For more than six years, education officials have talked about ways to solve the overcrowding situation in Foster City schools. A significant portion of that time was spent on trying to find an appropriate location. Would a public park be an appropriate location? City officials said no. Would a private shopping center be an appropriate location? The community took issue and the district decided no.
Ultimately, a Foster City-based committee formed to find consensus on the issue determined the best path forward would be to add capacity and another grade level at Bowditch Middle School in Foster City. The discussion then turned to how the district would pay for the new construction.
Measure L, the $175 million bond passed in 2008, could have been used for land purchase but not the additional cost of a new school. In addition, Measure L was known to have not covered the entire scope of the district’s facility and technology needs. Still, there are projects on the Measure L list that have not been completed though there is approximately $70 million left of it.
Measure P seeks to cover the cost of constructing a new and expanded Bowditch Middle School while also addressing several other district needs including enrollment, technology and loosening up some money for the general fund through solar power that can be put into the classroom. Its main benefit is addressing the Foster City school overcrowding issue — which in itself is no small task after years of discussion. It is a $130 million bond measure, and the bulk of it — about $60 million-$80 million — will go toward Bowditch. Measure P will pay for about $18 million in renovations at Knolls Elementary School, which has been used off and on as a temporary school during other renovations for years and is now leased out. About $30 million can be allocated over short periods to pay for new technology and $18 million can be spent on energy efficiency, including solar panels, which will lower the district’s utility payments and allow for more money to flow into the classroom.
Make no mistake, Measure P is not perfect. And those who take issue with it have valid points. With some schools — particularly those in San Mateo — still left with significant project needs, why exactly is the district focusing so much money on Foster City? How exactly will Knolls be used once it is renovated? Does it mean that the district will recalibrate boundary lines on the west side of El Camino Real? Why invest in technology that is ever-evolving? And why invest so much in solar? In reverse order, solar panels have an initial costly outlay but have proven to save money in the long run when done right. With so many districts enacting solar programs, it makes sense to check out best practices to see what will give the district the most bang for its buck. As far as technology, the district is smart in agreeing to shorter bonds for those so the technology can be updated and the payment period is shorter. The district has yet to commit to what it will do with Knolls but officials have floated the idea of having it be solely transitional kindergarten or a magnet school — essentially leaving school boundaries as they are. Project needs in San Mateo schools have largely been met, but there are still needs. And there is still Measure L money and enough wiggle room in Measure P to ensure San Mateo schools get their needs met. But that’s a lot of ifs.
It is inherently critical, however, to look at the larger picture. The San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District is the county’s largest. Because it serves two cities with a total population of 140,000, it often has to balance the needs of several unique communities in both cities. The revenue it receives is largely based on its student population drawn from both cities and it has several unique opportunities through its magnet school program to move children according to their interests. Having San Mateo children go to Foster City schools has not been an option in recent years because of the overcrowding issue. Having a reconstructed Bowditch would loosen up that issue and allow for new opportunities.
But there is a certain amount of trust involved in the decision to vote yes on Measure P. If you live in Foster City, this decision is easy. There will be more room for your students. If you live in San Mateo, you may feel as if there are too many unknowns. But the strength of the overall district is key. With the Foster City overcrowding situation addressed, the district will not have to face decisions that could have a deleterious effect on students and can move on to other issues. It could be a rework of its magnet program or a move toward having one location be a transitional kindergarten school. We doubt the district will look at changing boundaries west of El Camino simply because it is abundantly clear it is an unpopular idea.
The district is charged with the task of ensuring that the needs of every one of its communities are being met. At this time, solving the Foster City overcrowding issue is a priority but that doesn’t mean other areas are not important. It simply means the district can move forward on solving this one while engaging the community in its next steps.
Overall, Measure P will have a community benefit for both San Mateo and Foster City at a cost of $19 a year per $100,000 assessed value of a property. It deserves your support.