Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/739014
ThoseofuswholiveandvoteintheRed Bluff Joint Union High School District have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the education of our children. ThatopportunityisMea- sure J, which would autho- rize the sale of bonds to raise $26,000,000 for the improve- ment of facili- ties and technol- ogy important for providing a 21st Century ed- ucation to our students. Some have asked me why a local bond measure is necessary. They ask, "Isn't state money avail- able for these kinds of things?" "Won't Proposition 51 take care of our needs?" "Why do we need to raise local taxes?" State facility funding has been erratic. This year we do have State Proposition 51 on the ballot; it is the first Gen- eral Obligation bond for K-12 school or higher education fa- cilities to appear on the state ballot since 2006 (10 years ago). Between 1996 and 2006 (also a 10-year span), in con- trast, the Legislature placed five GO bond measures for K-12 school and higher edu- cation facilities on the ballot, all of which were approved by California voters. The irregular timing of the state's GO bond issuances for school facilities has con- tributed to uncertainty about the availability of state fund- ing. Therefore, more and more school districts have had to rely on locally raised bonds. It also means that many school districts will be competing for Proposition 51 funds if it passes, and that competition would be unfair to Red Bluff Joint Union High School District. The issue of Prop 51 gets complicated. An op-ed this week from Michael Cohen, Governor Brown's Director of Finance, "noted that ear- lier this year the Governor had negotiated with inter- ested parties and proposed a multi-billion dollar school fa- cilities bond that would have changed the current rules for allocating facilities dol- lars to weight them "in favor of poorer districts." However, Cohen claims that real estate developers placed Prop. 51 on the ballot after the develop- ers, and other groups repre- senting home builders and ar- chitects, "refused to agree to a single change" in the exist- ing system for funding K-12 school facilities." The Gov- ernor did not endorse Prop 51 because it did not make changes in the rules for granting money to school dis- tricts, thus preserving the current system which works against districts like our own. In other words, even if Proposition 51 passes, pro- viding state bonds for pub- lic education, the current sys- tem for doing so will still be in place; districts like the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District suffer under that system because of built in inequities. A recent letter to the edi- tor implied the school board could do whatever it wanted with the money from the bonds. The language of the measure does not allow that; the money would need to be spent on the specific items in the detailed language in Ex- hibit A of the measure. This measure is transpar- ent in its purposes and will only cover a little more than half of the actual needs of the district to update facili- ties and classrooms accord- ing to a needs assessment done last fall by RGM, a fa- cilities consulting company and reviewed last spring by a committee of staff and com- munity members. Exhibit A of Measure J carefully spells out what the bond money will be used for. It is a long and detailed list, but it is worth taking time to read it. In summary the money will be used for: 1.) Ca- reer Technology, 2.) Safety and Security of students, 3.) In- frastructure Repairs and Up- grades, and 4.) Americans with Disability Compliance. There will also be a citi- zens' oversight committee and regular reports on prog- ress toward the goals of the bond as well as an indepen- dent audit. Measure J also specifically prohibits money for administrative salaries. As I mentioned in a previous commentary it would cost the median assessed value home owner just 10 cents per day for life of the bond. We can avoid all of the complications above by tak- ing care of our own needs in an expeditious manner and pass Measure J. I encourage your positive vote. JoeHarropisaretired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net. JoeHarrop Measure J, high school district bonds Bottsoffersexperience, leadership for schools Editor: This office is about decision making, budgeting, personnel, negotiating and policy making. In these times it is very benefi- cial to have experience and vigor represented on our board. I have served on many area boards in my lifetime. One person stands out far above any past or current trustee that I have had the privi- lege to work alongside. This per- son is Jill Botts. Jill is the current president of the LMUSD Board. She has been board president for 10 of her 12 years serving our dis- trict. There have been very ex- perienced and qualified trust- ees who could have been se- lected to serve as president over the past 10 years. That said, the decision to elect Jill as presi- dent has been a no-brainer for her fellow board members. She leads with a manner of tough- ness, no nonsense, yet exhibits compassion and caring. Jill is a hands on leader. She chairs several fundrais- ers, and leads a book donation project that has been instru- mental in getting books into the hands and houses of our students, helping our children and families. Her opponent in the election is Jennifer Hall. I have been friends with Jenn for over 25 years. Jennifer Hall is a good person trying to do her part in volunteering her efforts to our community and children. I ap- plaud her. She is energetic and enthusiast to our community. I really like Jennifer. In fact, I will not be running for re- election next term, and support her to run for the open spot I will be leaving. I would be happy to see her get that spot. In fact, she could begin attend- ing board meetings and de- velop an understanding of the complexities of school budget- ing and finance. Board members receive no pay or benefits, and are serv- ing our district for the right reasons. Jill is dedicated, hard working and the most effective board member and president that I have ever served with. She will go toe to toe fighting for our district and children. I support Jill Botts whole- heartedly in this election, and ask you to do the same. Jill is a tireless worker-advocate for our community and children. Our district would suffer without Jill Botts on our board. — Tim Kuhn, Los Molinos Probation system keeping son from work Editor: My son, a father of 4, re- cently got into some trouble and his probation was revoked. He went to court and the probation officer recom- mended 2 years more added to his probation and 45 days in the county jail. His probation officer told