Major Push to Pass $450 Million School Bond
October 27, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO — Leaders and parents made their pitch in Chinatown for Asian American voter support of the largest general obligation bond in San Francisco history. With a price tag of $450 million, the measure would repair 64 schools and immediately comply with a court settlement for improved handicapped accessibility in an institution where approximately half the 56,000 students are APA.
Seventy percent of the bond would be dedicated to, for example, seismic, fire and safety health upgrades, and modernization of restrooms, fire safety, plumbing and roofs. Among the 64 schools would be Alice Fong Yu Elementary, Chinese Education Center, Aptos and Hoover Middle School and future Newcomer High School.
Twenty-eight percent of the bond satisfies the 2004 Lopez court settlement.
Failing to pass the bond, said Interim Superintendent Gwen Chan and School Board president Norman Yee could bring the federal government to take over school management to assure ADA-compliance.
The bond is endorsed by Chan and Yee, Assemblyman Leland Yee, Supervisor Fiona Ma, school board members Eddie Chin and Eric Mar and former state deputy superintendent of schools Henry Der.
However, the Chinese American Democratic Club opposes the bond. "School District contracting policy sets a glass ceiling for minority contractors," said Sherman Chiu, a CADC member.
Chiu, also president of the Asian American Contractors Association, has criticized the bond, whose project labor agreements discriminates against his members from bidding on construction work.
To pass, Proposition A requires the support of 55 percent of San Francisco voters.
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