Divided approval of Measure D is not exactly what the doctor ordered

Foster City's City Council was indeed making history at the time - due to some decade old resentments and contentions with the School District - they have not supported previous school bond measures.

As local political figures, Wilder, Councilmember Ron Cox and Councilmember Marland Townsend were, in addition, wading through some difficult waters as they voiced approval for a measure that has not traditionally been popular among the voters of Foster City.

The citizen comment section of the City Council meeting was a detailed and illustrative display of that unpopularity - citizens accused the San Mateo Union High School District of the mismanagement of funds, ignoring the needs of Foster City students, not keeping the promise of building a school in Foster City and repeatedly refusing to even meet with the community to discuss their concerns. One resident demanded that Foster City conduct its own audit of the SMUHSD budget. He stated that the District does not need more money. "What it needs is someone who count pennies."

Shots taken at the District were not, however, limited to citizens. Councilmember Eileen Larsen, historically a vocal critic of the District, said that none of "[the bond measures] have included one single cent for Foster City students." Instead she added, "They are asking for a $137 million just to repair other area schools. "If you vote yes on this Bond Measure, you will not be doing anything for the students in Foster City... And our children will remain second-class citizens."

She added that the District is spending money on frills for some schools without taking care of the basic sanitation needs of others. "Money is not the reason we don't have a high school, bad management is," Larsen said.

Vice Mayor Russ Harter also opposed the Bond Measure, but on less personal grounds. "I would have to conclude that Union High School District has become obsolete. And that's not a criticism that it purely a statement of what has happened over time," Harter said. He added that SMUHSD Superintendent Tom Morh is being asked to serve six masters. "The District should be broken up," into several Districts with its own Superintendents, according to Harter.

Wilder admitted that she was extremely upset with the School Board, due in part to its out and out refusal to meet with Foster City.

"That was a totally spineless decision on their part," Wilder said. She added that the School Board's attitude has greatly attributed to the lack of support the bond measures have received in Foster City. But in the end, she said "We have an obligation to educating every child in the state. You have to look beyond your own backyard."

In the past she says there was a fair amount of mismanagement going on, but she expressed some confidence in Tom Morh's recent leadership.

Few would argue that an at least partial buy-in of Foster City is crucial to the passage of Bond Measure D - as it needs a 2/3 majority and has failed by marginal votes in the past. The reduction in dollar amount (from $190 million to $137 million) has not changed many minds so far.

Few would also argue that this divided approval in Foster City will really go that far in terms of changing the minds of its constituency.

Wilder predicted that the support will again be divided. But she added that the District could get by with a simple majority in Foster City, as it will likely receive more than the necessary 2/3 in other areas.

Also on the November ballot is Prop 39 - which would change the voting requirement from 2/3 to a 55 percent vote on bond measure initiatives.

Some have argued that perhaps the District should have just waited until next year to push for Measure D. According to Morh, however, the District could not afford to wait until next year. He said the cost of making repairs rises five to seven percent each year, and he felt obligated to the public not to wait.