In 2002, California voters OK'd a $13.1 billion bond to begin the massive task of upgrading the state's aging school buildings. Now, two years later, voters are being asked to approve the second piece of this two-part school bond package, Proposition 55, a $12.3 billion measure to further alleviate the problem of rundown classrooms and the need for new schools.

The Star Editorial Board supported the 2002 bond and we endorse its companion measure, Proposition 55, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004, that is before voters on the March 2 ballot.

The need is staggering. California has the third-most-overcrowded schools in the nation -- one in every three California students attends an overcrowded school. In addition, it's estimated there will be 1 million new students in the state by 2010, necessitating another 22,000 classrooms. Most of the $10 billion designated for kindergarten through 12th grade would go to accommodate those students in new schools.

A smaller amount will go to fixing thousands of existing classrooms -- many more than 25 years old -- in need of basic repairs such as fixing roofs, renovating outdated bathrooms and installing heating/air-conditioning systems. Proposition 55 is needed to help local schools pay for this much-needed work.

Proposition 55 is supported by a lengthy list of organizations from the California Taxpayers' Association and the California Chamber of Commerce to the California Business Roundtable and the California PTA. Local school districts and elected officials such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assemblywomen Hannah-Beth Jackson and Fran Pavley are also behind the measure.

Proposition 55 breaks down like this: The biggest chunk, some $10 billion, goes to elementary and secondary schools (included in that figure is $2.4 billion designated specifically for new schools/classrooms in districts that are considered critically overcrowded); $920 million for community colleges; and $690 million each for California State University and University of California campuses.

The money provided by Proposition 55 would match local dollars raised by local school bonds -- such as Measure C4 being proposed by the Simi Valley Unified School District also on the March 2 ballot -- and developer fees. School districts must put up 50 percent of new construction costs and 40 percent of repairs to existing school facilities to receive Proposition 55 money.

Proposition 55 provides plenty of fiscal accountability to prevent waste and mismanagement. The funds cannot be spent on salaries or other administrative costs and projects are subject to regular audits at both the state and local levels.

A yes vote on Proposition 55 is also an investment in the economy. Studies show the measure will create thousands of new construction jobs throughout the state.

It's simply not acceptable that many students in our public schools, colleges and universities are being asked to achieve in rundown, overcrowded classrooms. Such environments are not conducive to learning and meeting higher standards being demanded of students at all levels.

Contained within Proposition 55 is the future of the state's educational system.

A yes vote will help secure that future.