Supporting the new bond adds up nicely

It’s been a long time since my kids were students in Costa Mesa’s schools, but I’ve been in one for the last six years as a volunteer in the Reading by 9 Program.

I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of Measure A improvements and observed the need for improving and enriching the learning experience through expanded and upgraded facilities and the use of technology. I’ve talked with a prior teacher of the year who carries her science class teaching materials around in a cardboard box.

As a board member of the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation, I read teacher grant applications for classroom projects in reading, math, science, music and other areas for which district funding is not available. This year’s dollar value of those applications is about four times greater than the foundation’s ability to fund them. The need is clearly there.

Measure F is the logical and prudent next step to continue to invest in our future: the children of our city. Measure F maintains our current property tax rate and caps the total amount of money that can be raised. If your property is valued at around $500,000, it’ll cost you a little more than $100 a year. We can afford this.

Please vote yes on Measure F.

* BRUCE GARLICH is a Costa Mesa planning commissioner.

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