Like the couple that will have to drive the family clunker another year before buying a new car, California, too, will have to send its children to existing schools and hold off on more education spending.

That means a "no" vote on Proposition 55.

The measure is well-intended but ill-timed. At this time we simply can't afford a $12.3-billion bond to build and repair campuses for students from kindergarten through the university. It would be a fiscal mistake to increase the state's bond indebtedness given the current budget crisis.

Proponents of Proposition 55 say, "Our kids deserve clean, safe classrooms if we expect them to succeed. California needs to invest in ... the future of our children. Fixing rundown classrooms and building new schools to reduce overcrowding is one way to help students improve test scores and meet higher standards."

OK, but voting "no" on Proposition 55 is not bailing out on our public schools. Rather, it is a prudent decision at a time when the state needs to stop spending beyond its resources.

When we could afford it, voters approved Proposition 47 in 2002, the precursor to this measure. Lawmakers told us a Proposition 55 would be needed down the road. It's here but the timing is bad.

Salinas-area school districts are all struggling with their budgets. Most districts are considering teacher layoffs, increasing class sizes, even closing some schools. Though they may be eligible for Proposition 55 funds in the next two years, how many of these districts would be able to come up with the required 40 percent in matching funds?

It's true that many schools have infrastructure needs such as better plumbing, more technology, more classrooms, cafeterias etc. These things are important. They do add to the learning climate. And they will, but not just right now.

IMPACT

This $12.3 billion bond issue would provide funding for education to relieve crowding and repair older schools. Funds would be targeted to areas of the greatest need and must be spent according to accountability measures. Funds will also be used to upgrade and build new classrooms in the community colleges, state university, and University of California. Fiscal impact: State costs of about $24.7 billion to pay off both the principal ($12.3 billion) and interest ($12.4 billion) costs on the bonds. Payments of about $823 million per year.