Raymond wrote on Apr 9, 2008 1:54 PM:OUSD board members, teachers and Colleen O'Harra should be ashamed of themselves for trying to take more money from the citizens. People are losing their jobs and having to cut way back. Some have to move out of the area. Why didn't they use the money from the first bond more wisely? Shame on all of you!

Taxpayer wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:08 PM:Most of the money being raised for the school bond in Oceanside is from the construction industry that will not only benefit from the work but also from the "cost overruns" that will be paid them with taxpayer's money.

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 9, 2008 2:58 PM:As long as NO Illegal's are in our schools I WILL support the bond.
Otherwise NO. We turned down the TriCity hospital bond for that reason.

Phase Two a New Idea? wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:16 PM:Is this "phase two" of the bond project a new idea of did the district know they had additional requirements when they went out for the first bond? The District got $125 million the first time, why didn't they prioritize the work? Why come back now and ask for another $130 million? Seems that they know that you can eat an elephant with small bites. No one would have voted for an original bond of $255 million, why do they think people will by two bonds at $255 million? Seems that priorities were not established and now a bail out is needed to "equalize" the district. This is either an example of poor planing or deceptive original funding requests.

Fund Repairs? wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:20 PM:School districts are funded by the state for deferred maintenance repairs. This should not be a bond item. I have seen this plot over and over again. Show some pealing paint, ceiling tile stains, a broken window or two and ask for $125 million in repairs. Please do not insult us. Budget the repairs like every other school district through the state deferred maintenance fund which matches local contributions one to one.

JALISCO wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:30 PM:To Dave from Oceanside: You seem to see an "illegal alien" everywhere you look. The Tri City hospital bond proposal was approved by over 65% of the voters twice. It failed because the hospital district is too small, allowing many who use the hospital to escape the taxes. Undocumented migrants are but a tiny percentage of those using the ER at Tri City; this by the hospital's own statistics. That was NOT a major issue in either election. But some, like you, are are so obssessed with UUHHHHH, THE ILLEGALS, that you can't see the forest for the trees. And now, once again, you drag the same red herring into a school bond proposal. Shame on you and those like you. Thankfully, the Minutemen, and similar fringe elements, are but a tiny part of the general population! Get a life and grow up Dave. How anyone could be so inhumane and crass as to deny emergency medical care to ANYBODY is beyond comprehension. Many of those children whose parents are undocumented are themselves citizens of the United States, since they were born here!

Luci wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:32 PM:To Dave from Oceanside, Here's a proposal for you: How about we keep every child without legal US citizenship out of the educational process so they can continue to eat away at all you claim they do. Then these kids will grow up to be exactly what you claim they are. What would prefer, a child with an education and a chance at becoming a particpating member of society or an uneducated criminal on the streets? Your stance on educating illegal children needs to be analyzed more thoroughly to consider the effects of your narrow perspective.

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:06 PM:Keep talking Luci and Jalisco it is pretty obvious where your loyalties lie so your banter means nothing.

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:09 PM:If the “Day without an Illegal” last year taught me one thing, it is that the illegal’s are without a doubt holding their allegiance to Mexico.
The Mexican flag flying above an upside down AMERICAN flag in our, I repeat OUR, local schools showed the divisive culture that is festering in our schools and the nation.
If anyone should know better, it should be the history and American government teachers. Nations that become divided due to factions unwilling to assimilate are nations destined for failure. If you can’t fathom that logic, consider Canada and the precipice they are on due to separate cultures.
And these people are all legal Canadians. Another analogy would be having someone on your football team that is helping the opposing team. That team is doomed to failure.
The American people will no longer support any bonds destined for schools, or hospitals until this problem is recognized for what it is and eliminated.

to Lusi & Jalisco wrote on Apr 9, 2008 5:45 PM:Since your both have such obvious caring and altruistic personalities, especially with my money, why not send all you hard earned money across the border to support their infrastructure. Im sure you both would garner a sainthood catagory down there!

Come on! wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:34 PM:Come on Dave! Would you deprive all Oceanside kids of the opportunity to attend school in classrooms that are safe and equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century because some of the kids aren't citizens? Does it make sense to hold the majority of our kids hostage because a few of the "wrong" kids coulud benfit? Come on!

Nothing lasts forever... wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:42 PM:Especially schools. Even schools that are well maintained need to be brought up to date every THIRTY years or so. Most of our schools were built to meet the needs of education in the 60s. Maintenance funds maintain... bond money improves and modernizes. Nothing lasts forever or get better on it's own. Our school buidlings need to be brought into this century! By the way, state matching funds match bond money.

