As bond taxes increase, they are passed on to all, directly or indirectly, to owners and renters alike, making the City less affordable for all. SMMUSD, instead of trying to live within its means, increasingly aspires to amp up its building binge on steroids,  even delusionally considering taking over the historic Civic Center Auditorium for a volleyball court and wrestling facility: as if that were the real facility shortage at the high school? 

If the district wants to pass another bond this year, it will have to be much more credible as to why it wants to continue massively (already over a billion dollars) increasing the public bond debt for a shrinking population of students. It needs to show how each dollar extracted will provide real long-term benefits and sustainability for all residents and not just shiny new buildings to attract out-of-district students.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2024/01/s-m-a-r-t-column-a-school-district-conundrum/