When thinking about education, many times it is only done from the purely pedagogical field, however, the facilities play a fundamental role in the school training of students who come to them daily, and far from not being enough to stimulate their full potential, sometimes they don't meet the basics.
Given this, the proposal or Measure S for Redwood City is on the table and on the ballot, which seeks a source of financing to provide improvements to school facilities, mainly those that were built more than 50 years ago, without covering the district staff salaries.
Why do we need Measure S?
Redwood City has a long way to go to bring our school buildings up to today's demands, so specific funding is needed to meet these needs and provide hands-on instruction in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. from the real world to all students in the district.
In an interview with Peninsula 360 Press, Wei-Ting Cheng, co-chair of the Campaign for Measure S, pointed out that this proposal is a response to the master plan that the district previously carried out to improve buildings, facilities and support services for students. , which resulted in the need for about 600 million dollars during the first phase.
And it is that, he said, "the buildings are very old and need improvements, mainly because 50 years ago there was not so much education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, subjects that require the use of technologies to improve student learning."
Likewise, he commented that about 15 years ago they began to realize the impact of climate change in the classrooms, and now it is necessary to air condition, heat, as well as to deny the air with filtration systems, mainly after a pandemic like the one that lived.
So, he added, if this measure is achieved and the necessary financing is obtained, that "will allow the configuration and obtaining of additional functionalities in schools, which not only generates benefits among the teaching staff or students, but also for the community in general by having better schools."
“There are a lot of people who are thinking about what this measure would cost them financially, or whether the measure will have results in student learning services; however, we will have healthy students and students who can learn. And that's why, that's why it's important," he concluded.
Measure S will cost homeowners $24 per $100,000 of assessed ?not market? of your home per year while the bonds are in force.
If Measure S, which is on the ballot for a vote on November 8, is approved, the new tax will not appear until after the first bond issue is sold, at least a year or more from now.
It should be noted that the funds will be allocated, for the moment, to "improvements of the facilities" and then a forceful prioritization process will be carried out on the projects that must be promoted.
It is important to stress that these funds can only be used within the Redwood City School District and a citizens' oversight committee will be in place to provide accountability and oversee annual audits.
The ballots are already in the hands of the voters and now is the time to vote for real improvements in the schools so that the students are the most benefited and to be able to promote the teaching that during the more than two years of the pandemic deeply affected hundreds of children. and young people in education.
If approved by local voters, Measure S would generate approximately $298 million to complete projects such as repairing and upgrading science, technology, engineering, arts, and math classrooms and labs.
Also, to bring all schools to the same level of learning and safety; provide dedicated classrooms for music, art, and performing arts electives; as well as upgrading air conditioning, heating and filtration systems and providing sustainable emergency reinforcements.
Pamela Cruz. Editor-in-Chief of Peninsula 360 Press. A communicologist by profession, but a journalist and writer by conviction, with more than 10 years of media experience. Specialized in medical and scientific journalism at Harvard and winner of the International Visitors Leadership Program scholarship from the U.S. government.
Twittter: @Pamesmiamiga
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