From the Email InBox: Measure G

Dear Paw,

I am deeply concerned with the financial state of our City, School Board and State(s). It has been very difficult to trust anyone because they don’t do what they say they are going to do. More than that, they don’t communicate with the citizens who are making it all possible.

In my house alone, we have had to tighten our belts to the basics. We have lost money in the stock market, two-thirds of our 401k is now gone, the future doesn’t look any better. The one thing that saves us is the fact that we don’t have much debt.

Our nation has become slaves to the banking industry and so has our City because the Redevelopment Agency is in debt. And who has to pay it all back? The homeowners do. This is what our officials won’t tell you.

How much can the tax payer take financially? Now the school board wants more money. There is no GUARANTEE the GT High School Will Be BUILT...


Economic climate heightens debate over proposed school bond in Colton


08:27 AM PDT on Friday, October 24, 2008
By CINDY MARTINEZ RHODESThe Press-Enterprise
In this economic climate, Measure G is about as hot an issue as any local race this November.
Proponents say the $225 million school bond measure will ease crowding, modernize woefully outdated schools and improve education overall in the Colton Joint Unified School District .
If passed, it would tax property owners in the district approximately $40 per $100,000 of assessed property value. A home assessed at $300,000 would be taxed an additional $120 a year.
Opponents say that $120 could be better spent on food, medication or other necessities that are becoming luxuries during the current economic downturn.
"It's not that we don't want it, but we can't afford it," Bloomington business owner and parent Linda Gonzalez said. "I don't trust the school board anymore. It's just not the right timing."
Trustee Mel Albiso said if the district doesn't start looking ahead and investing in children now, it will never be able to keep pace with the demands of education and technology.
Students work in the chemistry lab at Colton High on Thursday. Those favoring Measure G say the measure would ease crowding, modernize outdated schools and improve education overall in the Colton school district.
"If you don't build schools, you're going to build prisons," Albiso said in a matter-of-fact tone. "How much is a child worth? If it's my last penny, I'd spend it on my grandchildren. That's what it comes to."
Board members acknowledge that there is lingering anger among district residents, especially in Grand Terrace, over Measure B -- a $102 million bond passed in 2001 and earmarked to build a new high school.
Colton High junior Nathalia Dominguez works on a chemistry experiment for a Halloween program.
Alice Grundman, the district's director of facilities, said the high school in Grand Terrace is scheduled to break ground by April 2009.
Measure G funds also would be used to build state-of-the-art, two-story math and science buildings at Colton and Bloomington high schools, at a price of about $12 million apiece.
"With Measure G, the school will also be able to get matching funds from the state to modernize and remodel all our schools," Grundman said. "By relieving some of the overcrowding, we're in a better position to prepare kids to graduate, go on to college and prepare them to work."
The biggest hurdle Measure G faces Nov. 4 is the mistrust some people have of the district and its financial management.
"They don't build anything. They just put portables up," said Grand Terrace resident Dan Glozer. "I don't think they've proven to us they've used their money wisely."
Albiso says that there are many new people on the school board and they have their priorities in order.
"The prudent deal right now is to invest in our infrastructure," Albiso said.
"Why can't we have the types of schools we can be proud of?"
Measure G
The Colton Joint Unified School District bond measure would provide money to complete a third high school and make other improvements.
Amount: $225 million
Purpose: Classroom repair, school construction and education improvement
Cost: $40 a year per $100,000 of assessed property value
Approval: 55 percent of voter approval required
Information: www.colton.k12.ca.us