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The Alpine and Blossom Valley area community members can help to ensure that we are given our promised new GUHSD Prop H high school. Please be an advocate for our children.
A Message Of History -- The New Alpine/BV High School's Beginnings -- From Before Prop H Up 'Till Now
Dear AHSCC Reader...
In February 2007, a Bond Advisory Commission (BAC) was formed to investigate the implementation, management, and find solutions to the problems of Proposition H. The Bond Advisory Commission (BAC) was a group of ten appointed commissioners including construction, finance, legal, administrative, and education expertise. The BAC produced a 186-paged report providing a roadmap for continuing Proposition H. They accomplished this amazing result and they were commissioned to get the job done in only 100 days! A model (the BAC) and efficiency guide to the GUHSD; on how to do a lot, do it well, and do it in a efficient and timely fashion.
The BAC sought to treat all projects of the bond as equally important and achievable. Familiarize yourself with the BAC and other Prop H reports at www.ahscc.com/page4.html. This is the web-based resource page, “BAC Reports and Facts”, provided by the Alpine High School Citizens’ Committee (AHSCC).
The GUHSD is faced with a shortfall in funds available to complete all of the Prop H projects, including the 12th new high school. Project costs have increased, their scope has grown, and GUHSD facility modernization needs had been underestimated.
So what is the status of the 12th new high school that was promised for our community in Prop H? We would like our kids attending a local high school rather than commuting down the hill, a safety concern, and a waste of considerable time that could be spent more productively.
We all have a stake in this. Local realtors know that the absence of a local high school adversely affects property values. Families have moved from Alpine as their children approach high school age, others don’t move to our area.
All of our local business, and our elementary school districts are adversely affected. Few communities of Alpine and Blossom Valley’s size do not have a local high school. Prop H, the $275 million bond that combined with State matching funds would total about $475 million, was to be for repair and renovations of the 11 existing high schools in GUHSD and to construct a new 12th high school in the Alpine and Blossom Valley area.
When Prop H was before the voters it was widely published that the tax assessment to pay for Prop H would be about $28 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. A home assessed at $500,000 would pay an annual tax of about $140 to pay off the bond.
It was estimated in the Base 2003 GUHSD Long Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP), that a comprehensive high school for Alpine would cost $72 million. This was about 19% (See 2003 GUHSD-LRFMP %'s Table) of the available bond and matching funds for projects then categorized: “Must Do - Should Do - Want To Do”. The original 2003 Base LRFMP is the only known basis for developing the bond project list.
If the optional “Want To Do” Items are subtracted from this Base LRFMP, the 12th new high school pencils out at about 27% of the entire bond total in 2004 budgeted dollar amounts, by far the single largest original project in Prop H.
The Grossmont Board recognized that it had a problem on its hands. They appointed an independent Bond Advisory Commission (BAC). The BAC had 4 subcommittees – Finance, Repair & Rehabilitation, Facilities & Curriculum, and Site Selection. In June 2007 they issued a comprehensive report that contained 154 specific recommendations to the Board.
We will skip the BAC report details, but the critical conclusions merit repeating now. The Finance Subcommittee (BAC-FSC) called for the immediate hire of professionals to take over managing Prop H projects. The Board accepted that recommendation and hired the reputable firm of Gafcon-Harris in September 2007.
G-H demonstrated expertise and exceptional competence in managing bond projects for Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District and the Sweetwater School District. There is every indication that Prop H is now being managed with the proper controls in place. Another factor is that while costs were escalating, the Prop H bond tax rate actually went down. Even though housing prices have leveled off or dropped, they’ve increased a great deal since Prop H was passed. Under Prop 13, properties are re-assessed whenever there is a resale. Valuations since Prop H passed in 2004 have increased in excess of inflation.
In order not to collect more than the $274 million original bond amount, applied bond tax rates were lowered to reflect the increased valuations. The BAC recommended to the Board a difficult but necessary solution. A bond extension, or a new bond is needed with a tax rate again at around $28 per $100,000 - the original Prop H figure. A follow-on bond DUBBED Prop U ($417 million) passed on November 4th, 2008. "U" is that recommended new bond...
