Matt wrote on May 26, 2008 6:28 PM:I could think of $195 million that could be put to better use in our schools. You know, like hiring teachers and keeping them.

Umm.. wrote on May 26, 2008 7:58 PM:How many schools did the last bond say it was supposed to cover, that it didn't, due to escalation of costs? You think it's different now? Costs are not going up? Come on. Look at the mess Vista USD just had to deal with.

This has scam written all over it, my taxes to line some contractors pockets and a school district crying tears when of the 19 schools, now 14 will still need more stuff done to them.

Take a tour first. wrote on May 26, 2008 9:51 PM:I went to one of these schools on Friday as a favor for a friend who works there. I had not been back to any of these schools for over 30 years. The state of disrepair is terrible. YOU would not want to live in a house that has windows that don't open, rooms that are settling into the ground, peeling paint, and electrical wiring tacked all over. THEY MAKE DO with what they have because the staff and teachers are putting their hearts and souls into the kids. I think we can all afford to take care of our schools, pay our teachers, and still have plenty of resources left to maintain ourselves. If you want to call something a "scam" or "boondoggle", take a look at the money being thrown down the drain in the Middle East. OUR "taxes to line some contractors' pockets". THAT is a crime. This is deferred maintenance.

JE wrote on May 26, 2008 10:02 PM:Hey Matt...It's different money, do a little research before you post a comment.

No problem wrote on May 26, 2008 10:15 PM:This bond has to be passed. Keeping our schools updated and safe and functioning is a must.

To Umm and Matt wrote on May 27, 2008 7:06 AM:How do you come up with the bond is a scam to line contractors pockets. Have you even walked into any of the schools, not long ago two of them were closed because of earthquake concerns. The contractors aren't writing it, they still have to bid for projects. The people that are writing the bond get nothing but maybe a safe school to educate are children in. Matt, get educated, bonds don't pay for salaries.

Bewildered wrote on May 27, 2008 9:27 AM:I don't understand why school districts defer maintenance like this--do they not allow for maintenance expenses in their annual operating budgets? Or is it really their standard procedure to just build the facilities, then walk away and ignore it all until, at some point in the future, the ceilings start caving in and the windows stop opening and the electrical wiring fails?

Let the Parents Pay wrote on May 27, 2008 12:10 PM:Let the parents who send their kids to these schools pool their money and pay for the needed repairs. The parents chose to have the kids, let them pay for their kids. If it's too expensive then move to a more affordable place. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for other people's children. Vote NO!

to umm and matt wrote on May 27, 2008 12:12 PM:you are right it is a scam those who oppose you are probabaly ousd administration I'm a vista resident and will be paying aschool bond off for the rest of my life unless i move. SCAM

yes wrote on May 27, 2008 12:18 PM:if billions of taxpayers money is being used to fuel a dragging war in the middle east, why cant this bond be approved to enhance the students' school environment.

to let the parents pay wrote on May 27, 2008 12:22 PM:hey silly, we live in a democratic society, where regulations and laws are created for the good of the masses. it shouldnt be blame on purely the parents fault and responsibility to fix city infrastructure. thats like staying that people from the other end of town shouldnt help in fixing the run down park down the street from you house. read a book about the work of societies, idiot.

FTM wrote on May 27, 2008 12:55 PM:to Let the Parents Pay:

You sound just like all those retirees in Carlsbad! Ha! That's why that city could not pass a bond for nearly 20 years! (They finally got one last year). You also sound like the guy who thought building the new Oceanside Seinor center was a waste of taxpayer dollars! "Make those old people pay thier own way!" the guy said. But someday he will be OLD and then I bet he will want a senior center! And when all those old retirees hear about thier grandkids getting crammed into crumbling schools 50 to a class then they want the schools improved! HA! Like you old people were never young? Like you old people did not get a good free education when you were young but now you are not willing to pay? It's too bad the people paying the taxes when you old people were in school did not stop paying bonds and school tax.

