Letter: Me and Measure K

(Logical thinking is the act of using reasoning skills, analyzing a situation and all pertinent facts to present a sensible, rational solution to the studied problem. (Facts don’t include statements like “It’s a fact that I think I can do this”)

Bearing this in mind and, with highlighter in hand, I sat down to tackle the wordy Measure K Text and Exhibit, in my search for the meaty, relevant to education inspirations and logical actions. The pages of text, I discovered, left me with plenty of ink left in my highlighter as it was largely about the justification, explanation, and authorization to utilize a side gate bypass to Prop 39 issues. So, Got that!

On to the exhibit…

The project list looked a lot like the ordinary, everyday, kitchen table-created project list we all have except, possibly OSHA inspections, and that most of us actually do prioritize. We do feel the need to plan the annual or even monthly spending expectations. We even get some preliminary cost information to include in our list and often organize our list into months or years. That would be especially true if planning for 25 years. But then, I’m just a 78-year-old household planner with more than a half-century of experience in that activity.

The flowery and extensive paragraph that followed the list grabbed my intense focus in the second sentence when I caught the word “assumed”. Moving on, there is discussion on determining final costs but, conspicuously absent is a discussion on approving preliminary cost projections for each project. We are to swallow, I mean accept comfort, in reading that the Board, whoever they may be in years to come, will aggressively pursue some envisioned, possible, state matching funds that may or may not appear. Oh NO, now what’s this up ahead? We’ll be building and relocating fire access roads? Oh my, what a grand plan for only $107,000,000 to meet the needs of approximately 15.3 percent (population under 18) of 21,414 people. Using these 2020 United Stated Census Bureau figures that’s about 3,276 kids. Straight from my calculator = $32,659 each. Obviously, things change, so these numbers might also, such as when you add the debt service, for example, which could nearly double the “107” number, not to mention the assumption that the rate of current extravagant inflation won’t pop the plan balloon.

Perhaps wisdom dictates a search for a prioritized plan to: 1. Fix leaky roofs, 2. Repair plumbing and sewer systems, 3. Make and arrange reasonable security improvements, 4. Repair or replace air systems (the Nugget in Carson City may have some helpful suggestions).

Do these things, LTUSD Board, with current maintenance funds, which should have been in play for years now. We’ll all be anxious to see how you do. We’ll check your homework and when you pass the test we’ll move you on to a more advanced program.

In the meantime. Measure K gets an F. Vote no on K.

Elizabeth Buchmiller
47-year resident,
Parent and Grandparent of graduated LTUSD students