San Marino’s school board will vote on Feb. 13 to determine if a general obligation bond election to fund a proposed district-wide facilities modernization project will go on the June 5 ballot, but several community members cast their verbal ballots at Tuesday’s meeting. A standing room-only crowd packed the district office board room for the public comment section before the board heard the first reading of the proposed bond, which would seek $148 million and require 55% voter approval to pass.
Though many of the speakers claimed they were currently neither for or against the proposed bond, nine urged caution during the 20 minutes allotted for discussion on the matter.
“I have serious concerns about giving a $148 million blank check to the district,” said San Marino resident Jane Chuang, who also questioned the prioritization of the districtwide project for which the total tab exceeds $200 million.
Chuang said she cannot locate the results of a 2016 survey of the community that was taken by the district and wondered if there had been any input from local PTAs.
“This process should build unity,” Chuang said, who also suggested the district hold two town hall meetings to inform the community in advance of Feb. 13, when the board will take a formal vote on whether or not to move forward with the bond election.
See this week’s issue of The Tribune for the full story on this week’s Board of Education meeting centered on the bond project.
