Here we go again… yet another school bond, which we’re supposed to vote for just because. Weren’t the last four or five bonds (at this point I’m losing count) supposed to be the end-all, be-all for all the district’s problems? Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against money well spent on the schools. But I think we have a right to know where the previous bond money is being spent, why it’s insufficient to handle facilities repairs (despite promises to the contrary) and, most importantly, why it’s always the homeowners who have to pay.
If we do the math, it starts to look like Santa Monica is once again trying to gouge Malibu to pay for its own problems. In Malibu, homeowners outnumber renters whereas in Santa Monica it’s the renters who have the edge. Moreover, Santa Monica has lower overall property values, contributes the vast majority of students to the district, is home to most of the district’s facilities and will likely lay claim to the lion’s share of the bond money (should it pass) since its structures are older and most in need of repair. All of that means that Malibu homeowners will be paying out the nose for repairs and upgrades that only Santa Monicans will enjoy. Funny how commercial assessments don’t seem to be a part of this, either, despite the fact that Santa Monica also has an enormous edge in commercial development.
Sorry, but that’s a bogus bond.
If we’re going to be fair, then everyone in the district should pay equally-renters, homeowners and businesses alike. And the tax should be uniform, across the board, irrespective of property values. There is no correlation whatsoever between the perceived value of a person’s property and their ability to pay, much less their actual personal interest in the school district.
I urge voters to send this bad bond down in flames. If the district needs to upgrade its facilities this badly, then they can make the effort to come back with another bond that’s more even-handed and fair to all residents and families in the district.
Wade Major