Real facts versus Hearsay in the LUSD School Board Election
As I sit here, just a few days away from the LUSD School Board election, I am extremely concerned with the divide in our community that is being caused and at times seemingly promoted by the candidates running as a ‘three-member team’ in this election. This ‘team’ approach sounds favorable in theory, but do we really want decisions that directly impact our schools and students to be made as a ‘team?’ It is obvious to me that this ‘three-member team’ has a set agenda that does not take into account any of the services or actions that our existing board members are currently addressing. I know that I want members of a board that weigh the facts and aren’t afraid to independently do what they feel is best for the district and our students.
The one thing that is surprisingly missing from the basic three-point action plan is our students! In all of the articles, phone calls and propaganda distributed, they failed to make any mention of our students and what they are going to do to directly help them.
This same ‘three-member team’ also states that they have talked to teachers, staff, volunteers and parents, but what about talking to the administrators at each site and the Superintendent? I have made it a point to attend several board meetings, PTO Meetings and both Lakeport Elementary School ‘Conversations with the Principal’ events, and most recently a Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee meeting. What I have found to be consistent with our current leadership is the transparency of information and the willingness to openly discuss difficult topics, and opening up conversations on how they can improve. The one thing that is clear in every meeting that I have attended, is that the students best interests are at the forefront of decisions.
In addition, this ‘three-member team’ who openly blames the new superintendent for the downfall of this district has obviously had blinders on for the past several years and isn’t aware of the problematic indicators that the California Department of Education notified LUSD about from data prior to the 2016/17 school year. It surprises me to read or hear statements made from individuals who have never been on campus, have not taken the initiative to research the real facts or to physically show up to these events to ask questions. It appears from recent articles that the desire of this ‘three-member team’ and their supporters is to go back to the system that was in place 20 years ago that is no longer legal and is not best for the diversity of our current students.
—Kathy Gonzales, Lakeport
LUSD Pool
I have a lot of fond memories growing up in a small Southern California town with a community pool, tennis courts and little league fields.
Some members of our community have expressed disappointment and betrayal that there is not sufficient funds left in the Lakeport Unified School District Bond to complete the Westshore Pool Complex renovations. They believe the School Board has been fiscally irresponsible by not making the pool a higher priority. Community pool operations normally don’t take in enough revenue to pay annual operating expenditures. A few local examples are:
The City of Ukiah has an annual budget for the operation of the Ukiah Municipal Swimming Pools for Aquatics programs and events.
- During the last three years, the program has had an operating deficit in excess of $350,000.
- The recommended annual budget for 2018 – 2019 projects an operating deficit of $160,000.
The Fort Bragg Aquatic Center lost significant amount of money during its first 15 months of operations.
- In 2010, the annual operating budget was approximately $500,000 per year while its revenue was just $334,000 per year.
- To keep the pool open, Fort Bragg voted a 0.50% sales tax increase in 2012 to fully fund the annual operations.
The City of Lakeport provides assistance towards operating costs of the Westshore Pool Complex.
- Lakeport has provided over $165,000 in support of operating costs for the pool during the previous three years
- The 2018-2019 annual adopted budget for the City of Lakeport has reduced the level of support to $3,000.
Any future operating deficits of the Westshore Pool Complex will have to be covered by the Lakeport Unified School District by reducing services to students.
Lakeport Unified School District has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by focusing on the Measure T Bond projects that directly benefit the students.
It is also clear that the community supports the Westshore Pool Complex. The District has successfully partnered with the City of Lakeport in the past to help offset operating costs of the Westshore Pool Complex, and to minimize the impact on student services.
Rather than making the Westshore Pool Complex a divisive issue, our community would be better served by working to together to solve the financial problems often associated with a community pool. The Mendocino Coast Recreation & Park District City of Fort Bragg has successfully partnered with the City of Fort Bragg, the Fort Bragg Unified School District, The California Recreational Alliance and others to insure the success of its Community Pool. There is no reason that our community could not do the same.
—John Robertson, Lakeport
