GUHSD hears status report on BAC

By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun

     EL CAJON — The Grossmont Union School District board of trustees called a special meeting on April 16, 2007 to hear the status report from the GUHSD Bond Advisory Commission. Listed on the agenda for this meeting were issues that concerned the recommendations from the BAC that were presented at the March 29, BAC meeting.
     At the March 29 meeting, the BAC Finance sub-committee presented the idea of creating a $65 million high school sinking fund. They also offered an advisory option to divide Phase 3B into Phase 3B and 3C to better manage the projects that are currently in progress and are on the list to begin. The Finance sub-committee also advised the board to appoint an independent project construction expert (PCE).
     There were also recommendations to thoroughly review all Phase 2B bid specification for conformity with the Proposition H Bond language, to try an “all new route” for the Science Labs/Classrooms issue and consider a separate design/bid/build construction delivery option. And finally, the BAC offered a “lease-leaseback” (funding method) approach for a gross/max pricing; construction cost savings plus extended payment period option.
     The board members were all present to listen and discuss all of the agenda items. Superintendent Terry Ryan said that he has worked very hard on this bond measure and Jim Kelly also assures everyone that he wanted Alpine to have a high school.
     Members from the GUHSD PTA addressed the board, and offered facts that were provided from the district office. The members of the PTA were not sure if the $65 million sinking fund was an affordable action, as the repairs and renovations as well as the new science labs should be completed before anyone discusses building a new high school. Representatives from the Renovations and Repair sub-committee would like a list of prioritized items at each high school, costed out for their reference.
     Scott Patterson, the GUHSD Deputy Superintendent, is very appreciative of all the work that the BAC has done thus far. He supports the idea of working together to make the best of this situation. He has been watching the Grossmont-Cuyamaca model and likes how their project manager has been handling their project.
     Board President, Priscilla Schreiber, has always supported the building of the twelfth high school and is ready to move forward as is Larry Urdahl who is opposed to delaying this project.
     However, board member Dick Hoy voiced his reservations. He is unsure that creating a $65 million sinking fund would be in the best interests of the district and the bond measure. He is not sure that there are enough funds available to create this sinking fund, and he doesn’t want to appear to make any promises to the Alpine community that may cause disappointments later.
     Board member Robert Shield wants to further study the recommendations and he would also like more input from existing staff.
     Despite all of the uncertainty, the BAC chairman, Mark Price, still has hope. He believes that the necessary repairs and renovations can be completed with the $274 million bond, as well as the building of a new high school.

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