No Tax Increase wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:54 PM:Look closely at Prop H and you'll see that it doesn't raise your property taxes. This bond is actually asks for an extension of the current tax rate.

Reardon wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:46 PM:To No Tax Increase: So, a "No" vote means a tax decrease? That seems rational in a time that money is tight.

To Come on: Since there is a federal ruling that the illegal alien children must be educated, we must. However there is nothing that says they cannot be held in special classes until they are English proficient and thereby do not harm the academic (sic) classroom environment.

chickenlittle wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:49 PM:I'm with Dave on this. And to Come On, only a few? Come on yourself, it's a lot more than a few. Have you even been near a school lately? Have you talked to anyone who couldn't get into a program because it was "filled" already? It's a sad situation for our children, I'm so glad mine are done.

Can't escape it wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:06 PM:We property owners are going to be school-bonded to death, aren't we?

to No Tax Increase wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:26 PM:That's true, the tax rate won't increase and the statement about the tax rate being extended for decades is wrong, it will only extend 8 years.

Larry wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:22 AM:This "promise" to not increase the tax rate-- is this in the legal bond language? Often this type of statement is merely an estimate based on assumptions such as bond interest rates and the projected future district property tax base. The tax base isn't increasing now, is it? It is decreasing.

Chuck wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:11 AM:I voted in favor of the last bond issue because I could see the need for improvements and modernization for our schools. Without the necessary infrastructure you won't have the mechanism's available to learn the required functions to be able to succeed in todays business environment. Yes - costs went up but the number of children has dropped. Do we still have the requirement to modernize additional schools since enrollment has substantially dropped. I have not decided if I will support this or not.

Not a good time wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:20 AM:The economy is in the dump. People are losing jobs. School enrollment is down. And the school wants to, what, rebuild most of the existing schools? Something is not quite right with this picture. I say no more taxes.

to Reardon wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:49 AM:No, you don't understand. Prop H won't increase the tax RATE. A no vote won't mean a tax decrease. A yes on H means the bond will be paid off in 2043 instead of 2035. You won't see anything different on your tax bill if you vote no, but my kids will continue to go to school in classrooms where they can't use the computers and run the heater at the same time. Prop H is for modernization, not maintanence. I want my kids, who go to school in the wealthiest state in the country, to have the same educational advantages as the kids in every other state!
BTW: Not a good time-nothing is being rebuilt, do your homework before you embarrass yourself in a public forum.

Chuck wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:52 AM:Thank you for asking the first intelligent question yet. It's true, enrollment is dropping at some schools, but if you take a closer look, you'll see it is increasing at others and as the population of families with children move around the city, you'll see that some of our schools are expecting a substantial increase in student population next year.

Needed, but... wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:54 AM:No doubt there is a need to do a LOT of work at some of the schools, and that the increase in construction costs decreased the buying power from the last bond. The work that was completed with the last bond has been fantastic, and I was lucky enough to have kids at schools that benefited from the construction and upgrades. But, can the district say with confidence they can manage these projects efficiently? Yesterday there was a story about canceled busing for middle schoolers, a program that was reinstated last year in an economic environment that most realized was on the downturn. This lack of foresight is constantly seen in the way the school districts are managed. All they see is the money they have right now, and the needs they have right now, and they spend it like tomorrow will be the same as today. I think the worry that a good portion of the bond money will be wasted, or be insufficient to complete whatever tasks are set forth, is a real worry. I'm not sure I'd vote for this at this point either. The district is going to have to do some real convincing before I think enough will vote yes on this.

Sam wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:42 AM:Don't do it! Take a look a the "O" School Bond in the Vista school district, which also includes OCEANSIDE. It is a big disaster and it will not go away. Cost over runs, students attendance dropping, money for busing, etc. The cost of these bonds doesn't end, it creates another problem. People, who do you think pays for the bonds; WE DO! When they come to the door to sign a petition for a bond, close the door.

No to the Bond wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:28 AM:I will definately vote against any new bonds. It's time for the citizens to start spending their money wisely. It's obvious the district won't.

Public is clueless wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:47 AM:As long as the District used the same jokers who couldn't get the job done the first time, why would anyone expect all of the promises to be kept this time. The only change within the district, is now the person who was in charge of the completion of the first bond, is now a "consultant" for the 2nd bond. Might as well plan on a third bond, because history shows, they won't build all that they promise.

