The Committee on Chicano Rights (CCR), it has challenged a high school district to a public debate over a local school bond.CCR
President Herman Baca charged that the Sweetwater Union High School District Proposition BB is a “boondoggle” and a “rip-off” of the poorest homeowners of National City, San Ysidro, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach.
“These people will have to pay the entire $187 million on the bonds while excluding the more affluent parts of the districts,” said Baca.
The areas whom Baca said would not be taxed are Eastlake, Rancho Del Rey and
Long Canyon, the hottest real estate market in San Diego county with new homes selling for as high as $300,000.
If approved, the bond is slated to rebuild schools built over 60 years ago and serve a predominately
Latino student population. Some upgrades in recently built schools in the upper-middle class neighborhoods will also be done.
However, while residents in these affluent neighborhoods will be voting on Prop. BB, they
will not be taxed under a special law that was designed by state Sen. Steve Peace (D-San Diego) to allow school district to exempt any geographical area from the increase in taxes to pay for bonds.
According to Baca,
Superintendent Ed Brand, and the school trustees are “being less than honest, truthful and stonewalling,” on the facts about the bond.
“A public debate, especially in the majority Mexican American community, would
give all voters the opportunity to hear the facts,” Baca said.
In 1997 the district attempted to have approved a $500 million bond, but lost under the necessary two-thirds voter approval.
The district, nor the
superintendent have responded to the Chicano group’s challenge.
