My Sunday story about Torrance Unified's effort to pass two bonds in the Nov. 4 election has gotten a lot of feedback. One of my challenges was finding folks against the bonds that are willing to talk publicly. So I figure an online pro and con blog debate is a safe place where we can all talk about it.
Should voters pass Torrance Unified's two bond measures to pay for campus upgrades and maintenance in November? Why or why not?
And remember, let's play nice. We're here to have a discussion and find out what people are thinking. The only ground rules I have is that we stay civil and on topic.
Considering that these bonds are specifically for new construction and modernization work, covered walkways is an absolute necessity. My son attended Arlington ES and the covered walkways are especially slick when it rains posing a danger to all on campus. These deficient walkways are common on all campuses and need to be replaced.
I know a lot of you were around when the last bond measure was passed 10 years or so ago. And I know the School Board made some mistakes. But you have to realize, this is a new School Board, new Superintendent and new rules to play by. These bonds need to pass. If they don't, TUSD will be forced to close schools to pay for repairs. That means, overcrowding in the schools that are left, lower property values, possibly more housing on the sites that close. A lot of these schools haven't been touched in 60 years, and that is just a shame. As citizens of Torrance, we have to pass these measures.
We need to do this for the kids. They deserve better, safer schools.
Is it my understanding that ~$23,000,000 of bond would finance the construction of "covered walkways"? I'm not sure I'd have "covered walkways" on my priority list of needs in education.