Its a public good wrote on May 27, 2008 1:18 PM:This is a response to "Let the Parents Pay." I totally disagree that parents should be the only ones to pay to educate their kids. Educating children is a public good. The biggest difference between growing up and being a contributing, tax-paying member of society and a drain on it is one's education. All of us have a stake in these children getting a quality education. We will all benefit from their education because they will be more likely to be highly educated workers who earn more, pay more in taxes, etc. Having them get a good education means they will be less likely to be criminals. I don't know these kids, but I stand to gain if they are educated. Therefore, I should contribute to their education.

What the wrote on May 27, 2008 1:50 PM:I am in question as how this money will better our schools for our kids education?
While we just shut one school down, and many pink slips went out, How is this even something that made it to the voting table?
Now then if this money is going tordes schools changing to say sustainabilities then I might consider this money......other than that... Save the money and pour it into better funded education for the kids of tomorrow.

Can someone please tell me Who brought this to the table?

No Problem wrote on May 27, 2008 1:54 PM:How is it that our schools are un-safe now? If they are why are the kids still there?

How are they so un-safe that 195 million will fix all 19 schoools?

I am sorry I do not buy this for one minute? No one can answer what is exactly not safe of the schools now?

Shoot in the 80's we just went to school no matter what landscaping, or how up-dated that bathrooms, drinking fountains, gyms, or playgrounds were....We were there to learn.

So please tell me how all 19 schools are NOT SAFE?

SUSTAINABILITY wrote on May 27, 2008 2:02 PM:If these schools really want PRIDE in the buildings where children learn.

Set the stage to build with SUSTAINABILITY...for the FUTURE...then the schools won't have to worry for ALL NEW ELECTRICAL WIRING or HEATERS...by using the new technologies the school will be saving monies for the future when this all has to be UP-Dated again.

Plus this will show our kids True Pride and boost moral to learn in a future Technology Advanced School that is Sustainability Built all over!

Wind Turbines, Solar Panels-heat & electric.

On the Down Side, we Teaching our Kids that they can only learn good if the environment is the best looking.

It is teaching them the same thing we are trying to get them away from.... IF you Look Good you will do good?? I mean come one if a child has the best teachers they will be smart. If the children has the best looking schools that does not guarentee they will be as smart?

SCAM wrote on May 27, 2008 2:07 PM:This is such a SCAM, our kids need to learn not learn that a Face-lift will make them smarter?

If anything needs to be up-graded DO it with SUSTAINABILITY.... Don't up-grade the electricity units with the same ole things that will need to be up-graded again and cost 195 mil. USE SOLAR hello?

Instead of Playgrounds make it an eco-friendly garden for veggies, show them true life and give the kids back some art that we have taken from there beautiful minds.

Poor kids! and Poor Residents Tax monies.. This is such a SCAM

I agree wrote on May 27, 2008 2:12 PM:Sustainability is a must, if the ALL 19 schools really need the up-dates.

Other than that save the taxs for better school programs.

To Its A Public Good wrote on May 27, 2008 2:42 PM:Parents have the primary responsibility to insure that their children are contributing members of society. Taxpayers already pay a great deal towards public education and thus fulfill their duty towards the public good. It's time for parents to carry any additional expenses on from here. The rest of us have too many bills to pay.

Let the Parents Pay wrote on May 27, 2008 3:00 PM:Let's explore this idea of a "public good." Some of us have our kids in private school. Should taxpayers pay for our kids too? Far less money is spent per pupil in private schools, yet private schools have much better results when it comes to test scores. To say that taxpayers must educate children to fulfill a "public good" is a cop-out. Of course education fulfills a public good. The question is who should pay the tab. Parents and their children are the primary beneficiaries of education. Society is a secondary beneficiary. Since parents and their children are the primary beneficiaries, parents should be required to pay the lion's share of their minor children's educational expenses. Taxpayers already pay enough. Forcing parents to pay the additional expenses going forward will inject accountability into the system. Parents will be more likely to remove children from schools that do not perform. This will enhance the public good. The "public good" will not be enhanced by more taxes. Vote NO on Prop H!