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:57 AM:If you buy a car with a loan for 5 years, you expect to pay off the loan in 5 years and not have another 5 years renegotiated onto the loan.
The logic being used here is typical of government entitlement accounting.
Once they get their fingers into your bank account it never ends, it like an addiction.
I love the "Oh you won't notice any change in you taxes", bull ...

Chicken Little was wrong. wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:11 PM:The sky isn't falling. Not every brown skinned kid is an illegal. The vast majority of the school kids in O'side are citizens. Would you deprive all of our kids of a quality education to keep the "wrong" kids from benefiting? Even if you don't care about "them", what about "us"?

Ever built a house? wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:15 PM:Everything costs more than your estimate. Construction costs have skyrocketed in the last 7 years. None of us has a crystal ball. The district and the citizens' oversight committee have been wonderful stewards of the public's money. Look at the work that has been done so far. Don't all of our kids deserve 21st century classrooms?

Is this the real problem? wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:23 PM:Nobody likes paying more. For the most part, people only agree to adequately fund schools if they have a direct interest (kids, grandkids). Schools are perpetually undercut in this country. My generation went through this in the 80's and 90's, the next generation will go through it, as well. Brown, white, black, yellow, green kids will continue to suffer through public education until the real problem is addressed: As a society, we don't really value education. We are a community of people that look out for ourselves and our families as long as we are directly impacted or threatened. Once that impetus is gone (graduation, in this case), so are our cares and our worries. Time for the next show, the next video game. Until actual reform takes place, this tiring routine will continue.
We should take a lesson from a country like Japan that truly values the education of their youth. We could learn much from their model.

dave from oceanside wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:16 PM:
With the government run school system failing to manage itself properly it's no wonder people can't budget their lives anymore.
What an example to give to your students, when all else fails ask daddy for more money without even considering the impact to him.
Spend more then you take in and then expect someone else, who has been acting responsibly, to bail your sorry buts out!
Trim the fat, and don't whine about were down to the bone I know better.

Reardon wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:37 PM:To To Reardon: How about the $1,200 FREE tax rebate the federal government is going to send your family in May? Why don't you, and others who support the bond signing over the unexpected personal tax windfall to your school, and thereby let the federal government fund the school? Since you were not expecting it, and there is no law against sending your own money to a school -- do it! Let us know how many of your friends joined you!

Do Away with Public Schools wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:34 PM:Public schools have outlived their usefulness. Public schools are notorious for producing a dumbed down populace. Since public schools are prohibited from teaching morality and religion, public schools serve as breeding centers for violence, drug use, and teen pregnancy. Why should we pay more for public schools? Tell those volunteers to raise the money they seek among themselves. Don't ask taxpayers to foot the bill.

Enrollment is down... wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:12 PM:but it isn't down to the point that you can simply move the kids off of every run down and out dated campus. The district has already closed four schools (San Rafael, Pacifica, Ditmar & Clair Burgner) that would have required modernization. The fact is we need all of the schools we have.

Look at Lincoln... wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:23 PM:Lincoln Middle School is a beautiful and aging campus. It has carefully been maintained over its 46 years, but it has never been modernized. Its electrical supply is inadequate for today's needs. The underground heating vents have collapsed and are blocked in many buildings. Indoor temperatures can climb into low 90s on hot days. Cables and conduit drape the walls and rooftops. This school has served the community well for decades. With modernization it will do so for decades more.

VIsta is Not OUSD wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:30 PM:Sam writes that we should look at Prop O in Vista. He goes on to say that Vista's bond includes Oceanside. Part of the city of Oceanside is in the Vista Unified School District. The Oceanside Unified School District is an entirely different school district. VUSD management problems have nothing to do with OUSD or with Prop H.

5th & 48th wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:38 PM:Why is it the 5th biggest economy in the WORLD ranked 48th in per pupil funding of its schools? How can we cram 35 to 40 kids into classrooms and expect world class results? And how is the fact that public schools that are continuing to get better and better results with less and less funding being missed by so many of you writing in this forum? Could it be that you have another agenda?

Needed AND... wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:26 PM:"Needed but" identifies some important issues. 1)Bond money can only be used for modernization and new construction. It cannot be used for buses and other operational expences. 2)The state's financial management system is flawed. It puts all local government agencies in a boom/bust stance. The legislature needs to act to stabilize the state budget year to year. 3)OUSD is one of the few districts that has worked to hold onto busing. Bringing back for middle school busing was an effort to support families. At the time, it looked sustainable. 4)Schools have to make decisions about budgets one year at a time and (by law)long before the state budget is approved... there isn't much you can change mid-school year, even when the economy looks bad. 5)Every governmental agency in the state is in the same boat... even prisons.