Abstract
Problem and purpose. California public schools are challenged by an unprecedented demand for new school facilities to meet an exploding student population. The purpose of this study was to identify policy alternatives for providing new K-12 public school facilities in California for the 1990s. Methodology. A modified descriptive study referred to as policy analysis examined policy alternatives generated by a 24-member expert panel. The expert panel participated in an iterative process using a three round Delphi Technique. A Cross Impact Matrix was used in round three. Findings and conclusions. Five policy alternatives were identified by a consensus of the expert panel as having high impact and a high probability of occurrence. Local majority vote of General Obligation Bonds provided the strongest potential for meeting the new school facility needs of the 1990s. Other highly ranked policy alternatives included: majority vote for Mello-Roos Bonds, incentive funds for year round schools, increase in the size capacity of schools, and local school districts fund 50 percent of new facilities. The expert panel preferred local policy alternatives to State dominated solutions. The current statewide policies for funding new school facilities were viewed as inadequate to meet the needs of the 1990s. Local school districts will be faced with the challenge of finding funding alternatives as the magnitude of the problem grows beyond the scope and capacity of the State to serve as the primary solution. The decade of the 1990s will be a time of self-help for local school districts. Recommendations. Local majority vote on General Obligation Bonds represents the cornerstone to providing a solution to the growing need for new school facilities. The authority and responsibility for providing new school facilities should be redirected to the local district with the State serving in a supportive role. Policy makers should consider the development of a new State and local school district partnership that promotes self-help with the State serving to equalize and supplement local solutions.