Judge Edits Ballot Statement of School Bond Foes

Opponents of Huntington Beach Union High School District’s $123-million school bond were ordered Tuesday to excise a paragraph from their ballot statement that said money raised would allow administrators to divert other funds toward salaries.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Thomas instructed the registrar of voters to delete wording that implied school officials would play a financial shell game with the funds, shunting general fund money now earmarked for building maintenance to “administrative salaries [and] other perks that have little or no benefit for our students.”

In his order, the judge wrote that “the language of the bond issue is clear.” It restricts bond funds to school facilities improvements and further commits to increasing the existing maintenance reserve.

Bond opponents, including members of the Newman Terrace Homeowners Assn., contend that the district will misspend funds if the bond passes. Proponents say the November measure is needed to repair sinking buildings, fix damaged or aging infrastructure, improve campus security and add computer wiring.