Editor,
“Schools Reject Fee Hike on New Building” (Indy, May 13) suggests our school board “refused to impose a hike on fees,” after “district staff” put the revenue increase for homeowners on the board’s agenda. But it was the board that set fee hikes in motion last December, by approving a contract for a consultant’s report to “justify” increased school facility fees for homeowners. Spending thousands in tax dollars for a report to rubberstamp higher fees was buried on the consent calendar for approval without public discussion.
It was the board president’s duty under applicable bylaws to approve or disapprove adding the fee hike on the May 10 agenda, along with a public hearing state law mandates before raising school fees. The May 10 proceedings confirmed school districts can impose additional fees for new or remodeled homes, on top of local property taxes that pay 90 percent of our community’s local school costs.
However, state law also requires a legal finding of “reasonable relationship” between increased construction fees and evidence-based projections of increased school enrollment. This fee increase would raise fees to build or remodel a home from an estimated current average around $5,500 to around $8,000, and was set for quick approval on May 10.
But questions arose in the first public discussion of the report. In addition to calls for more robust public participation and input from the in-coming superintendent, concern was expressed about absence of persuasive locally sourced demographic evidence.
For example, the report implausibly assumes city permits for 3,500 future housing units in Laguna Beach, including 2,300 single-family homes averaging 3,500 square feet each. The report also failed to address projections for stable if not declining student populations recognized by our school board last year.
Still, two board members called for approval of new fees even if not justified by the report, despite state law requiring justification. A majority seemed to favor revising the report then approving the fee increase. The fee increase was tabled by a close 3-2 vote declared by the board’s clerk amid considerable confusion.
See for yourself. Go to LBUSD.org, board meeting of May 10, public hearing (Agenda Item 12), facility fee adjustment (Agenda Item 23). Watch your school board in action.
Howard Hills, Laguna Beach
The author is a school board candidate in the November election.
