PLACENTIA : School District Passes Financing Resolution
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustees have passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to place a bond measure on the ballot this year that would allow districts to raise money for construction and renovation of schools.
Trustees voted 3 to 2 at their last meeting to pass the resolution, which also presses for more local means of raising school construction money, as well as a more efficient process of securing state approval for financing new schools.
“It would do a lot for the housing of students throughout the state of California,” said trustee Barbara S. Williams. “There are some real needs out there.”
Many districts have no money for construction of schools and have experienced serious overcrowding from rapid growth. Meanwhile, state construction money is depleted.
However, the need for new school construction has not yet become a priority in the Placentia-Yorba Linda district.
“We might not realize direct benefits, but I feel there are benefits to be made,” said board President Karin M. Freeman.
But trustee Constance Underhill, who voted against the resolution along with trustee William Kielty, said that school overcrowding can be solved in other ways.
“Some (of the districts) are going to have to stand up and say: ‘Stop building houses until we catch up,’ ” she said.
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