School Gym Bond Lacks Support From RSF Residents

Author: RSF Post

Date: July 29, 2014

Rancho Santa Fe School District Superintendent Lindy Delaney revealed the results of a community survey on a bond for a new school gym. A special school board meeting on July 21st was held to discuss the survey. The following are the results for two proposals:

•  A $19.2 million two-court facility with locker rooms and space for dance and wrestling programs: 29.7 percent support
• A larger $23.5 million three-court facility with previously mentioned amenities: 16.9 percent support

The survey does not necessarily mean an end to renovating the school gym. Superintendent Delaney believes there will be support down the road, the RSF Review quoted Delaney saying:

“The results showed us the interest in the community for fixing up the gym is not as strong as we had hoped to see. I think the community spoke and said ‘Please wait.’ Waiting is the best thing to do.”

One factor contributing to the lack of support could be that many respondents do not have a direct stake in a new school gym. The Review also showed the respondents’ demographic:

• 75.9 percent do not have elementary school-aged children
• 81.2 percent do not have middle school-aged children
• 38 percent of respondents were ages 50-64
• 31.5 percent were ages 65 and older
• 24 percent of respondents were ages 40-49
• 5 percent were ages 30-39

Superintendent Delaney stated that the school board may look into a capital campaign to reduce the size of a potential bond.

Would you support a bond for a state-of-the-art school gym? Let us know in the comments.