Matt wrote on May 27, 2008 3:38 PM:It doesn't matter what THIS money is tagged for. If $200 million is spend on X that's $200 million that could be spend on Y. You can scratch this measure and come up with a new plan to spend that money on.

Yes, some repair is needed. Maybe even a lot. But there needs to be a more holistic approach. Priorities need to be realigned.

Quality Education wrote on May 27, 2008 3:42 PM:The quality of the education in Oceanside schools is not unlike the physical state of the buildings. Unfortunately, improving the buildings will do nothing to improve the quality of the education that takes place inside the buildings. Our children deserve better. I'm voting no on this one.

FTM to Sustainability wrote on May 27, 2008 3:44 PM:I totaloly DISAGREE! How can you build an internet ready school with all the hi speed data infrastructure IN THE 80's!? BILL GATES HAD NOT EVEN INVENTED WINDOW in 1980! WE WERE JUST BARELY UP TO FAX MACHINES BY 1980 ! ? ! No one even knew what the internet was! How can you power all the new web based teachers and classes that can save us millions of dollars? Maybe when you went to school in the 80's money should not have been wasted on televisions - movie projectors - or microscopes! YOU IDIOTS! WHY do people ALWAY say "well it was good enough for me when I was in school!" What a STUPID remark! When YOU were in school the latest technology was probably the pencil sharpener! Is that what you people are all about? I don't believe the previous remarks I have read here on this blog cam from Oceanside residents - this must be retirees from Carlsbad or somthing - I can't believe what I'm reading

Price Of Gasoline wrote on May 27, 2008 3:57 PM:The price of gasoline keeps going up and stretches our budgets too thin to be able to afford an additional tax increase. Since I have to feed my family, I'm voting no.

Its good for everyone wrote on May 27, 2008 4:05 PM:Not only is society a secondary beneficiary - kids off streets, in school, becoming better citizens but having better schools (yes, even if only in better physical condition) is good for your property values as opposed to a leach on them as they are now.

no tax increase wrote on May 27, 2008 4:16 PM:Did I read this wrong? Doesn't it say a continuation of current tax rates, not an increase?

FTM to Quality Education wrote on May 27, 2008 4:19 PM:Your statement os WRONG - the statistics are JUST THE OPPOSITE and even the very ranking cited in this article says that Oceanside is on a steady imporovement in scores! WHY do you say such things that are not true just to justify you position to vote no on the bond? Can't you come up with a better reason to vote "no" than a lie? At least most of the no bloggers are honest enough to admit they want the parents to pay or some other tightwad reason but to say the education is deteriorating is just flat wrong so it's a 'non-reason' to vote no.

To Its good for everyone wrote on May 27, 2008 4:30 PM:Schools are a leach on property values because of what goes on inside the buildings, not because the buildings are unattractive. In order to improve property values, it is necessary to improve what takes place inside the buildings rather than to repair the buildings. Real education can never take place inside our drug and gang- ridden schools. Also $195 million seems like a lot of money to repair some buildings, especially when there is no accountability as to how the money will be spent.

To FTM wrote on May 27, 2008 4:44 PM:Test scores are improving in Oceanside because the standards have been lowered. Average test scores from private schools routinely outperform average test score results from Oceanside schools. This is true even though, on a per pupil basis, private schools spend but a fraction of the dollars that are spent on public school students. Use your initials - Follow The Money. It's time for accountability in public education.

to no tax increase wrote on May 27, 2008 4:47 PM:With prices rising as they are, a tax decrease sounds even better to me. That's why I'm voting no.

To Take a Tour First wrote on May 27, 2008 4:53 PM:Now that you've seen the school, go to the Administration offices for that district. New flat panels, new computers, new carpet, it goes on and on. They even have TP in the bathrooms! THAT is where this money goes.
In fact, go to all the administration buildings in NC. See for yourself. By the way, look at the vehicles in the lots too. You won't find any beaters there!

