Scotts Valley School Board Election 2016

Kim Schultz and Sue Rains Answer Scotts Valley Times’ Question; Two others on ballot drop out of the election

Cathie Simonovich has dropped out of the race for the three full term seats up for election. Left running are three incumbents – Sue Roth, Michael Shulman and Kim Schultz – and two newcomers – Farah Galvez Theissen, and Sue Rains.

Stephanie Espinola has also dropped out of the race to fill the seats of two board members that resigned halfway into their 4-year terms. Left running are – Roger L. Snyder, Gia Schwarzer, and Corey Warner.

Background: Measure A authorized the district to borrow $35 million in order to fund the replacement of the district’s 70-year-old middle school. The bond measure directed $33 million towards the construction of a new Scotts Valley Middle School, supposedly leaving two million dollars for earthquake safety repairs at Vine Hill Elementary School and Brook Knoll Elementary School but this is not enough to also upgrade the elementary school and high school facilities. Many of the elementary school classrooms are so-called temporary facilities and the High School building and grounds need significant upgrades and repairs.

We asked all the candidates just one question about capital improvements for the District. Here are the answers of Sue Rains and Kim Schultz.

Q. How can the district finance the Scotts Valley Unified School Bond of many of its elementary school and high school facilities?

Sue Rains — Two years ago voters approved a $35M bond to rebuild SVMS and make earthquake repairs at the elementary schools. Building plans for SVMS will hopefully be approved in December and then the District will be able to finally issue a contract with a “firm” cost to build. The Board must earn voters’ trust by completing the middle school project on budget. Moving forward, funding repairs needed throughout the District will not be easy. Additional funds could come from passage of State Proposition 51, a $9.0B bond to repair and upgrade schools. With voter approval, we could look at lease financing alternatives or additional facilities bonds. It will take creative ideas and transparency with the community to find the necessary funding.

Kim Schultz — Historically, school facilities have been built with a combination of state and local funds. Proposition 51 will replenish state funding short term and Scotts Valley will benefit with $5 million for the middle school project.

Long term, the district must deliver the project within the approved budget to earn the trust necessary to seek additional local funds for the elementary and high schools. Facility funding should be spread over time commensurate with the useful life of the facility, and the investment and quality of life we enjoy in our community. Facility funding should not compete with instructional and operational budgets and we must do a better job of communicating the realities of school finances in a comparatively rich community.