It’s fair to say there is a bit more vigor in political discourse on the San Francisco Peninsula these days. Regardless of political leaning we are all talking about our shared American experience again, with passion. And more than ever before I hear my neighbors asking:
What are our shared values? What will be our legacy? Who are we becoming?
I have run for City Council twice in Menlo Park, walking neighborhoods, knocking on doors across this city.
Do you know what the topic is that most people want to talk about when you walk neighborhoods in Menlo Park and knock on doors? Sure, people are interested in traffic, environmental protection, development, etc. But let me share a little-known secret with you: The thing that a majority of people most want to talk about when you walk door to door in Menlo Park is the educational experience their children are receiving.
Our passion is our youth. So much so that when we talk about all the other issues, if you listen closely, you can hear our love for our children permeate the discussion:
“We need safe routes to schools.”
‘”We need to adopt this clean energy ordinance and reduce CO2 emissions for our kids.”
“This development will give me place to walk around and enjoy time with my kids, but how will it impact traffic in our neighborhood where they play?”
Menlo Park truly loves its kids. It is our shared value. And we take pride in the experience of our youth.
There is strong nostalgia among our retired residents, whether it be for the way they were raised in Menlo Park, or for the way they raised their children here. Their strongest desire is that it remain the best possible place to raise a family.
Central to that experience and discussion is the Menlo Park City School District. Historically our community has risen to the call of our school board. Our residents have come together to build the school district into one of the great jewels of our city. Bond and parcel tax measure campaigns have been successful to update facilities, support electives, protect class sizes and achieve high test scores.
Preserving the district has become the legacy from one generation of Menlo Park parents passed to the next. And there have been great residual benefits as well. Property values have risen and stayed high as families move into Menlo Park because of its excellent schools.
But now that legacy is in peril.
In June 2017, the 2010 parcel tax will expire, meaning a loss of $1.7 million dollars to the district annually. The enrollment of the district has grown by over 450 students and is expected to grow by at least 300 over the next eight years. Additionally the state is mandating an increase in payments to the California State Teachers Retirement Pension Plan by 2025, totaling $3 million dollars.
That means by 2020, if Menlo Park residents do nothing to help, the Menlo Park City School District will have $5 million less to provide education to many more students.
Over the past few weeks you have read the opinions in this newspaper setting forth the financial basis for Measure X and the outstanding educational experience of MPSCD students and parents. Now it’s time to vote. And it comes at the perfect time, with so many of us our asking in our shared American experience:
What are our shared values? What will be our legacy? Who are we becoming?
Please continue to value the education children in our district receive. Please preserve the legacy we’ve inherited by supporting our youth and our schools in Menlo Park and Atherton. Let us continue to be who we always have been proud to be.
Please support the Menlo Park City School District and pass Measure X.
