The school district as a whole may have breathed a deep sigh of relief when Proposition 92 failed to pass in California last Tuesday.

With the governor proposing budget cuts of 10 percent to education and other statewide programs, the competition for funds that would have resulted from an initiative seeking to financially bolster California's community college system had just arrived at an unfortuitous time for local schools.

While Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had intended 2008 to be the year of education, a state fiscal crisis of $14.5 billion and counting has instead made this the year of painful cutbacks. Statewide education spending would be cut by $4.8 billion in a state that already ranks 46th in per-pupil spending, averaging nearly $2,000 less per student than most states. Amador County is also in danger of losing $277,000 in federal forest reserve funds it has received for years, as well as $25,000 in technical education grants.

The Amador County Unified School District is already nursing what it has termed "significant unmet facility needs," prompting consideration last week of a $25 million to $35 million general obligation bond that could be targeted for the June ballot.

At the same school board meeting that trustees decided to oppose a proposed casino deal with the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, which included a $93,000 "impact payment" to county schools, Superintendent Mike Carey gauged the interest of trustees in pursuing the "moderate sized" bond for elections in either June or February.

"We have two upcoming opportunities to put this on the ballot," he said.

The last time the county passed a bond for its schools was in November 2002, when voters approved Measure F, which brought in a total of $28 million, $16 million of which was provided by the state. While it's doubtful the school district could get the same level of matching funds from the state, the board agreed to hear a formal proposal at its Feb. 27 meeting. To make the June 3 ballot, the district would need to call the election by mid-March.

That window of opportunity seemed a little narrow to some school board members, but the process for preparing the 2002 bond measure began that August for the November election, which is the same three-month timeframe the district has right now.

Timing is an obstacle in another way. Just like the community colleges were turned back by state voters, Carey said there were several possible complications to pursuing borrowed money.

"I think maybe one of the biggest obstacles we're facing, come May or June, people are going to realize what a difficult year we're (in)," he said.

Thus far, Carey said he's looked mostly at the cons: The bond wouldn't be able to completely offset the "huge" budget reductions the governor is proposing and the current economic climate makes potential bond purchasers wary of assuming that risk. "California as a whole looks shaky to investors," Carey added.

Complicating things further is that the district doesn't have the money to poll prospective voters about their willingness to approve such a bond.

Still, there are a few reasons to be hopeful. The last bond was an unqualified success, Carey said, and fits a strategy that looks at schools improvements incrementally, with moderate-sized bonds every few years.

"Everything we promised voters in 2002, we've done and we've done in spades," Carey said.

The district promised not to exceed $20 in assessed value per year and has stayed well below that, at $14. There is an opportunity for matching funds through joint use projects, like multi-purpose rooms that can be used both by the school and the community. And the possible improvements, like replacing modular classrooms, would be "a big improvement."

The district currently uses several portables that are perceived to be health hazards and energy eaters.

The success of another bond could rest on the excitement generated by the inclusion of what Carey called "showcase items," tangible projects that voting parents could latch onto. Some possibilities that were floated last week included multi-purpose rooms for Amador High School, Jackson Junior High, Plymouth and Pine Grove elementary schools, possibly even Jackson Elementary. Athletic fields would be considered a "wild card," Carey said though one passed in Windsor with that being the big ticket item. Carey was also heartened by the passage of other school bond measures across the state last week, including one for the Stockton Unified School District. Still, he acknowledged, "it can be tougher in June."

According to board Clerk Karl Knobelauch, aiming for June rather than February might be preferable, however. Knobelauch said the school district would be wise to make use of the retiring Carey, who was instrumental in getting the last bond passed but will have stepped down by the time the district begins preparing for the February ballot.

"That's why I think we should go for February," quipped board Trustee David Dutra. "Then he can't leave."