David wrote on May 27, 2008 5:02 PM:I hope the voters of Oceanside don't let OUSD do this to them again. The first time Ken Noonan promised the moon and of course only a few schools were remodeled. What makes you think anything will change this time.

Nothing lasts forever... wrote on May 27, 2008 5:31 PM:Why is it we think classrooms built in the 60s should be good enough after almost 50 years of use? Maintaining buildings is not enough. Every 30 to 40 years you actually have to IMPROVE the buildings, update power supply, improve access for handicapped students and build for needs that weren’t anticipated back in 1962. Prop H makes sense. If it passes your annual property tax bill will not go up but it will provide the money needed to bring the schools in our district into the THIS century. Vote YES on H!

No accountability wrote on May 27, 2008 5:41 PM:Anyone who thinks we have "drug and gang ridden" schools is badly out of touch with the quality of OUSD schools. We have more than our share of CA Distinguished schools in Oceanside. REAL education is happening despite the fact that we have kids housed in temporary classrooms that were put into service when their parents were in grade school. Prop G had extensive citizens oversight as will Prop H. The members of the citizens' oversight committee should be commended for the work on behalf of the community! The North County Times has endorsed Prop H for just those reasons! You should too!

Administration Buildings wrote on May 27, 2008 5:47 PM:You've got to be kidding. OUSD's primary administrative building is a joke! It is one of the crumbiest buildings I've ever seen. The room they hold Board of Ed meetings in looks like an old portable building.

Prop H Bond money can only be used to build and modernize schools in Oceanside - period.

Re pm post wrote on May 27, 2008 5:50 PM:I think you might have something there. While I agree that the financial burden of providing public education should be borne equally by all taxpayers, I don't believe it is unfair or unreasonable to require the parents of the children who actually attend public schools to make additional small contributions. Even if this were to happen, though, we have no guarantee that the district's current bureaucracy would have any kind of accountability--it's very likely they would just piss it away.

Toilet paper in the bathrooms wrote on May 27, 2008 5:50 PM:Will the waste never end?! WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!

People with nice cars wrote on May 27, 2008 5:54 PM:Holy cow! You mean schools are paying employees enough money to buy "nice" cars?! And toilet paper?!

WHERE WILL IT END?!

To No Accountability wrote on May 27, 2008 6:03 PM:Talk about spin! High school is where the rubber meets the road. Neither high school in Oceanside is listed as a "Distinguished School" If the "Distinguished School" designation is the yardstick for REAL education, then REAL education is lacking in both of our high schools. Also if REAL education is happening in temporary classrooms, money must not be the way to achieve REAL education.

Believe what you want to believe. wrote on May 27, 2008 6:16 PM:OUSD Test scores are up. California's standards are among the most rigorous in the nation yet California is 49th in the nation in per pupil spending. We're accomplishing more with less every year.

Not everyone appreciates the work school employees do. Some people actually think we're failing. They may not know it yet, but they're in the minority! We know our community values its schools!

Support OUSD schools and vote yes on Prop H! Your investment is paying off!

Where will it End wrote on May 27, 2008 6:16 PM:Where is the accountability for this new/extended tax. Taxes for a $500,000 house will be almost $600 a year for this extension for 30 more years. My share will be well over $18,000 in today value, for what? Who is watching these expenditures? Was there a community committee like last time out? How much more will we pay with the added hospital tax and the future public safety tax? There in a limit here folks, it just seems like there is no overall community prorities at times.

