Voters should be generous again; yes on Measure F

Five years ago, Newport-Mesa property owners generously agreed to tax themselves to bring public schools up to a decent, though by no means extravagant, level. The $110-million Measure A, supported by 72% of the voters, made much-needed improvements to the buildings, restrooms, roofs, interiors and more on campuses across the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Throughout the construction, parent oversight committees have watched the work, ensuring that those schools that most needed the work got it.

Has it all gone perfectly smoothly? Of course not.

Early work was slowed when workers found unexpected termite and dry-out damage. Some students and teachers had to use portable toilets for several months. There has been the inconvenience of construction work.

But has it gone as well or better than could be expected? Absolutely.

As anyone who has done remodeling work on a home will say, the unexpected always happens. Costs rise. Work takes longer than planned. Life is filled with annoyances and nagging little problems until the work is done.

Now, the Measure A work is almost done. But district officials, rather than sitting back and enjoying the improvements made since March 2003, want more. And again they are looking to the generosity of the residents of Newport-Mesa. This time, district officials are asking for passage of Measure F, a $282-million bond.

As voters did in 2000 with Measure A, they should vote yes on Measure F.

The size of the bond is eye-popping -- more than twice as big as Measure A. But the payout could be equally big.

Measure F will complete work not covered by Measure A, notably the rebuilding of Newport Harbor High School’s Robins Hall and Loats Theater and the two new athletic facilities in Costa Mesa: an Olympic-size pool at Costa Mesa High School and a football and track stadium at Estancia High School. Other improvements will include updated science classrooms at the elementary schools, added technology to the schools and performing arts venues at the high schools.

It will, in short, take Newport-Mesa schools beyond just being OK campuses and turn them into the envy of other districts. And that, in short, is no less than what this community rightly demands of itself. As an affluent community, Newport-Mesa’s schools should be among the best, whether judged by how technologically advanced or how well maintained they are. Right now, the campuses are not at that level. Measure F work will get them there.

Importantly, the work will be done in a fair and equitable manner throughout the district. No one school will get more bond money than another.

How do we know this? Because it will be those voting on the bond who will make certain of it. As with Measure A, this bond will create oversight committees made up of members of the community who will watch the millions and millions of dollars. They will be the ones ensuring that the new technology, enhanced landscaping and upgraded libraries are handed out equally to all schools and, therefore, to all students.

It is that central feature of the bond that overrides all concerns about its cost, how well Measure A work has gone and even that, frankly, Measure F doesn’t seem to stack up to Measure A. The project plans are not as detailed. The preparation and presentation of Measure F hasn’t been as thorough and as complete as Measure A. And just last week, John Moorlach, Orange County’s treasurer and a Costa Mesa resident, gave the bond a grade of B. Five years ago, he gave Measure A an A.

Indeed, Measure F is no Measure A. But it still promises a great future for our schools and our students -- a future that, realistically, can be paid for only through a bond measure of this sort.

Five years ago, Newport-Mesa property owners generously agreed to tax themselves to improve the public schools. Tuesday, they should be equally generous and vote yes on Measure F.