(See pdf with spreadsheet here.)
As we get closer to Election Day on Tuesday, supporters of Measure CC, the school bond issue, will be bombarding local voters with absolutes and predictions of dire consequences in case of defeat. They will claim the sky will fall if Measure CC doesn't pass.
Bet On It
They don't tell readers that there will be another bond on November’s ballot if CC fails. Bet on it. Next election, the School Board's proposal will be more reasonably priced, less gimmicky in its financial structure, less costly to our community.
Affordability is Good
“Viewing it from my professional perspective,” Michael Hamill writes, “I can confidently state that a ‘yes’ vote on Measure CC is the right choice for Culver City voters.”
No one doubts that most Culver City homeowners can afford to pay the $48 tax rate on their property.
Burden to Bear
I question the School Board’s wisdom in proposing putting our small community in a debt of over a quarter-billion dollars and the local effect this massive liability — the largest ever incurred by Culver City — would bring over the next 30 years.
Hyperbole
Here is another example –
Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin writes in her letter of 5/29 UPCC: Here, in Detail, Is Why Measure CC Is a Prudent Fiscal Solution:
“Tight budgets have made it impossible for our School District to maintain and upgrade our campuses. That is unsurprising considering that per-student funding for K-12 education in California ranks well below the national average.”
Surprising Numbers
I guess she was writing from her own perspective. She might find it even more startling if she knew that while our School District was shirking its responsibility to maintain our school facilities adequately these past 10 years, it was adding almost $22M to its Governmental Fund between the years 2003 and 2011. (See spreadsheet above.)
It is misleading to say it was impossible to maintain our school facilities, when the District was socking away almost $7M in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Remember 2009?
Wasn't that the year when the District said it was in dire need of funding to tide us over through the Great Recession and asked the community for help in passing Measure EE, the $96, $1.2M parcel tax.
While they were begging voters for dollars, they forgot to tell us that our School District was socking away the $7M.
Hmm. Doesn't that have a familiar ring?
Just say no to Measure CC.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
