Feb 27, 2008

$378 million schools bond on ballot

Measure would be slated to fix up 19 aging schools; community support already ramping up

By Kristina Peterson / Daily News Staff Writer

Moments after the Palo Alto School Board unanimously voted to place a $378 million facilities improvement bond on the June ballot, a team of residents announced an organized campaign to support it.

Designed to help bring Palo Alto's aging schools up to speed, the bond would both modernize buildings at 19 school sites and help to accommodate the district's rising enrollment by adding new classrooms, as well as replenishing technology equipment and setting aside maintenance funds.

If approved by 55 percent of Palo Alto residents, the bond measure will levy a fee on homeowners of $44.50 per each $100,000 of assessed value - the same tax rate residents already pay for the expiring 1995 bond.

At least one vocal group of residents is already expressing its support.

Boasting a team of three honorary co-chairs, four co-chairs and 30 volunteers, the Strong Schools for a Strong Community campaign is "ready to go," co-chair Samir Tuma said Tuesday night.

The group's confidence that the school board would approve putting the bond on the ballot mirrored the board's faith that the community will in turn pass the bond measure in June.

Many of the board's final concerns addressed at Tuesday night's meeting concerned how the district would proceed after the bond is passed and whether enough work is being done now in anticipation of its success.

Superintendent Kevin Skelly assured the board that district staff was already planning for its implementation.

Co-chief Business Official Bob Golton, who agreed to temporarily return from retirement last year, will stay on for at least one more year as the project's "point person," Skelly said. After June, the district will also hire more staff to manage the construction projects, he said.

Stressing how quickly the district will work, Skelly suggested a board meeting for the morning following the election to approve a bid for the new pool at Gunn High School.

"We want to show immediate benefits with these dollars," Golton said.

While in concept the bond has been nearly free of controversy, both Skelly and Golton said certain projects may require tough decisions down the road. Most notably, the future use or renovation of Palo Alto High School's Tower building, built in 1918, will likely pit historical preservationists against those ready to find a new use for the site, Skelly said.

"At this point, we're not clear on what should be done," Golton said, adding that community input will be taken before a decision is made.

A string of parents and residents spoke at the meeting to lend support to the bond.

Melissa Anderson, a district parent and former Palo Alto student, said the schools have not seen much change since she went through them.

"Not a lot has changed since the mid-'70s in our district," she said.

Several district teachers also said new facilities could dramatically impact their classes.

"A new theater really is imperative to meet the instructional needs," said Kathleen Woods, the drama instructor at Palo Alto High School.

The board members passed the resolution to place the bond on the June ballot with a chorus of affirmations.

"We are not looking for a gold-plated car," said Board Member Camille Townsend. "We are looking for some really functional buildings."



E-mail Kristina Peterson at kpeterson@dailynewsgroup.com.