Good people can disagree and, friends at The Salinas Californian, I disagree with your opposition to Proposition 55. A "yes" vote on Proposition 55 is essential if California is to keep the machine that provides California's economic stimulus running. The time to improve our schools is now. Our kids can't wait and the economy of California can't wait. Interest rates are at an all time low, schools in our neighborhoods are overcrowded, and the huge, influx of students continues.

The Californian's editorial suggests that the state wait to provide funds to repair schools and universities in California until it can "afford it." Waiting not only robs students of the educational environment in which they can learn but it ends up costing more in the long run. We've waited too long to repair our schools. In fact, 73 percent of California classrooms are more than 25 years old. California has the third most overcrowded classrooms in the nation. And, 1 million children attend schools with broken bathrooms.

Proposition 55 would mean millions of dollars for schools right here in the Salinas Valley. It means $15.5 million in new construction to Salinas elementary schools, more than $33 million in new construction to expand for a rapidly growing student population in the Salinas Union High School District, and $18.5 million to CSU Monterey Bay to replace gas and electric systems that date back to World War II.

Not only will Proposition 55 improve the learning environment, but money spent on our schools spins off into jobs that stimulate the local economy --now when we need them most.

It's not just today's students who need improved schools. The state needs 22,000 more classrooms in the next five years to meet enrollment increases in addition to maintenance and modernization needs.

You can vote for Proposition 55 with confidence that strict accountability measures will ensure that funds get spent directly on school repair and construction, not on waste and mismanagement. Independent audits, cost controls and annual reviews provide strict accountability over every school project funded by Proposition 55.

That's why the California Taxpayers' Association says "Proposition 55 is a fiscally responsible way to finance school ... construction."

Respected fiscal watchdog groups like the California Chamber of Commerce and the state treasurer agree that California and its economy can afford Proposition 55. More important, these same groups all agree that our kids and our economy cannot afford to wait to pass this important measure.

Join parents, teachers, business leaders, seniors, taxpayer groups and community leaders and help us pass Proposition 55 on March 2.

SUSAN J. MATCHAM lives in Salinas.