Taxpayers association supports school bond
The Cardiff School District’s proposed $22 million dollar school improvement bond, Measure GG, received support from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) last week.
If approved by Cardiff voters, the measure would provide funding to rebuild, upgrade and renovate District facilities, to improve energy efficiency, and to modernize and enhance student learning environments, according to the District’s news release.
In the nine-page summary report regarding the Cardiff facilities improvement measure, the SDCTA stated that, “the Cardiff School District proposed bond measure meets key provisions of SDCTA’s Bond Support Criteria.”Its report — which can be found in full at www.sdcta.org/policy/policy-detail.html?id=1768 — went on to say that “The application submitted by the District outlines the need of the District, plans, and draft budgets for each of the proposed projects.
“The descriptions of the projects submitted and outlined by the District in the Master Plan have been thoroughly vetted, and no reason has been found that would prevent the District from executing the projects. While SDCTA has received objections to the support of the Cardiff School District proposed bonds from the Encinitas Taxpayers Association, we believe that the District has fully documented its needs and program intent to replace portable classrooms with permanent facilities, make improvements and upgrade facilities.”
SDCTA was founded in 1945 to provide an independent civic organization to monitor government spending and efficiency. According to the association’s website, public opinion polls consistently rank SDCTA as the most influential and trusted public policy institution in San Diego.
The SDCTA has a thorough, 15-criteria process that school districts and other municipal agencies are expected to meet. Not all municipalities receive their endorsement.
“After a rigorous process that included the submission of a detailed plan as well as a presentation to SDCTA, we resoundingly met the high bar established by the Taxpayers Association and are honored to receive their support,” Cardiff School District Superintendent Jill Vinson said in the release.
Board President Mark Whitehouse added “The support of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association should give local voters peace of mind that Measure GG is a responsible, prudent program that will benefit the students of Cardiff as well as the community.”
In the year 2000, 80 percent of Cardiff voters approved a school improvement measure to rebuild one of the district schools, Ada Harris Elementary School, which at that time was 42 years old.
According to the district news release, a substantial portion of Measure GG will rebuild classrooms and replace buildings at Cardiff Elementary that are 55 to 65 years old. Also included in the plan are replacing leaky roofs, renovating or replacing deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems, and upgrading inadequate electrical systems. Health, safety and security improvements as well as projects promoting energy efficiency with solar, sustainable buildings, and replacement of inefficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are also part of the proposal.
— Submitted press release