Torrance Election Issues Begin to Emerge
The first of five scheduled public forums featuring Torrance Unified School District Board of Election candidates revealed what is likely to be the hot topic in this race for two seats: Money.
In a Thursday-night, 90-minute session hosted by the Southeast Torrance Homeowners Association, incumbent Terry Ragins and aspiring first-time trustees Don Lee, Irmi Lake and G. Rick Marshall spent a good chunk of time answering questions about a potential new bond campaign and possible contingency plans for funding if such a measure should fail. (In its 60-year history, Torrance Unified has only passed one bond.)
Some soundbites:
* "(If a bond fails), you look at your assets, you start to manage your assets like you would your checking account ... and it could involve some painful things to go through that process." (Don Lee)
* "The only time Torrance has had actual renovation money for facilities was in the 1970s, when we closed schools and sold assets ... if it comes to that (this time), that's another choice." (Terry Ragins)
* "Before the district talks about another bond it needs to work on rebuilding the trust of the community. For too long this district has had only one play: 'Give us a big pot of money and we'll take care of it.' We have to stop doing that." (G. Rick Marshall)
* "If we do pass a bond issue I want to make sure the money is spent properly, on quality items." (Irmi Lake)
The district's 30 campuses are well known to be in various states of disrepair, as documented in the June-released report, "Torrance Schools: An Urgent Wake-Up Call." Audience members at Thursday's forum were mostly focused on one site -- J.H. Hull Middle School, whose students were relocated because the district lacks enough cash to rebuild their dilapidated home campus.
Every candidate asserted a committment to renovating the original Hull and returning students there, with or without a bond.
Other topics that got touched on Thursday night include teacher salaries, test scores and the importance of having up-to-date technology in the district's schools.
The next such forum, this time sponsored by the Southwood Homeowners Association, is being held at 7 p.m. Monday at Anza Elementary School.