Opponents of School Bond Form Campaign Group

Opponents of an $80.5-million school bond measure have formed a group to campaign against the ballot issue.

Members of Save Money with Accountability and Responsible Taxation oppose Measure G on the ballot in the April 14 election, saying the school bond measure is too expensive and will take too long to pay off. “It is probably the most expensive way to get the job done,” SMART spokesman Shawn Moonan said. “Why not propose a shorter tax that doesn’t involve any bonds?”

Officials of the Torrance Unified School District say school bond money is badly needed for new fire alarms, plumbing, heating and ventilation, restroom renovations, new classrooms, replacement of old buildings and seismic safety improvements.

Most of the SMART members also belonged to K’s Not the Way, a group that opposed the last school bond measure.

This is the third time the issue will be put before voters; it needs two-thirds of the vote to pass. Last year, the bonds received the approval of 57% of the voters in June and 62% in November.