FTM wrote on May 27, 2008 6:26 PM:Oh- I see! When the scores say PRIVATE Schools are improving it's the STATISTICS but when the scores say OCEANSIDE Schools are imporoving it's LOWER STANDARDS. WHAT STANDARDS DO YOU THINK THEY USE TO TEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS? You probably drive a BMW AND sign your checks with a crayon! (So many stupid rich people out there!). I notice you did not answer if YOU went to public or private school when YOU were a kid! NONE OF YOU. If someone paid for you to get a free ride when you were a kid why should you not help with your fair share? Why should YOU get free school and others should not? Did you too go to private school? No one answers this. I can't believe that people who went to public schools feel they should not pay for public schools WEATHER THEY ARE PARENTS OR NOT! Do you also believe someone with 5 kids should not get 5 tax exemptions because the person with 1 kid only gets 1? Are you one of those types? Get over it - you got your public education because people older than you PAID for it - now it's your turn.

You make me dizzy wrote on May 27, 2008 6:40 PM:So you're saying unless every school in the district is a CA Distinguished School, the district isn't really doing they're job?

Both district high schools were named in US News and World Report as one of the top 1000 high schools in the nation, this year and last year. OHS and ECHS were also both ranked 10 out of 10 by the state when compared to other schools with similar student populations.

Real education could happen in tents, but our kids shouldn't be forced learn in substandard conditions. OUSD students should have access to modern facilities built to support learning. They should not be forced to overcome the obstacles to learning that are present in 50 year old buildings.

Scare Tactics wrote on May 27, 2008 6:51 PM:"Where will it end?" You're just trying to scare people. No one's annual property tax bill will increase next year if prop H passes. Prop H extends the current property tax rate eight years longer than it is supposed to run.

The Citizens' Oversight Committee did an exceptional job managing the last bond. That's a big part of why both of the major newspapers in this county endorsed Prop H. Don't fall for the scare tactics.

He wants to scare you wrote on May 27, 2008 7:43 PM:Where Will It End wants to scare you. The bottom line is that Prop H will not raise your annual property tax bill. The property tax rate will be extended 8 years longer than it is supposed to run. The fact is, the district's schools are very old. They've been well maintained but they have been used longer than anyone ever dreamed they would be used. Schools are supposed to be updated every 30 years or so. In California, local bonds are used for this purpose. Prop H is needed to bring our schools into the 21st century. Teachers shouldn't have to worry that the ciruit will trip off if the kids use the computers.

Get the facts on Prop H at the district's website: www.oside.k12.ca.us.

only homeowners wrote on May 27, 2008 8:01 PM:should be allowed to vote (for bond) since their the ones paying for the bond
I'm not a bettin' man but I think it wouldn't pass.

No tax decrease either wrote on May 27, 2008 8:37 PM:Prop H won't raise your annual property tax bill if it passes and it won't lower them if it fails. The tax rate is will stay where it is for another 25 or 30 years even if it doesn't pass.

The unfortunate fact is major improvements have to be financed over long periods of time. The even more unfortunate fact is, our 40 to 50 year old school buildings need to be updated to meet the needs of this century.

Voting no won't lower your taxes anytime soon and passing prop H will improve our schools without increasing your annual tax bill.

FTM to accountability wrote on May 27, 2008 9:35 PM:You say Oceansides two high schools are not ""Distinguished Schools" but NOT ONE PRIVATE SCHOOL in all of North County is a "Distinguished School" ! !
WHAT KIND OF LUNACY IS IN YOUR HEAD??? Private schools are great! I'm sure they do a great job! Hey! I got my undergraduate degree at a private school! There are Catholic schools that do WAY BETTER with the minority kids than public schools - that's not the point! The POINT is WHO PAID FOR YOUR school education? DID YOU GOT TO PUBLIC SCHOOL? YES OR NO! If you did, then you OWE society a debt! We can diagree on how much and how but bottom line is YOU got a free education paid for by taxpayers and now that you are a taxpayer it's your turn to pay back.

A new idea wrote on May 27, 2008 11:45 PM:The teachers on here appear to be very passionate about money for the schools. Here's my idea. Instead of asking the taxpayers for the money, shy not ask the teachers on here to take a voluntary pay and benefits cut to bring their salaries and benefits in line with private school teachers? The money saved from the voluntary pay and benefits cut could be used on an ongoing basis to improve the school facilities. Let them put their money where their mouths are. Somehow, I bet there will be no takers to my offer.

