Once more

FUHSD keeps on trying and trying to get the parcel passed. Last year it was Measure G with a twist, i.e. continue the current funding of $98/parcel for an unlimited time. It was a blank check that the residents did not like. The board should have known from the start that it would have failed. The board did not do its exercise by surveying the residents first before putting the measure on ballot. Somehow the board did not realize that it cost money to put a measure on ballot. We could have used the money to fund the programs and/or pay for the teachers. Did the board use a consultant? If so the consultant did not do his job. Did he do the poll before recommending the ballot? He earned the money without delivering the results.

Without giving up, the board spends money again for Measure B, this time with a 6 year limit. The board keeps wasting money that could be used for the programs that the measure is intended for. What a waste. The residents must vote by mail before April 28, 2010. That's the problem to get the people to vote because it's by mail. Sometimes people are not used to vote by mail and overlook the deadline. If it was with the primaries or the general elections, there would be a better chance to get the voters out.

Before it's too late, hopefully the residents of Cupertino will vote by April 28, 2010. So what should they do? Vote YES again for those who already did last time and how is it easy to convince those who voted No last time? There's a difference between Measure G and Measure B. This time, the tax is not unlimited time. We've been paying it until now, so 6 more years to go is not that difficult. After 6 years, we'll revisit the issue. Also we can decide on the board when its members are up for reelection. Why did they waste money the first time around?

FUHSD cannot keep on using the specter of cutting programs and laying off teachers to get the people to vote. Nobody likes to be blackmailed and threatened. There are alternatives to solve the problems. It's not that every time there's a problem, tax has to be raised. If AP classes are cut, the students can always take classes at De Anza. Although there's a problem of full classes at De Anza, there's also a possibility for the students to enroll in classes even if they are not their first choices.

So Vote YES for Measure B, but let's talk again in 6 years.