Protect the quality of our local schools: Vote Yes on Prop AA

As a resident of a community located within the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD), I consider myself fortunate to have excellent school options for my children. In order to give back to our outstanding San Dieguito schools, dozens of committed volunteers each year work on behalf of the La Costa Canyon High School Foundation (LCCHS) supporting LCCHS. My involvement with the foundation has provided an up-close view of the financial challenges that threaten the well-being of our award-winning schools, and with these challenges in mind, the LCCHS Foundation and I have endorsed Proposition AA.

High school graduates are competing for college admissions and quality jobs. As a result, demand is growing for classes in advanced math, science, and engineering. All of our schools need upgrades to meet evolving technological standards for classrooms, labs, and libraries. Aging schools suffer from leaky roofs, rusty plumbing, and inadequate electrical systems. Some schools don’t meet modern seismic standards; others still have hazardous asbestos and lead to remove. While these schools have served our community well, we must make urgent repairs and upgrades so all students learn in safe, modern classrooms. Without securing local funding, we cannot pay for these upgrades.

Proposition AA improvements could also help save millions of dollars currently used to patch old school facilities. SDUHSD hasn’t asked voters to pass a bond measure in more than 40 years, but we can no longer afford to wait and hope that legislators in Sacramento will someday fund these improvements. We need Proposition AA today to provide local funding for urgent school improvements to protect the quality of our local schools.

We hope that your readers will join me and Vote Yes on Proposition AA.

Clarke Caines

President La Costa Canyon High School Foundation