There’s a measure on the March 2 ballot that will allow California voters to decide whether to approve a more-than $12 billion bond for the construction and modernization of public elementary, secondary and higher education facilities, from kindergarten through college.

That’s all well and good, but what does that mean for us?

It means an estimated $136 million for Stanislaus County, with nearly half of the cost of construction of the new Medeiros Elementary and Walnut Elementary Education Center in Turlock covered by the bond.

In addition, more than half of the $1.2 million needed to modernize Dutcher Middle School will be paid for by the bond.

But wait, there’s more.

Prop 55 funds will also ensure that students at California State University, Stanislaus are on an equal footing with their peers when it comes to surviving in today’s technology-driven economy.

Nearly $8 million will be earmarked for curriculum-based equipment for the new Science II Building. Without it, the soon-to-be-completed structure would be nothing more than an expensive empty shell.

Now, let’s take a step back in time a couple of years.

In 2002, the California State Legislature approved a two-part statewide bond package to repair, upgrade and build new schools.

The first half of the package, Proposition 47, was passed that November. By the beginning of this year, nearly all of those funds have been committed to thousands of projects across the state.

The March 2 ballot contains the second part of this statewide bond package, which will help carry out the goal of modernization and construction.

But passage has an added bonus - it will prove to be a direct investment in the state’s economy as well as create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

There’s nothing more important than investing in the future of our communities - and the place to start is with education.

On Tuesday we urged voters to pass Proposition 57, which hopes to give California’s leaders the tools to restore confidence in the state’s financial management.

In a nutshell, Prop 57 will take care of our past mistakes; Prop 55 is an investment in our future.

Vote yes on Proposition 55.