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By Bill Weaver Alpine Blossom Valley High
September 4,2012 (Alpine)--Let's help to dispel ill-fated news on a 12th high school in Alpine (HS12) by a "Focus", on the "Top Five HS12 Myths", Let's demystify the most commonly tossed-about HS12 less-than-honest rumors;
#1) We [GUHSD] are in declining enrollment.
>> Irrelevant; The high schools directly affected by the HS12, have now been, "De-Mythed" by a GUHSD Boundary Committee. BC reports, charts & demographic data show that the entire GUHSD will benefit by HS12, which will bring hundreds of new students back to the GUHSD, and several million($) in new CA ADA funding back.
#2) We [GUHSD] can't afford to cover all HS12 operating expense (OPEX).
>> Wrong; HS12 will more than cover its own costs, and then some. In the initial two years after opening the OPEX is challenging, then comes a gainful surplus in operating revenue. There is data that strongly and credibly supports a plan that covers all OPEX. If there is cooperative and proactive GUHSD Gov. Bd. and Administration actions, the HS12 will meet its own OPEX from day one. There is a way, but only if the will exists by those in-charge.
#3) There will be no sports teams or fields.
>> Wrong; Freshman sports can be covered, a plan for JV & Varsity sports is something that can be worked out. We need GUHSD and community willingness to discus various options and to plan for how to make these sports programs happen. Once again, if there is the will, we can make this work to benefit us all.
#4) An existing high school must be closed if HS12 opens.
>> Wrong; This is simply a bunch of Anti-HS12 gibberish, nobody has ever considered this floated rumor as reality... please ignore it.
#5) GUHSD teachers and staff will lose jobs, and relocation of same will be problematic.
>> Wrong; A new high school, will be saving money because its cost-per-student will be markedly lower than all the other campuses, and the HS12 will bring hundreds of new students, and million$ in new revenues.
Think about all the above;
The HS12 means more students, more CA ADA, and much more efficient education on a costs-per-student basis; the best in the district. This all adds up meaning "more teachers, and more staff jobs" will be needed and teachers otherwise laid off, will be kept.
There will be more opportunities for the community, the teachers, and the students, and with the added revenues coming in to cover these needs, where is the downside... we don't see it. We can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the HS12 project makes good sense, given the openly debated, and give and take opportunity to make the case for the HS12.
Long-range there is proof in reports and data that there is no downside. Short term, it takes vision and guts to do something new, state-of-the-art, and never done before. We need a visionary and gutsy board majority... we do not have that today.
Have further questions?
As one of the three majority controlling Gov. Bd. members once said during a published (not-so-distant past) Union/Tribune press interview, "Bring 'em on!"
What "we" mean by this is that somebody in-the-know will be happy to take questions on, one question at a time, in any open debate or forum. Us hoping that those posing the questions are prepared to talk the talk, and walk the walk... in the same room and at the same time... let us get down to the nitty and the gritty... of the anti-HS12 rumor mill.
Sincerely,
Bill Weaver
Bill Weaver is a candidate for the GUHSD, as well as East San Diego County education and civic advocate. He was named Alpine Leadership and Public Service Citizen of the Year – 2009. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
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