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April 29, 2005
At least kids will have the Mall!
In March 2004, the SVUSD passed a $142 million bond issue to modernize, upgrade and enhance Simi Valley schools. Well, it's April 2005 and I don't know about you, but not one hammer, drill bit or forklift has appeard at my local school except to install new whiteboards in classrooms.
WHITEBOARDS?
Meanwhile, a month later, the City broke ground on the $300 million Simi Valley Town Center. Anyone driving down the 118 can see the progress, with Robinsons and Macy's along with the rest of the stores rising from the dirt that once was Simi Valley Days.
So the City, utilizing market techniques and cost incentives is bringing in the mall on time and on budget. How's SVUSD doing? Insiders tell me there has been no cost containment on the bond funds spent so far at Simi & Royal, and they're promising to do a better job next time. These same insiders also tell me that staff knows it's overspending, is doing it anyway and that the bond funds won't last through the project lifecycle.
Just another example of what works, and what doesn't. Well, at least our kids will have the Mall!
What say you?
This makes total sense as people I have spoken with have stated that this bond only represents about half of what is actually needed, but the school district created a threshold by polling the public on how much they were willing to pay for one. Why are we managing school fixed assets from one bond to the next.
I'm ready for another bond in 5 years. Where are all the deferred maintenance funds that the state gives?
Posted by: Scott Blough at April 29, 2005 01:55 PM