What happens if the NEW Board (WITH GARY WOODS), don't support the new Bonds' Alpine/BV high school? Then this becomes a contentious struggle of right and wrong in how existing bond funds are spent.
The board should vote for the funds for the 12th new high school, immediately upon "U's" passage. The BAC proposed, and the GUHSD Board agreed, that $65 million should be set aside and did so last year. This $65 million could (but an ethics fight will OR SHOULD ensue!) still be used for purposes other than the 12th high school if the Board wishes. It has been said that $20 mil of this amount will be set aside to buy the 12th High Schools land, and site prep will then immediately begin. The actual construction funds are budgeted under the successful Prop U measure that GUHSD Board Member Jim Kelly voted against. The 3 sites EIR reports are to be released publically in January, 2009. All $65 million of Prop H funds that were set aside should arguably be used for the new High School, however with the passage of Prop U, there is sufficient funds to certainly complete ALL listed Prop H projects, and presumably all the identified Prop U projects.
Respecfully,
Bill Weaver, Chairman - Alpine High School Citizens Committee
At a board meeting (03/08/07), the Grossmont Unified High School District unanimously voted to proceed with Environmental Impact Reviews (EIRs) on three (3) sites… - Site J - Lazy A horse ranch on East Alpine Boulevard,
- Site B - Wright's Field south of the town center, and
- Site G - Chocolate Summit overlooking Cajon Valley's new middle school at Dunbar Lane
 EIR Study Areas : At this link you will find maps and detailed information on the three (3) Alpine/BV high school potential sites... the full EIR report on the three sites was released on January 7th of 2009.
Member Report Re:
The GUHSD Governing Board Meetings Of December
11th, and November 13th,
2008
At
the December 11 th GUHSD Governing Board
meeting
the first two hours were
the swearing in of Priscilla Schreiber (re-elected) and Gary
Woods plus a procession of awards and recognitions, a
refreshment break, and Board formalities, including the
election (5-0 vote) of the new Board President; Rob Shield.
Dick Hoy was re-elected as
Board V.P. (5-0 vote)
and Jim Kelly is the Board Clerk (5-0
vote). The real action started at 8:15 PM. Katy Wright (Gafcon) gave the Prop H update. They are ready to move on to the last remodel phase (3BR), and are looking to tap the $65 M escrow account, which staff has recommended be done, and the Board approved by a 5-0 vote (more detail later). But most important was Katy Wright's discussion of the EIR for the 3 Alpine/BV school sites. The draft EIR is complete and will be released Jan 7th There will then be a 45 day public comment period and other key parties will also be asked their views, including our 2nd district supervisor Diane Jacob and the Alpine Planning Group. The public comment period is scheduled to end on Feb. 23rd, 2009. The APG's input will be requested on Jan. 22 (tentative) The comment period will end on Feb 23rd. There is now a GUHSD sponsored "update meeting" scheduled for Wed., Feb. 4th, 2009, at 6 PM, at the Alpine Community Center (1830 Alpine Blvd., in Alpine); then the GUHSD Board will finalize the EIR for certification in May or June (A meeting now scheduled for Thursday, May 14th, 2009). At that point a site will likely be recommended, State approval required, along with the various mitigations or overrides that will lead to site purchase.
The actual site acquisition now seems targeted for the latter half of 2009. With that scenario on the table, the core issue of the $65 M escrow was up next. Under the resolution, the $65M is to be divided; $45M for phase 3BR works, and $20M for purchase of the school site following completion of the EIR and site selection. But the new twist was that the $20 M would come from either Prop H or Prop U whereas the other $45M was solely from Prop H. Priscilla Schreiber objected to this change - correctly noting that all of the $65 M escrow was Prop H and that this was once again a signal that the Board was sliding away from an Alpine school. Jim Kelly defended this new course by saying that by the time the site was selected we'd already be digging into the Prop U funds so this change actually gave the district more flexibility. He added that there was no deception intended. Collins said that indeed funds could be used from either H or U to acquire the property and that they were now committed to build the school. AHSCC members in attendance noted this as the first fudge of Prop U… because it is clear from the U ballot text that U funds were to be used for site infrastructure and school construction - clearly contemplating site acquisition funds were to come solely from Prop H. Board VP - Dick Hoy said it was his intent in voting for this resolution that the Board was now agreeing to moving forward with the Alpine/BV new school. This prompted new Board Member Gary Woods to make his one and only statement of the evening, "I support the Alpine high school." Keep in mind that just 2 months ago Woods was quoted in the UT as being completely opposed to the high school. After little discussion, the vote was 4-1 in favor of the resolution with Priscilla Schreiber casting a symbolic NO vote because of the revision. The “As The GUHSD World Turns” saga continues... the next episode; Thursday, January 15, 2009
Regular Board Meeting
Public Session - 6:00 p.m.
