Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July and are enjoying the summer!
We want to provide a quick update on the 1,500-student school and performing arts center, a massive development, proposed for Gird Road and urge you to attend BUSD's Board Meeting on July 13.
At the upcoming July 13 Board Meeting, the
BUSD New High School Interim Property Report will be presented
.
BUSD administration asked members of the community to research high school building sites that would be acceptable to both local residents and the District. Many hours were spent over five months researching properties and the Interim Property Report details the findings on the Gird Road site and others including the
Ocean Breeze Ranch property located adjacent to the existing Sullivan Middle School/Bonsall High School campus.
BUSD continues to move forward making preparations for building on the Gird Road site, ignoring Measure DD's loss at the ballot box last year,
the fifth time the community has rejected funding to build a school on Gird Road. Predictably, BUSD now faces financial difficulties, along with pension/reserve shortfalls. BUSD is now
considering budget cuts, including eliminating transportation and/or all or part of the $173,000-a-year Facilities Manager's salary.
BUSD's Board of Trustees is split on virtually every vote related to the proposed site on Gird Road. Board Members Dick Olson and Dr. Sylvia Tucker are opposed to spending more money on prepping Gird Road for construction in light of the realities of tight budgets and organized community opposition. They are, however, outvoted by Dr. Tim Coen (president), Lou Riddle and Dr. Erin English who continue to dig a deeper financial hole.
In the midst of all this chaos and conflict, Superintendent Justin Cunningham announced his retirement, effective August 1. He now moves from over
$210,000/year in salary and benefits to a very generous retirement provided by taxes paid by BUSD residents and builders.
We can only hope the next public servant will get a handle on expenses, support the students, advocate for teachers, and be responsive to a community committed to slow growth.
Please make an effort to attend the July 13 BUSD Board Meeting.
The public section of the meeting starts at 6 PM. If you'd like to speak, come early and sign up. If you can't make the meeting, please send a donation to SaveGirdValley.com to help with expenses, thanks!
