Schools supported, not Measure EE
We strongly support our public schools. But we cannot support Measure EE’s additional $350 million tax.
There is no need for a new 10th school site. This tax has no accountability and no senior exemption.
In 2014, our community rallied to pass Measure N, a $150 million tax that was supposed to solve the Los Altos School District (LASD)/Bullis Charter School facilities dispute and provide improvements for the nine existing Los Altos School District campuses.
In 2019, LASD spent approximately $135 million to purchase the 10-acre Kohl’s site in Mountain View. Now LASD is asking taxpayers for an additional $350 million tax.
The site stands as it did in 2019. Nothing has been built – not even a park that was legally contracted to be built by Sept. 30 of this year. Furthermore, LASD enrollment has decreased by 28% – 1,314 fewer students than in 2014.
LASD currently has the excess space on its nine existing campuses to house all 3,361 LASD and 1,000 BCS public school students.
LASD Trustee Ivanovic said “Measure EE doesn’t mention that over 40% of the bond money will not go to LASD facilities. I fault the LASD board for not being forthright. I encourage others to vote against the bond measure.”
LASD: Sell the 10th site. Use that taxpayer money for existing campus improvements. Come back in a few years with a right-sized plan. Detail exactly how you are going to spend our money, with the accountability and consequences if the money is not spent as promised.
We will be the first to endorse that transparent, responsible plan.
Kurt Carlson, Courtenay Corrigan, Michael Ellerin, Brett Ford, Millie Gong, Tony Lima, John Radford, David Roode, Norma Schroder, Thomas Yih
Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents
Editor’s note: According to LASD, its planned net contribution was $28.5 million.
Community is stronger with ‘EE’
As a longtime resident, I’ve always believed that our community’s strength lies in our shared commitment to our neighborhood schools.
It’s no secret that top-ranked education in Los Altos is one of the reasons so many families choose to call our area home.
However, our schools have not been upgraded in nearly 30 years, and it’s time we step up to ensure our students’ future.
Measure EE offers us an opportunity to invest in urgent repairs and restore the small neighborhood schools that are integral to our community’s identity.
These schools are more than just buildings – they shape our children by providing education that begins a lifetime of learning.
By voting yes on Measure EE, we can preserve this legacy and support the excellent education we are so proud of. This investment will benefit us all by maintaining property values, strengthening community bonds, and ensuring that local students have the tools they need to succeed.
Join me in voting Yes on EE for local schools.
Curtis Cole
Los Altos
