Mean-Spirited Vote Against School Bond

* As longtime residents of the San Fernando Valley with more than 29 years of teaching experience between us, we are appalled at the mean-spiritedness of the vote against the school bond issue measure in the William S. Hart Union High School District.

In a community that prides itself on family values and distinguished schools, 6,708 community members refused to pay taxes equivalent to the price of one restaurant lunch per month. The William S. Hart Union High School District currently serves more than 12,000 students, with thousands more to come from our four feeder districts--yet fewer than 5,000 voted in favor of Measure H.

We appreciate the support from the 4,974 concerned citizens. It truly means a lot to us because it seems as if we are threatened with litigation every time a student fails a class, doesn’t get a desired class or teacher, gets hit with an errant ball in P.E., or doesn’t get to the head of the lunch line in time for pizza.

To parents who didn’t vote for Measure H, please don’t ask us when the gym will be fixed, when students will have suitable eating areas or bathrooms or when students will be able to learn with computers and work in science labs. We may be too disheartened to respond.

And to you seniors who came out in such force to vote against your children’s children, we can only respond with the proverb: “It takes an entire community to raise a single child.”

JODY MONTELEONE

DON MONTELEONE

Santa Clarita