Though never a sure thing, there was a time when passing a multibillion-dollar construction bond measure to repair and renovate schools was a much safer bet in California.

That was before the state's massive budget crisis was converted into tangible spending cuts, and before the new governor unveiled his own measure calling for the issuance of $15 billion in bonds to refinance the state's debt.

In 1998, Proposition 1A easily sailed through with 62 percent of the vote, funneling $9.2 billion to school construction projects.

Four years later, the $13 billion Proposition 47 garnered about 59 percent on Election Day.

The latest statewide Field Poll survey shows that Proposition 55, a $12.3 billion sequel to Proposition 47 that's set to appear on Tuesday's ballot, is backed by 51 percent of likely voters.

And although that number has held steady through January and February, the percentage of those opposing Proposition 55 has risen from 36 percent to 40 percent, according to the nonpartisan poll.

That's a concern to school officials in the South Bay, where local districts stand to benefit from tens of millions of dollars to help build new schools and modernize old ones.

Projects have uncertain future

Though educators were breathing easy just a few months ago, many are now faced with the possibility of altering or shelving projects already in the works.

Said Lawndale schools chief Joe Condon: "If it doesn't go through, we have a lot of plans to change."

The Lawndale School District has in place a two-pronged strategy to accommodate student growth that relies on funds already secured from 2002's bond measure as well as money anticipated from this year's proposition.

Using Proposition 47 money, officials are in the early stages of building a new 520-student elementary school on the site of the old First Congregational Church on 147th Street.

Meanwhile, cash from Proposition 55 -- about $5 million -- has been earmarked to convert nearby Addams Elementary School on 153rd Place into a middle school, complete with a new gym.

Without the second of the two measures, the entire plan falls apart, Condon said. Still, he's optimistic.

"The public has generally been supportive of school bonds, recognizing that schools built 50, 60 years ago need to be upgraded," he said.

"Hopefully that attitude will continue."

The Redondo Beach Unified School District in 2000 passed its own bond measure worth $52 million to overhaul its campuses. But it did so expecting the state to chip in for approximately 35 percent of its total costs.

Earlier this week, RBUSD board members passed a resolution supporting Proposition 55, saying it's the key to an extra $25.8 million.

That money has already been earmarked for modernization projects at a half-dozen campuses, according to Janet Redella, the district's business manager.

Schools, she said, are in line for everything from interior redesigns and electrical upgrades to renovations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Redondo Beach has completed similar projects at Adams and Parras middle schools as well as Washington Elementary School. But if Proposition 55 is rejected, modernization work will have to be reconsidered at Alta Vista, Beryl Heights, Birney, Jefferson, Madison and Tulita elementary schools.

As recently as several months ago, school officials in Redondo Beach were emboldened by polls that showed strong public support for Proposition 55, Redella said.

But, she said, the numbers slowly declined as the public became more aware of the state's dire financial picture.

Then came Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's economic recovery propositions, which also depend on borrowing.

On top of K-12 funding, Proposition 55 would also grant $920 million to the state's community colleges, $690 million to the University of California and $690 to the California State University system. (CSU has said it would use about $34 million of its share to remodel and expand the Educational Resource Center at its California State University, Dominguez Hills campus.

El Camino College near Torrance, meanwhile, is in line to get about $464,000 to expand its Learning Resource Center.)

But the lion's share, about $10 billion, will be divvied among the state's elementary, middle and high schools to erect new campuses, rebuild aging sites, repair restrooms, integrate technology and ensure that structures meet current earthquake and fire standards.

Some urge fiscal responsibility

Though there is no organized opposition to Proposition 55, critics such as state Sen. Rico Oller, R-San Andreas, urge a more fiscally responsible approach to paying for school facilities.

Writing the argument against the measure for the voter guide, he says legislators should set aside a small percentage of the state budget each year rather than taking on more debt.

Proponents, such as the California Teachers Association and the California Taxpayers Association, say it's not only responsible but crucial to use bonds to pay for safe, clean campuses.

Still, with the state having already issued a whopping $22.2 billion in school construction bonds over the last six years, and with billions more spent at local levels, some educators acknowledge voters may be growing weary of passing bonds.

"Maybe a little," said state schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell during a recent visit to the South Bay, "but I'm optimistic. I still think it passes."

According to O'Connell, 60 percent of California's schools are at least 30 years old. And, he said, the state already has a backlog of approximately $320 million worth of projects that need funding.

"Proposition 55 is critical for us," O'Connell said.

Different area needs

It's certainly critical for Bruce McDaniel, superintendent of the Lennox School District. Lennox is counting on about $30 million in construction funds to build a new campus for its charter high school, the Lennox Math, Science and Technology Academy.

Several miles away, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District is hoping to get a little more than $1 million.

That money could be used to help fill a $3 million construction shortfall caused by a string of projects that expanded beyond their initial scope, said finance chief Stephen McMahon.

Or it could be used to help pay for a library or performing arts center that was promised at Mira Costa High School before construction funds dried up.

The mammoth Los Angeles Unified School District alone is eligible for $1.45 billion in state matching funds, including more than $17 million for schools in Carson, Gardena, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro and Wilmington, according to the "Yes on 55" Web site.

In El Segundo, however, the figure is much smaller. Schools chief Bruce Auld said his district could get $160,000 to $180,000 in matching funds to supplement its $24 million Measure C bond, which helped renovate four schools after its passage in 1997.

Auld said the money would likely be used to restore projects that were scaled back during construction.

As examples, he said the district didn't have enough cash to replace a concession stand at the high school stadium, nor did it have enough to install air conditioning at the middle school.

"It's not big money when you're thinking in the millions," Auld said, "but it all helps."