EDITORIAL : YES ON SCHOOL BOND ISSUES; A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT IN MOORPARK AND THOUSAND OAKS CAMPUSES.

VOTERS in eastern Ventura County will go to the polls Tuesday for two separate school bond elections.

After considering the needs and weighing the arguments of supporters and opponents of the bond measures, the Daily News recommends yes votes for both.

There are pressing needs in both school districts that would be aided with revenue from these bond issues.

In the Conejo Valley Unified School District, which includes Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, much work is needed to fix leaks in roofs and to repair and modernize classrooms, restrooms and libraries.

If Measure V passes, the district also will be able to add classrooms and continue class-size reduction, air condition classrooms, and build gymnasiums and a swimming pool.

The Moorpark Unified School District has large needs, too.

Moorpark's population has boomed, and enrollment has multiplied. Millions of dollars are needed for new classrooms, science labs and a gym at Moorpark High School. Other campuses need expansion and renovation.

Both bond issues put the districts in an excellent position to seek state matching funds, which are available.

If voters approve Measure W, property owners in the Conejo Valley district will pay an extra $24 a year per $100,000 of their property's assessed valuation.

If Measure V passes, property owners in the Moorpark district will pay an extra $29 a year per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Both school districts have given credible explanations of how they plan to use the money.

Both districts are of manageable size, so their leaders can be held accountable. Decisionmakers are accessible to parents and taxpayers who want to see that the money is used properly.

The Conejo Valley district also created a watchdog panel of community residents - an excellent step.

Critics contend that voters already gave their verdicts by rejecting identical proposals in November. They say it's wrong to put the measures on the ballot again so quickly, especially in a special election at additional public expense.

But both measures came very close to passing in November, falling narrowly short of the two-thirds majority needed. With so much community support and with the schools' conditions growing worse by the day, it was logical for supporters to try again and soon.

In the end, the arguments against the bonds are outweighed by the schools' needs.

At stake is the education of our children and the well-being of the community. A yes vote is a wise investment.

MEASURE V AT A GLANCE

Here is a summary of Measure V on the April 14 ballot in the Conejo Valley Unified School District:

School bond issue: Would authorize the district to issue $97 million of bonds to renovate and repair school buildings, modernize them and build facilities such as a pool, gymnasiums and classrooms.

The Daily News recommends: Yes

MEASURE W AT A GLANCE

Here is a summary of Measure W on the April 14 ballot in the Moorpark Unified School District:

School bond issue: Would authorize the district to issue $16 million of bonds, mostly to accommodate enrollment growth by providing more classrooms and other facilities, and to modernize schools.

The Daily News recommends: Yes

CAPTION(S):

2 Boxes

Box: (1) MEASURE V AT A GLANCE (See Text)

(2) MEASURE W AT A GLANCE (See Text)