him he may qualify for an ankle monitor since he was working at Bell Carter at this time and had been working there for 5 years. We went to the sheriff's de- partment and they told him yes he qualified for the moni- tor and it would cost him $220 and he could go to work with it on. I went to the bank to get the money and when I returned they had changed their minds. He could wear the monitor but he had to work for the sheriff's department, which led him into losing his job. What kind of system do we have that would cost a father of 4 to lose his job? And now they will go af- ter him for not paying his child support, which makes no sense to me. You'd think that they want him to work to feed his kids. No they would rather him cut their grass and pull their weeds. They punish a father not paying child support by tak- ing their driver's license away so they can't go to or look for work. How smart is that? I used to believe in the sys- tem but not anymore. — Stella VerValen, Gerber Liberal columnist wrong on candidates Editor: I have always enjoyed the fact that when liberals are hit with factual information and laws that govern this great country, they drop the real con- tent of the debate and resort to name-calling. Tax codes and laws are granted to every American cit- izen, including Mr. Trump. Mr. Polson pointed out those laws in granting Mr. Trump his ex- emptions. Mr. Minch called Trump an "Oaf." I am not a Trumpster, but he has every right to point out to the American electorate the fact that Hillary says women should be believed when they claim they have been raped — Sep- tember 14, 2015 — but viciously went after Bill's accusers. Mr. Polson, it's not ethical to tangle with someone who is only going to vote for a candi- date for our highest office sim- ply because of that person's gender. Wow. I encourage Mr. Minch to look up Hillary Clinton and any of the following: Whitewa- ter, Sir Edmund Hillary, Libya, Benghazi, Travelgate, Syria, ISIS, Egypt, What difference does it make, Private Server, Cattle Futures, Afghanistan, Filegate, Nuclear Iran, Clin- ton Foundation, Liar Liar, Iraq, Blamed a Video, Hillarycare, Taking sniper fire, Emails, Mus- lim Brotherhood, Failed Foreign Policy, Chinagate, Classified In- formation, Overseas Contin- gency Operation, Russia Re- set Button, Using 911 to defend campaign donations, Going af- ter Bill's rape accusers. Integrity, honesty and worthi- ness should be at the forefront for picking out a president. Gender is not a qualification. — Tom Robinson, Red Bluff Your opinions Cartoonist's take "Guess who I ran into today?" Ironically, such inane, non-ur- gent text messages are at the root of many of the more than one million motorist/deer collisions that occur in the U.S. each year. According to "The Washing- ton Post," more than 200 human deaths arise from those wrecks. The "Post" says deer kill more Americans than any other ani- mal. ("Yeah, but we ferrets com- mit more identity theft. Booyah!") Deer are beautiful creatures and a valuable part of the eco- system, but they can be infu- riatingly unpredictable. The John Deere Company has long used its iconic deer logo and the "Nothing runs like a Deere" slo- gan to sell its tractors and mow- ers. But a more comprehensive slogan about the woodland crea- tures would have been "Noth- ing runs, then freezes, then dou- bles back, then stares, then leaps across the interstate like a deer." My family once had a partic- ularly intelligent cat named Jas- mine, who went cold turkey on crossing the road after witness- ing her daughter being clob- bered by a vehicle. It would be wonderful if deer could put two and two together and remem- ber to profit from the mistakes of their species. But they're like goldfish with antlers. ("Say, do you remember Buck? You know, he tried crossing this very inter- section and was struck by seven 18-wheelers. I wonder whatever became of good ol' Buck?") According to State Farm In- surance, the average claim for a deer collision is around $4,000. In many states, such collisions are an integral part of the econ- omy. ("Put your head through the windshield, put the body shop guy's kids through college. Circle of life.") Various plans have been de- vised for getting the number of accidents down. Then the insur- ance companies would be free to cut the premiums. (Talk about a "deer in the headlights" look from the insurance industry.) Deer can be a problem at any time, but especially during mat- ing season (October-December). The roads would certainly be safer if we could find some way to dampen the passion. (One of my co-workers suggested fly- ing over the forest and dropping marriage licenses, mortgages and tuition bills.) Of course a lot of the problem comes from our hectic modern lifestyle, where we feel we must barrel down country roads at 60 miles per hour. We need to stop and smell the roses, although they distinctly smell like deer urine this time of year. I've been reading about the growing use of medical mari- juana for pets. Maybe it could help keep deer off the road- ways. ("Whoa! Who needs that grass on the other side of the road when I've got THIS state- sanctioned grass?") Public service announce- ments implore drivers to wear seatbelts, observe "Deer Cross- ing" signs, avoid texting and other distractions and make judicious use of the high beams. Easier said than done. Most Americans think "defen- sive driving" means saying, "I have not gone back to gam- bling. None of your business where I go every night. I still have my paycheck right here in my wallet and...AIIIIEEEE!" Motorists are advised that it's better to go ahead and strike a deer rather than swerving and possibly hitting a utility pole or another vehicle. In this sense, deer are seen as expendable, sort of like congressional Republicans. Stay mindful of the deer pop- ulation. I recommend watching the motorcycle epic "When Har- ley Met Sally." And let's not for- get the stoner comedy "Dude, Where's My Hindquarters?" Danny Tyree welcomes email responses at tyreetyrades@aol. com and visits to his Facebook fan page Tyree's Tyrades. Danny Tyree Near and deer — watch out for collisions on country roads GregStevens,Publisher Chip Thompson, Editor EDITORIAL BOARD How to have your say: Letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and no more than two double-spaced pages or 500words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section will be published. Email: editor@ redbluffdailynews.com Fax: 530-527-9251 Mail to: P.O. Box 220, 728Main St., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @REDBLUFFNEWS By Danny Tyree Joe Harrop OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, October 15, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4