Vote against a school bond? How can anyone argue that? It would truly take a most unusual circumstance to motivate such a position. Well, sadly, that’s where we find ourselves in the Los Altos School District.
The $150 million bond must cover needs through 2024, due to the legal maximum on bonding capacity. We must squeeze every bit out of this round of capital. The district lists over $350 million in need, which does even address growth beyond 2018. Allegedly focused on enrollment growth, the identified projects are heavy with those not increasing capacity. At one point, the superintendent suggested limiting spending on new schools to $50 million.
We are fortunate that no identified need is truly pressing. At the seven elementary schools, the average 2014-15 enrollment has risen by just six to reach 501 per school. Back in 2003-04, we saw that average at 512 students. If we could handle that size back then, what is the rush? This year, most of the growth was in junior high. We luckily have reserve capacity there. At the junior highs, we have the charter school on distinct sub sites. We have operated like this for many years, with great performance from the schools.
Waiting will allow planning. We need a road map for capital needs over 10 years. LASD sees growth to 5,900 students in 2018, from 5,100 last year. What about the years beyond? This estimate assumes no new residential zoning for the San Antonio Center area of Mountain View. What if changes zone more residences there? That could have effects even before 2018. Let’s not plunge ahead with $30 million redoing libraries and multipurpose rooms. Hold off on $25 million in outdoor improvements. With 60-year-old buildings, we need a strategic master plan for long-term usefulness. Can we afford new land? Could we not put two schools on some existing sites? Do we want to shift sixth grade to middle school? How will that affect the school sizes? Do we realize all the plans foresee many portables continuing in use? Many questions remain.
The LASD board sets contradictory expectations for this bond. Board members first talked of a bond in 2012. It sponsored a multiple stakeholder Enrollment Growth Task Force which recommended two new schools. Many people eagerly anticipate these new schools. LASD has hinted at using eminent domain to acquire land. It has threatened the city of Los Altos Community Center. It has indicated possible use of eminent domain in the San Antonio Center area. Recently, it had unresolved discussions about paving over parks to construct schools. The big problem for any new school has been locating land. Will we see two new schools?
The true goal is achievable, but we must be extremely careful. More time for planning will help greatly. Permanent growth solutions can wait briefly. The rush is to spend for things which we may not be able to afford. Focus the spending on growth. It’s frankly too early to approve this bond.
David Roode is a resident of the Los Altos School District.
