Patch Blog: School Board Candidate Corrects the Record

In her letter to the La Cañada Valley Sun editor of October 27, Lauren Oakes grossly misrepresents my point of view on our school district's financial hardships and the potential solutions. In my campaign, I have consistently reiterated the need for the board to provide both communication and leadership so that we, as a community, can  best protect the tremendous asset we have in our schools.  I am not predisposed to any particular course of action.

Money may not always solve problems, but losing money usually creates them. Ms. Oakes seemingly ignores the fact that we face significant financial challenges due to the continuous reduction in per pupil funding from the state as well as declining enrollment.  We have lost more than $800 per pupil since 2007 and are facing further reductions this year of $260 - $330 per student.

At meetings like the one Ms. Oakes attended, it has been made abundantly clear to me that the community expects the school board to be exhaustive in its search for all possible cost cutting options and funding solutions. In light of the difficult financial challenges, these meetings have included some very frank discussions regarding the alternatives, including what they are, how they would work, and the costs and benefits associated with each of them. In some of my conversations, I have used hypothetical examples to illustrate the impact of these options, including a hypothetical parcel tax and hypothetical transfer tax, alongside what is likely to happen if we do nothing.

I have made it clear that, ultimately, the board would need to analyze various options and provide the community with a thoughtful presentation of the many different scenarios and options for consideration.

Whatever solution we decide on, it is *we* who will decide, as a community, not the board alone. Neither I nor anyone else has either the power or intention to force anything through. That is the precise opposite of what I stand for and why I am running for school board.  To find out more about what I am truly "for", please visit my website, www.ellenmultari.com.

I appreciate this opportunity to correct the record.

La Cañada