Prop E is nearly identical to Del Mar’s Prop CC General Obligation (GO) School Bond, which was opposed by San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA), and wisely rejected by taxpayers in 2012. Here are five key reasons why Prop CC WAS rejected, and why Prop E SHOULD BE rejected:
(#1) DMUSD planned for bond funds to offset General Fund expenses (a violation of GO bond regulations). CUSD has also publicized plans to offset General Funds, and SDCTA does not support Prop E. The Republican Party of San Diego and San Diego Tax Fighters have recommended a NO vote on Prop E.
(#2) GO bonds are for immediate facility needs, NOT for a wish-list of future, undefined projects or scheduled maintenance. SDCTA objected to Prop CC bond funds for ongoing, short-term maintenance; and for lack of specific projects, schedules and technology needs for each site. CUSD clearly has NO specific project list, NO site-specific needs and NO schedules, just a $29M wish-list citing all conceivable types of construction and maintenance which MIGHT be needed at some future time.
(#3) Del Mar Schools were from 2 to 45 years old, all modern, in good repair, fully functional, with no serious defects. CUSD has much NEWER school facilities, some of the nicest in San Diego; our schools do not need major repairs or rehabilitation.
(#4) DMUSD planned to use long-term bond money to buy short lifespan technology, and SDCTA objected to buying student/personal devices or portable learning equipment that would last only 3-5 years. That’s like taking out a home mortgage to pay for a new car! CUSD also plans to use Prop E funds for a myriad of technology with similar short lifespans.
(#5) On their recent school bond measures (Props S & Z), San Diego Unified deployed a four-year task force to assess and specify work needed. Conversely, Del Mar’s Prop CC was slapped together in 8 months, without long-range planning or due diligence. Even worse, CUSD’s Prop E plan was cobbled together only 5-6 months ago, resulting in a rush-job and generic wish-list which is not site-specific. CUSD’s primary assessment, done by yet another consultant (Clifford Moss), was to determine the best means of “public communication” which would enhance the probability of passing Prop E, target any “voters who need special attention”, and garner the maximum property tax money for the schools! Read more on the CUSD website.
Del Mar voters were smart enough to reject their school bond. Will Coronado voters be smart enough to REJECT Prop E on June 3?
