More than one hundred community members showed up on Monday evening at the Hill-Harbison House to hear information about and speak their mind in regards to the San Marino Unified School District’s proposed $148 million facilities modernization project, which the school board has placed on its February 13 agenda for a vote that could put the item before voters as soon as Tue., June 5.
The town hall meeting, which was hosted by a citizen group called San Marino Schools Participation Forum, sought feedback to questions some residents feel have gone unanswered in advance of the school board’s possible vote on Tuesday.
“I feel like Justin Timberlake,” Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said, referencing the Super Bowl halftime performer, as he delivered his opening comments. “I have to get in all of my good songs in a short period of time.”
Cherniss mentioned the district’s “old, outdated facilities” and a $90 million deferred maintenance bill that will come due in the next ten years. The district has identified $20 million of maintenance projects that are “essential,” according to the superintendent, including the replacement of HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other infrastructure items.
“How this gets done is up to the school board and the community,” Cherniss said. “It’s my job to tell them what we need.”
The project includes improvements at all four sites that include new classrooms, heating, air conditioning, a cafeteria at Valentine Elementary School and a list of projects at San Marino High School.
Though several in the standing room-only audience seemed to support the project, the majority seem to still want answers. Robin Puri, a mother of two San Marino students, felt that the district’s wish list included non-necessary projects.
“How did they get to $148 million?” Puri asked.
She also stated her concern that a proposed new performing arts center and swimmimng pool at San Marino High School would be built while the replacement of portable classrooms at Carver and Velentine Elementary Schools would get pushed to the bottom of the priority list.
Lora Wagner questioned why Keygent Advisors, the financial advisory firm, retained by the SMUSD to provide guidance on the project, had received a cease and decist order.
“They notified the borad immediately,” said Cherniss in response. “And the board was comfortable in moving forward with them.”
Dale Pederson questioned the timing of the project and insisted the board consider putting the bond before voters in November rather than June. He also pointed out that three school board members will be up for election in November, further complicating the matter.
“Whether or not they will be different I don’t know,” Pederson said. “But it should be up to the new ones. It’s better of we wait until November.”
Citizen Gene Ruckh complained that community memnbers are still paying off $52 million of bonds that were passed by voters in 1996 and 2000.
Thomas Tai, who graduated from Sasn Marino High School in 2013 and recently received a diploma from UCLA, also questioned the wisdom of moving forward at the current place.
“I had a great experience at San Marino High School because I had excellent teachers,” Tai said. “If we should spend money, why should we spend money on ahything other than the basics?”
He also advised against demolishing the current performing arts center.
Jim Barger said he has been living in San Marino “since I came home from te hospital.”
“This is our town,” Barger said. “I continue to pay and be apart of this town.”
He said he was “disappointed” in the tone of tbe meeting and at one point challenged someone in attendance who he felt had spoken negatively about one of his friends.
“If you don’t like this, don’t pick on the people in your town. Go up to Sacramento and complain there.”
Julie Chan Lin, who organized the meeting, was pleased with the results.
“The strong turnout with six days notice shows that people are interested in what’s going on in the school district,” Lin said in a message. “The discussion continues and the community looks forward to further dialogue with the district.”
A dailogue that is sure to be continued on Tuesday.
Citizens Seek Answers to Bond Project Questions
