Too Late, Taxpayer Group Says

Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:32 PM PDT

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The county Taxpayers Association is refusing to join a community advisory committee on San Diego Unified's next facilities bond, calling its efforts rushed and ill-planned.

The school district is planning an estimated $1.51 billion bond to replace Proposition MM, its largest facilities makeover to date, and expects to put the bond before voters in November. We wrote about the uncertainties that remain for the bond earlier this week.

"Starting this late in the process, I don't see how the committee can do a thorough job in addressing many of the concerns that may come up," said Lani Lutar, association president. "Starting the process a year or two in advance would have been more thorough rather than three months before the deadline when the ballot language is due."

The advisory committee is scheduled to meet for the first time this week. Its membership is expected to include community representatives nominated by school board members and representatives of key interest groups such as the Taxpayers Association.

Though Lutar will not sit on the committee, she said her group would still be reviewing the bond for potential endorsement. Earlier this year, the Taxpayers Association gave high marks to San Diego Unified for its previous bond. That grade will play a role in the Taxpayers Association's decision, Lutar said, but so will concerns about delayed repairs.

-- EMILY ALPERT