There is the language in the board’s resolution that states: Inclusion of a project on the bond project list is not a guarantee that the project will be completed (regardless of whether the funds are available).” This language protects the district, not our community.
An example of using this language from Measure I1 is the district’s statement that TK classrooms are being required by the state. But the state indicates that TK-K allows retrofitting of current classrooms. And while these classrooms are supposedly being built from Measure I1 funds, there is no language for TK classrooms in the measure. If the district redraws boundaries, and if the district is losing enrollment, why wouldn’t we retrofit existing classrooms? Why are we adding “3-5 classrooms” at already impacted schools like Donlon and Fairlands? And if the statement is accurate, 3-5 classrooms at nine elementary schools is 27-40 classrooms. It takes 28 classrooms for a four-strand TK-5 elementary school (four classrooms per grade level). 35 classrooms would be a five-strand elementary.
There is new housing in planning for Stoneridge Mall that will impact Donlon and Fairlands. There is funding in Measure I for tearing down Amador High’s theater. While Village High needs a new facility, there is funding in the measure for building a two-story Educational Options Center for, essentially, 100 attending students. There is purposely vague language in the bond list that states “modernize, upgrade, renovate, rehabilitate, replace, re-configure, expand, acquire, construct . . .” There is Foothill High’s theater that removes, but does not replace, parking for teachers.
There is the cost, a tax, which is listed at $49 per $100,000 of assessed valuation with no mention that it is in addition to the $49 per $100,000 of assessed valuation we currently are paying on Measure I1. That is $980 per $1,000,000 of assessed valuation, per year.
Please consider telling the district to rethink the vague language and amount they are asking for by voting No on Measure I. https://measurei.org