Voices from the Valley: Supporting Measure O

This commentary is in support of Measure O, the bond issue which would enable Springville Union School District to build much needed facilities. Specifically, I would like to respond to Dennis Townsend’s column which appeared in the Recorder.

There are many misrepresentations and misunderstandings in the column, but I would like to address one of his claims in particular.

Mr. Townsend  asserts that he has taken steps to obtain funding for the building projects and that he has “shared these steps with [his] friends and neighbors on the school board.”

He claims that the Board has refused to pursue methods other than the bond measure. These claims are false.
Mr. Townsend may, in private, be doing all manner of things to make money, but he has not told any member of the Board about specific plans or options that he is privy to.  

Mr. Townsend is not now and has never been a member of the SUS Board, nor does he attend Board meetings to suggest alternate methods of funding, nor for any other purpose.

In his column Tuesday, and in mass mailings to voters, he states that “there are other avenues” to funding. But, what are they? Does he have an inside line to Warren Buffett or Bill Gates?

Contrary to Mr. Townsend’s claims, the SUS Board and administration have, for at least 20 years, pursued every method of conventional and unconventional funding for all school needs.

I served on the SUS Board for 12 years, and I am well aware of these efforts — before, during, and after my three terms of office.

In California, grant money for distressed schools is hard to obtain, and the application is not even accepted until all normal channels (such as passing school bond measures) have been exhausted.

In addition, private grant monies are generally in smaller amounts, and go to schools in the inner city or rural schools with demographic profiles which Springville does not fit. 

The proposed tax increase is not a large one. It is an increase of $68.71 per $100,000 assessed evaluation.
For example, if your county tax bill shows your property to be taxed at a value of $250,000 Measure O would cost you $14.32 a month in additional property tax.

That money would help thousands of children over the life of the Bond.

Each month, at current enrollment levels, over 360 students would be benefiting from your $14.32.  For many home owners, the cost would be less.

Where else can you put that amount of money to help so many young people, month after month, year after year?

Our money —  helping our own students —  in our own community. It is hard to beat that formula.
Even asking for a handout of grant funds from nameless foundations outside of our area is not as satisfying as supporting our own.

Unless Mr. Townsend and his friends are going to give several million dollars of their own money to the school, I don’t see another way. 

Our money — helping our own students — in our own community. Join me in voting Yes on Measure O.

-- Katie Black is a resident of Springville.