Questions Remain on School Bond Issue

A recent article in your paper stated that the school district would like taxpayers to vote again on a $90-million school bond. Before voting to approve this measure, I would like some questions answered.

Why did the superintendent, Jerry Gross, go before the City Council and urge that the Woodridge project be approved and that the $1.3 million offered by the developer would take care of all school placement for the children in that development? More than 250 homes were approved plus an additional 70 homes are being developed at the end of Sunset Hills Boulevard. The concerns of Planning Commissioner Marilyn Carpenter were never answered. It doesn’t take a mathematical genius to figure that there will be at least 300 school-age children in those two complexes. The amount donated by the developer is not going to provide school rooms and equipment for those children. So why should the taxpayers approve a $90-million bond issue?

Why are the children in an area east of Erbes Road, south of Monte Carlo and north of Avenida de los Arboles being deprived of attending the new Lang Ranch School, which is within walking distance of their homes, while space is being held for the children in the yet to be built Woodridge-Sunset Hills developments? Why should the taxpayers in this area approve a $90-million bond issue when their streets are going to be impacted by the traffic from Woodridge-Sunset Hills and their own children will derive no benefits?

Why has it taken so long for the school district board to approve and start construction on the Lang Ranch School when they have been holding the money donated by the developers for several years? The burden of high enrollment at Ladera School could have been relieved a couple of years ago. So if we approve the $90-million bond issue, when, if ever, will the money be spent for the educational needs of the children now attending Conejo Valley schools?

Until Dr. Gross and the school board answer these questions to the satisfaction of the community, don’t count on our vote for approval of your school bond.

MARILYNN HANDELMAN, Thousand Oaks