Torrance readies its bond plans

A teacher wrote:

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Theyt tried something liker that last time. And all we got was some temporary 'hurricane katrina type' classrooms, which have become permanent.
So no, even oversite won't work. It would only be enabling the school district to continue making big mistakes.

Thank you. I guess not looking at the middle of this issue, The beginning has to be looked at, which created this, and if there even a problem. Portraying something as a problem , does not necessary mean there is actually is a problem, If this makes any sense.(should I get away from the new car salesman, My older car is running fine,Just needs a tuneup)(maybe check the dealership practices)

When you "lose" 3 million dollars due to an accounting error, then you do not deserve the right to ask the citizens for more money until you completely open the books and show the taxpayers how their money is being spent. Nevermind the teachers, but the bigwigs, what kind of expense account do they have, how many have had friends or children hired by the same district in which they are employed, what are the pensions of those bigwigs who have retired? What about those "specialty" program directors. What do they do all day? Do they help the teachers with any practical, as opposed to theoretical, applications.
There is a school district in LA County that passed their bond measure, and despite the resulting cuts in the Calif. state budget, they are not releasing teachers. Why? Because their district personel are at the bare bones level. They allocate their money properly and to where it belongs- the classroom. Hey Torrance, many of your children have played weekend games on their fields, because everything is brand new. Torrance has a deep mistrust of it's school district and until there is complete overhaul of all officials, that will remain the case.

[QUOTE who="A Torrance mom says ..... I work in another school district for a contractor and ALL of the money spent .... The bond measure should include an outside,independent auditing system so the money is never abused again.[/QUOTE]

Ahhhhh, now I see why your strong support for this TAX. You work for a school district. me thinks your judgement is clouded by greed and self interest. But I thought it was "For the Children".

music wrote:

<quoted text> Thank you. I guess not looking at the middle of this issue, The beginning has to be looked at, which created this, and if there even a problem. Portraying something as a problem , does not necessary mean there is actually is a problem, If this makes any sense.(should I get away from the new car salesman, My older car is running fine,Just needs a tuneup)(maybe check the dealership practices)

You certianly make the most sense. We are relying on the the school district to tell us their is a problem to they can get more money. Your absultely right. Thank you.

Perhaps before this goes to the voters a inspector general or special master should be appointed to look at the districts operations and finances.

Not some 'professional consultant' paid for by the district to report what the district wants reported.

If its so bad declare it insolvent and let the state run it for awhile.

A Torrance Mom wrote:

Oversight needed for any bond measure! I work in another school district for a contractor and ALL of the money spent has to be approved by a Citizen's Oversight Committee BEFORE it is spent. No money for bonuses for administrators, period. And the Oversight Committee is chosen by voters. All money has been spent to improve the school structures, not for bonuses or any other way to give extra money to administrators. The bond measure should include an outside, independent auditing system so the money is never abused again.

Oversight needed for any bond measure!?????????
You gotta be kidding right ??? Oversight WAS part of Measure "R" and guess what, they still found a way to squander OUR tax dollars. How does a $40K bonus to the superintendent benefit the children ??????????

Walker wrote:

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Yes you are, Out of Touch. Our tax money should take care of schools in total. That includes gardening, maintenance, and painting. Though it is wise of you NOT to support a bond measure.
Remember the concept of vouchers for education ? so you could get basically a rebate of you paid tuition for your child at a private school. It sure scared the S -- t out of the district, didn't it?

I too think that our tax dollars should pay for everything, but when faced with a deficit I am saying people should be allowed to roll up the sleeves and get out there and contribute what they can. That's what Catholic schools do....save the $ for things that most parents aren't able to do, and get the parents involved with the school by contributing what they can in physical/manual labor.

Most of Torrance's schools are 50+ years old and we have only passed one school bond measure in 61 years. No wonder they're in such disrepair. Torrance's current school bond tax load is $17K per $100K assessed value. The average for 69 districts is $56 per $100K. The average bond amount per student in 69 districts is $8,496. In Torrance, it's $1,715. TUSD serves over 25,000 students, with smaller class sizes and fewer administrators than other districts. 70% of TUSD's budget goes into the classroom. That's far above the state's mandate of 55%. It's time to step up and support our schools -- one of Torrance's greatest assets.

A teacher wrote:

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Ahhhhh, now I see why your strong support for this TAX. You work for a school district. me thinks your judgement is clouded by greed and self interest. But I thought it was "For the Children".

Try reading "TEACHER"! I said I work for a contractor, not the school district. How can you claim to be a teacher if you can't understand context and have no reading comprehension? Maybe the money has been wasted hiring incompetent teachers? Thank God my child's teachers are actually educated and care about the kids, unlike some...

At this point, The school board should be aware of the concern citizens. At this moment, What measures has taken to address the issues raised on this comment thread ? Anything changed ? Is anything going to change ?

A Torrance Mom wrote:

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Try reading "TEACHER"! I said I work for a contractor, not the school district. How can you claim to be a teacher if you can't understand context and have no reading comprehension? Maybe the money has been wasted hiring incompetent teachers? Thank God my child's teachers are actually educated and care about the kids, unlike some...

Wow ! Someone hit a freaky button. You said you work for a school district contractor. So stick to your B.S. and don't do a change up. You are financially obligated to a school district. Also shrill, alarmist, and a whiner, so move on sister and let more reasonable, capable, and unbiased minds deal with this.

Defense wrote:

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Wow ! Someone hit a freaky button. You said you work for a school district contractor. So stick to your B.S. and don't do a change up. You are financially obligated to a school district. Also shrill, alarmist, and a whiner, so move on sister and let more reasonable, capable, and unbiased minds deal with this.

So what's your solution? I think many people would agree the schools are in terrible shape. What can be done? It doesn't matter what the solution is or who comes up with it as long as the schools get fixed.