5-10-06 On May 9, 2006, the members of the School Board voted 3 to 2 to extend our COP debt and waste another 1.3 million plus dollars of our tax money. Those who voted for it are Mark Distaso, Leona Sexton and Cindi Oberhansley.
The payments of the debt are being extended for another 11 years at a higher interest rate. Mr. Distaso claims that the money is being used for educational programs. What is the plan? What are the specifics?
Is that “NEW” money used to give teachers a raise? Where was the involvement of “Total School Solutions” the agency that is supposed to steer the District in the right financial direction? Is LACOE aware of this?
Refinancing debt with more debt is just irresponsible and irrational. A real cure for financial problems must always start with cutting spending.
We are still overspending on sports programs. It is outrageous what this District is spending on stipends, this is just one of many areas where substantial moneys can be saved.
Many thanks to Board President Melissa Harnett and Ron Bird who voted “NO” on extending the current debt.
I hope that in the future more in depth studies will be worked on so that budget problems or any other problems can be resolved without any further pains to our District. The District needs to stay within the spending limits.
Bernard Schwab bschwab@antelecom.net