El Camino's infrastructure could be in dire need of repairs if Proposition 2 passes

Californians will vote tomorrow on House Bill 247, also known as Proposition 2, which could allow public schools and community colleges to borrow $10 billion in bonds to build and modernize public education facilities finance.

Proposition 2 will provide $8.5 billion for K-12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges across California if passed on the Nov. 5 ballot.

El Camino College could use the funds to repair and possibly replace the campus's water system, which uses pipes to pump water through campus to heat and cool buildings.

Repairing the water system would cost about $8 million, the county would provide about $2 million, while the state would contribute $6 million if Proposal 2 is approved.

Due to a water supply disruption last year, the Administration Building and Schauerman Library were closed November 16-18. The temperature in the buildings dropped, resulting in cold interior temperatures.

“It impacted our operations for a day or two,” said Kerri Webb, director of public information and government relations. “If we get the money from Proposition 2 and it passes, we will completely replace the entire water system.”

Webb said infrastructure problems at ECC stem from outdated facilities.

“The college is about 78 years old,” Webb said.

Voters rejected Proposition 13, a $15 billion bond measure proposed in March 2020 to fund and improve construction projects for K-12 schools and higher education institutions, including California Community Colleges, the California State University and the University systems of California.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposes Proposition 2, arguing that the bond would only increase California's debt.

“We are already in a budget emergency, and it is not a good time to add these additional expenses to the annual report when we are in a budget emergency,” said Susan Shelley, vice president of communications for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

As an alternative to bonds, Shelley said California could use state budget money to rehabilitate low-income schools that need significant maintenance upgrades.