CUSD Presentation on School Facility Bonds

Dawn Urbanek | urbanek@cox.net | Support Independent Research- Donate to The Equity Project

Board Meeting Agenda page 1
Board Audio: CUSD does no record workshops (so much for "transparency")

CUSDWatch Question:
Why would San Clemente Taxpayers want to fund repairs at Palisades Elementary School in Capo Beach. Should that be a nonstarter for San Clemente Taxpayers?

CUSDWatch Comment
Facilities Condition Assessment Districtwide Executive Summary

• Final Report dated November 15, 2017 (almost 2 years ago)

Priority I:
Conditions in this category require immediate action to:

• a) Correct a cited safety hazard,
• b) stop accelerated deterioration, and/or
• c) return facility to operation.

Deficiencies in this category should be addressed in year 1 (2017-18 or 2018-19)
Priority II:
Conditions in this category, if not corrected expeditiously, will become critical within a year (so they are "critical" now 2019) Situations within this category include:

• a) intermittent operations,
• b) rapid deterioration, and
• c) potential life safety hazards.

CUSD "chose" to give across the board compensation increases rather than fix and maintain facilities. CUSD was obligated to fix any issues that threaten the health and safety of staff and students BEFORE giving employees any raises.
Facilities Assessments for San Clemente Schools

• Truman Benedict Elementary School
• Concordia Elementary School
• Marblehead Elementary School
• Clarence Lobo Elementary School
• Vista del Mar Elementary School
• Bernice Ayer Middle School
• Vista del Mar Middle School
• Shore Cliffs Middle School
• San Clemente High School

San Clemente Capital renewal Costs: $38,079,600

• Priority 1: $21,762,000
• Priority 2: $16,317,600

Facilities Assessments for Capo Beach Schools

• Palisades

Palisades Capital Renewal Costs: $3,465,100

• Priority 1: $3,280,900
• Priority 2: $184,200

Interesting- at the June 20, 2019 CUSD BOT Meeting the Stated Facilities needs for Palisades was $12,773,600 million. Why has this been reduced to $3,465,100 now? Was CUSD trying to "overcharge" San Clemente taxpayers by $9 million dollars?

see: CUSDWatch: June 20, 2018 CUSD BOT Meeting Agenda Item #42 SCHOOL FACILITIES AND FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE BOND MEASURE TIMELINE

CUSDWatch Comment:

Costs for these buildings are a guess. They have not up-dated their facilities Master Plan and have not done the work to determine a ball park cost on these four buildings.

CUSDWatch Comment:
More Guessing.

CUSDWatch: Suggestion
Sell San Clemente High School's Upper Campus and use that money to fix all of the San Clemente Schools (including Talega Schools) and exclude Palisades.

or

Allow the City of San Clemente to take back its schools. Taxpayers would then gladly fund the facilities and programs that our students have always been guaranteed under the California Constitution, but CUSD has chosen not to fund.

The State of California has record high revenues:

In 2019, the State of California is enjoying record high revenues of $209 billion. That is up from $143 billion in 2007-08. The State of California has sufficient revenue to provide CUSD with sufficient funding to provide CUSD with adequate funding, but is "choosing" to fund other programs and entitlements that are not Constitutionally mandated. Public Education is the State of California's number one Constitutionally mandated spending priority ask the State for the money you need. Not one more penny from Orange County taxpayers. Not one more penny for employee compensation.

California Budget: 2007-08 and 2019-20

As an example: California has $55 billion that is currently budgeted for High Speed Rail project which has been partially suspended and may not be built.

California 5-year Infrastructure Plan

The California Public Education system is on a path to bankrupt the State. The State is estimated to have over $1.3 trillion in debt (much of that is school bond debt).

Local School Facility Bond Measures

In a Nut Shell

The 2018-19 California State Budget is a record high $201 billion dollars.

Newly Elected Governor Newsom is proposing a 2019-20 budget of $209 billion.

At the same time, the legislature is looking for new ways to spend a $16 billion dollar surplus.

There is no surplus. California's State and Local debt totals an estimated $1.3 trillion dollars.

California "Local" School Facility Bond Debt is $168 billion.

Say No to School Facility Bonds. Break up large unified school districts that have more political power than the Cities they represent.

Regarding Employee Compensation

CUSDWatch Comment

Starting Teachers Make $53,444.00

This is the latest Published salary schedule on CUSDs web site; CUEA Contract July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017 at page 80

This is also the latest Published salary schedule on CUEA's web site CUEA Contract July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017 at page 80 CUEA's website states that the 2017-19 Contract is coming soon yet there has been no public disclosure of any contract negotiations from either party.

When you look at Transparent California, there are teachers that are making more than the highest salary listed in the Salary Schedule at $104,828?

There are to many pages to print See Transparent California if you click on the title "Regular Pay" it will sort from highest to lowest by regular pay.

How can so many teachers be so far above the negotiated salary schedule?

How does this effect their retirement?
Are they adding "additional assignments" and "6/5th teaching positions" to their "Regular Pay"?

Is this Pension Spiking?

As a taxpayer, I am sick of our public education system being used to continually raise revenue for increased employee compensation and to promote the political of the progressive left.

No more money until the education of California students is the priority of the Public Education System.

Public Disclosure of Collective Bargaining Agreements