Schools
Support 'Still Weak' For School Bond, Consultant Says
Monday night's Los Altos School District board agenda includes details on a survey testing support for a bond measure in November, and a closed session to discuss litigation.
A consultant hired to probe voter support for a school bond in November concludes that awareness of the need for space, and support, is higher than a few months before—but still not enough for success.
The district has been weighing whether to put a bond measure on the ballot to build a new school and enhance existing facilities, and will hear the full presentation on the survey Monday night.
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"Support for a bond measure today, with stronger ballot language, is higher than in April but is still weak for a measure needing 55%, wrote Ruth Bernstein of EMC Research.
The action is being contemplated as the board faces the possibility of closing one of its seven elementary schools in order to provide facilities to Bullis Charter School.
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The board asked EMC Research to conduct a tracking survey on the feasibility of a bond measure for the November 2012. This is a follow-up survey to the survey conducted in April 2012.
The action is being contemplated as the board faces the possibility of closing one of its seven elementary schools in order to provide facilities to Bullis Charter School, which prevailed in an October 2011 state appeals court decision.
While voters remain extremely supportive of maintaining quality education, including avoiding overcrowding, there is low support for building a new school, the memo said.
Bernstein and Jessica Polsky from EMC Research will be on hand Monday to present and discuss the survey results. Sarah Stern of TBWB will also be available to respond to questions regarding the feasibility of a bond measure.
The 7:30 p.m. meeting at the will be preceded by a closed session to discuss existing litigation. Bullis Charter School filed a complaint in early July, asking Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Patricia Lucas to compel the school district to provide "reasonably equivalent" facilities to the charter school, as directed in a March 2012 court mandate.
Los Altos Patch will live blog the event. Watch the homepage or Los Altos Patch Page on Facebook later Monday for information on how to follow along.
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