Lets get this right wrote on May 28, 2008 12:04 AM:We trust the government to deliver our letters and we get the Postal Service. We trust the government to run our trains and we get Amtrak. We trust the government for disaster relief and we get FEMA. Why do we trust the government to educate our children? Something tells me we need to rethink this.

To He Wants to Scare You wrote on May 28, 2008 12:13 AM:Let me see if I understand you correctly. If I vote no on Proposition H, my property taxes will go down eight years sooner than they would should Proposition H pass. This sounds like a great deal to me especially when prices are rising as quickly as they are right now. Thanks for the heads up.

To No Tax Decrease wrote on May 28, 2008 12:25 AM:I prefer to vote NO on such bills. I think the private sector does a much better job at educating our youth at a fraction of the cost the government incurs. As it is we are already saddled with debt for years to come. The time has come for us to stop the endless cycle of debt that we are passing on to our children and our children's children. Proposition H is a good place to draw a line in the sand.

FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 7:06 AM:Yor people are all complaining about the public school system in California and touting the greatness of private schools - your espowsing a philosophy - your all trying to say that private schools are better than public schools - well: DUH! why do you think rich people send thier kids to private school? Because they are lousy? This is about OCEANSIDE - NOT the California school system. Noonan has eliminated most of the dual language crap and got everyone in the schools talking English (for a change) and he has test scored going up and the schools have improved academics - but you no bond people go on about your PHILOSOPHY of private schools over public schools like it means ANYTHING in the desicion to pass a bond for OCEANSIDE! It's for OCEANSIDE schools people - not the State of California! Don't you want the young people in your town to be the best citizens? Don't you understand that you will get the harvest you plant today in as little a ten years? YOUR HOUSES ARE GOING DOWN IN VALUE and probably will not be back up to thier peak prices for another 7 to 10 years and right about then you want to graduate another pile of dope dealers and gang members into our town! HA just TRY to sell your house then you SHORTSIGHTED BAFOONS! You get what you deserve.

Make Growth Pay wrote on May 28, 2008 9:51 AM:This TAX INCREASE is the result of not charging the builders the money it takes to provide schools to the families that will buy and live in those homes.

YEARS OF UNDERCHARING developers has resulted in a HUGE BACKLOG of public facilities that are needed.

Why shouldn't the builders of NEW HOMES pay 100% of the cost of providing the schools, parks, police, fire, courts, jails, roads, etc etc etc that those new homes require?

FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 11:32 AM:Make Growth Pay - TAX THE BUILDERS! Everyone is looking for another SCAPEGOAT. That's what we do - FIND A SCAPEGOAT! IT'S THIER FAULT! Hey, if YOU got a free education in public school when you were a kid then YOU ARE THE ONE AT FAULT! Not the builders. The builders built HOMES and families move into the HOMES and pay property TAX on thier HOMES! Why double tax the guy who want's to buy a new home? So YOU don't have to pay for something YOU got for free? Not ONE person in this blog has responded to my question: DID YOU GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL? It's a simple YES or NO.
No one wants to admit they got THIER primary education for FREE because SOME OTHER taxpayer paid for THIER education but now THEY don't want to pay for some one elses! WHAT HYPOCRITES!

Tired of it wrote on May 28, 2008 12:04 PM:Sure pass a new bond measure; how much do want…don’t worry about it. In four years we’ll pass another bond or raise fees or find new revenue enhancement schemes. Don’t worry about it, we’ll get the tab!

to let the parents pay wrote on May 28, 2008 12:19 PM:parents already incur more of the cost to have their children in public school. they have to buy all the school materials and what not. that amounts to a lot. our taxes aren't paying for that, but the parents must incur that cost. and society is the primary beneficiary as well. without education, where would we all be? you'd be complaining about all the dumb people around you, not realizing it's your fault because you didn't want to support education. if you're already paying taxes for public education, why put your kid in private school? it's your choice to pay more for private school when you're already getting a service you're paying for through taxes. and though you might not directly be a primary beneficiary from another kid's education, you are still benefiting from it some how. education is a public good, or else we woulnd't have public schools and education wouldn't be a priority.

To FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 12:30 PM:By your standard, I am free to criticize this proposition. My parents sent me to private school at great personal sacrifice. Also the reason for the discussion about private school is that private schools produce a far superior product for far less money. It is time to get the government out of the education business. The private sector is much more effective at educating our youth.

To FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 4:45 PM:I am sorry you are stressed out because people are aloud to vote how they want, regardless how you tell your story.

Yes, I went to public school in the 80's, and yes I used a pencil sharpner, also it is nice to solve problems with or without a computer...uh uh uh but you must have been so angry you didn't fully understand my statement! FUTURE TECHNOLOGY BUILD on the SCHOOLS for their up-grades...as in windturbines, solar panels, and etc... for SUSTAINABILITY.

I will vote No on Prop H, I am a Property owner (3).

Kids do deserve a safe place to learn...(I am all for that)lets just make sure the up-grades are truely needed. Not someones Developer Friends who needs some contract work, as our City is well known for.

Anyhow I can't not see that having high up-grades to "psychologically boost morale for teachers, & kids" will improve the actual education for kids.

As long as the teachers are doing a great job, and Parents help with homework like a good parent should then the kids will learn.

All we are teaching kids is to do good, you have to have the good appearence?? So messed up...ya things should work like electricity or heat, and clean bathrooms......other than that Give the Teachers a Raise, and Take Back the Pink Slips...

No I am not a teacher. so dont' get your pants in a bundle there FTM...just breath and relax Not everyone has to agree with you. :) Peace

VOTE NO wrote on May 28, 2008 4:49 PM:VOTE NO on PROP H -

Schools can shut down hand out pink slips, lower test standards, but can't open up to better programs for the future of our kids, yet we are debating over loans from property tax owners monies to UP-GRADE 19 SCHOOLS.

Show the kids something and sell freaking brownies with the Parents who care this much to ask for money from thy neighbors....

CROCK of SCAM! VOTING NO ...

May FTM find some peace, rather than call fellow neighbors idiots...

FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 4:52 PM:You just answered your own question:

"My parents sent me to private school at great personal sacrifice."

That IS the correct answer.

I too paid my own way at a private school to get my undergraduate degree - but I surley would not think it's right that only people of means deserve an education. Every citizen deserves a decent free education for the sake of us not having a society that will destroy us. Yet - those of us with the means can always improve our lot by going to better schools and paying extra - but that does NOY mean your not obligated to society to pay for the education of the current generation.

OMG to FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 5:10 PM:What are you talking about people needing to answer if they went to public or private, and taxpayers paid for the public sector of education for some.??? I am so confused I thought this was about UP GRADES to the BUILDINGS OF THESE SCHOOLS??

This Prop H HAS Nothing to do to boost learning for the kids? It seems to be all about putting money into a Contractors Pocket...and who are they friends with at the City?? Kern, Feller or Chavez? mmmmmm

Dude....is the bond for building or to improve programs for learning....Can you answer that simple questions FTM...and please out of manners, can you please stop call people idiots......Obviously your school didn't teach you manners....so please BLOG NICE!

It isnt just rich wrote on May 28, 2008 6:16 PM:people who send their kids to private schools. There are a lot of middle and lower-middle class families who struggle and sacrifice in order to pay private school tuition for their kids.

Jeez FTM wrote on May 28, 2008 9:00 PM:I'll bet the veins are just bulging outta your temples right about now. You need to take a deep breath and step back before you stroke out. Whew! It's just a blog!