The November 13th, 2008 Grossmont Governing Board sitcom... err... aah... drama... or episode of "As Our GUHSD World Turns" was tame by comparison to prior ones. This one also had its dramatic moments. Attending this GUHSD board meeting from Alpine were Sal Casamassima, Bill Weaver, Gina Henke, and Ann Pierce. (A special kudo to Bill for giving a brief but eloquent thank you to Collins, Urdahl, Schreiber, Hoy and even Shield for supporting the Prop U bond.) Jim Kelly was absent. It was mentioned that his son was seriously ill and he could not be there. We are truly saddened to hear that and wish all the best to the Kelly's and the children, hoping all turns out for the best. Leading off were two public statements from (assumed) two Helix parents. Both ripped into GUHSD Governing Board Trustee Jim Kelly, the winning new elected Governing Board (Kelly's #1 chosen candidate) Member Gary Woods and loser Kelly's #2 chosen candidate) Meg Jednyak for that disgraceful, sham news conference. One of them requested that there be a recall election of Kelly and strongly suggested he be criminally investigated. Shortly thereafter the Board and Superintendent Robert Collins addressed the subject. Superintendent Collins gave a clear presentation of what type of investigation re Helix was going on and that a full report was to come out in December. In a not so subtle reference to Kelly, he added that no conclusions should be drawn by anyone prior to the report. Larry Urdahl and Priscilla Schreiber also gave their two cents, with Priscilla in particular ripping into Kelly. However, the night belonged to Dick Hoy, GUHSD Board Vice President, who had a carefully prepared statement. His statement was calm and measured, his words admonished Member Kelly for his rogue press conference re: Helix Hs.. It can't be given justice by summarizing it so you can see it on the GUHSD web site. Dick got a rousing ovation from the packed audience and Leonel Sanchez was feverishly taking notes - so you're sure to read more of this in the UT. On the business side, there were small tidbits of good news. Katy Wright of Gafcon noted Prop H work was on schedule and that they were ready to proceed with the last (3BR) design phase. She didn't mention the $65M escrow that we all love so dearly but did put up a chart showing the schedule for the first phase of the new school. The draft EIR is scheduled for January. Jim Panknin, CBOC chair, stated he would continue in that role for another year (good news) and that one benefit of the economic slowdown was lower costs for construction and materials that will substantially stretch Prop U dollars. Finally, Lucia Washburn, gave a report on dropout reduction, the bottom line of which is that there is an overall enrollment increase of 500+ students in the district. Not sure how much of this is concentrated in the 11 major schools that comprise the Prop U enrollment trigger but we are certainly well above last year's figure. That's it - overall a good night.
(Scroll just below to see AHSCC Sub-Committees contacts list)
The Alpine High School Citizens Committee has appointed Sub-committees to attend the various meetings scheduled, and report back to the AHSCC regarding the events of these meetings. Contact information for the AHSCC Sub-committee Chairs is below...
- AHSCC Membership & Recruitment Sub-committee Chair:
contact: toddnielsen@ahscc.com Todd Nielsen
- AHSCC Secretary
- AHSCC CBOC Oversight Sub-committee Chair:
contact: barbaralowe@ahscc.com Barbara Lowe
- AHSCC Strategic Planning Sub-committee Chair:
contact: georgebarnett@ahscc.com George Barnett
contact: billweaver@ahscc.com Bill Weaver
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