WHERE ALL THE MONEY WENT

By Ron LaGuardia

As chairman of the Measure R Bond campaign committe, I witnessed first hand in 2001 how the school district conducted surveys of residents in Moorpark to identify and prioritize projects to be earmarked for the general obligation bond (by law, funds can only be used for school facilities). The District itemized each of the projects according to the survey results, and included only those projects on the ballot that polled the highest on that survey.

As chairman of the Measure R Bond campaign committe, I witnessed first hand in 2001 how the school district conducted surveys of residents in Moorpark to identify and prioritize projects to be earmarked for the general obligation bond (by law, funds can only be used for school facilities). The District itemized each of the projects according to the survey results, and included only those projects on the ballot that polled the highest on that survey.

Before that bond was approved by Moorpark voters in 2002 by a 70% margin, the school district was poised and ready to immediately start construction on the bond projects. As chairman of the Measure R Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee, once again I was able to witness first hand how work began immediately on the renovation of the Walnut Canyon Auditorium, as well as the much needed renovations to Peach Hill, Flory, and then the new classroom buildings at Campus Canyon, Mountain Meadows and Arroyo West. Before the construction was done, virtually every school in the district benefited from the efficient and effective use of the funds.

Other school and college districts that passed general obligation bonds that year weren't so fortunate. If you recall, construction costs began to soar in 2002 due to the increased demand from China's building boom as well as other building projects in the U.S. We are still feeling the effects of these increased costs in the bleak housing market we have today. School districts that waited even 3 months to begin their projects found that their bond funds were able to purchase far less than when the bond originally passed. It was the quick action by MUSD administration that enabled Moorpark School District to save an estimated $3 1/2 million by starting and completing these bond projects ahead of schedule.

MUSD, like all other school districts in California, is facing a financial crisis. The school district appreciates the support that Moorpark residents' have given its schools and our kids in the past. Now more than ever, we need everyone to work together to get through this tough time. Together we can make it happen.