FTM wrote on May 29, 2008 7:18 AM:That was the first thing I said in the first blog! This money is for BUILDINGS! This money stays in OCEANSIDE! That was my point - Everyone was ragging on about how lousy California teachers are and public education and I could not seem to get thru that this money was NOT for the teachers or the State of California. But everyone just went on and on about lousy teachers and private school and changing the subject so - I just reaponded to what they were saying. Everyone changed from talking about building new schools to crappy public education. Like as if we have a choice as to provide a besic education? I mean - that became the topic! (Make the parents pay! Make the buldiers pay!) If we do not do basic education on EVERYONE including the poor we will end up with a society that will crumble in a generation. Why are we even talking about that? Is there even a dabate there? People against the bond were using NON-REASONS like that to say NO to a bond. That makes no sense!
People carry over thier hatred for teachers when it comes to ANY money spent on ANYTHING in a school - and that's not right. We have a very simple problem in our public schools. ONE problem. The Union. If the teachers union would change the syetem from seniority to meritocracy ALL your issues would GO AWAY! All the bad teachers would be fired (administrators too) and only good teachers would be retained. That's it! Your not going to complain about public education as long as your getting your moneys worth, right? I totally understand people wanting the basic value of getting thier moneys worth, but the idea of saying we should not even provide a basic education is dumb because we have already tried that! Many countries still do it that way and you know what thier societys are like? I live in Oceanside and I want the town to prosper and do well for many years because I would like to stay here. I am always in favor of things that improve Oceanside. My own kids go to school outside of Oceanside but I still want whats best for my town.

Finally FTM wrote on May 29, 2008 11:49 AM:Thank you for calming your hatred words to others who disagree.

Yes, stick to the Prop. H to Up-grade schools... (Which I will vote No too).

But on another subject you are right on the unions, and the seniority of keeping and pay raises to teachers with seniority....(there are some teachers who are just not keeping up the pace, and should step down or find a new job)-for the sake of the kids!

The pay raises, and such should go to the teachers whos classes are hitting an acceptance level of education, which do not lower test levels to have higher results. The Poor Kids who's education suffer, and are the future of tomorrows society! I get all that jazz!!

I think the schools should still up-grade with Sustainability, and not go crazy with high priced landscaping...Have the parents pay for that stuff, and even better form groups where the kids actually do the landscaping and raise the monies...that will teach them a lot, and the kids would love it! We need to re-check our thoughts on teaching our kids for the future!

YES on H wrote on May 31, 2008 11:51 AM:If you honestly care about the quality of education young people recieve in this district, you'll vote YES on H.

There are in the neighborhood of 20,000 kids attending Oceanside schools. They desreve modern facilities, upgraded to support the educational needs of this century. They should not be forced to endure the substandard conditions present in facilities that are 40 to 50 years old.

Everything has a lifespan. These buildings have been properly maintained. They've just been in service longer than they can be without an update.

The bottom line is, this work cannot be accomplished without Prop H. There are 20,000 kids in our schools right now who need these improvements. And there are generations of students who will benefit over the next thirty years if the work is done now.

Vote YES on H!

FTM to Finally wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:28 PM:When YOU went to school you were not required to do the landscaping. When you went to school they did not make you pay for it. When you went to school do you think they should have made YOU clean the bathrooms?

Your statements are so strange. Only a hypocrite would accept a free public education themselves and then refuse it to others. Why are you more important than someone else? What makes YOU so special? Have you healed 1000 sick people? Have YOU save lives? Please tell us what it is about you that makes us need to educate you for the good of societo over other people?

When you were a kid, do you think you should NOT have recieved a free education in public school? Is that what you think? Then why did you go?

Don't you think the education you got was expensive for the people who paid for it back then?

If you live in Oceanside this is a perfect way to KEEP your tax dollers HERE IN OCEANSIDE! Would you rather send your money to the State? It's a strange thing you say "Have the parents pay for that stuff" what about your Parents? Did THEY pay for that 'stuff' when YOU were in school?

Some people just don't understand what they sound like when they open thier mouths. Every word you write tells us you have no children and that your quite a hypocrite.