I think we're going to have to get out there and do a really hard talk. A recent survey of 606 registered voters in Vacaville revealed sizable support for a tax hike to pay for replacing and repairing aging facilities. Yet some groups remain unconvinced a need exists, said Jeremy Thorn, president of Education Research, a San Francisco consulting firm, at a board workshop Tuesday. Thorn highlighted lukewarm support among Republicans, men and seniors as evidence that more education is necessary to pass a bond. Now the district plans to form a citizens committee that would inform the public about the district's facilities needs and raise money toward a bond campaign.
Law forbids school districts from using taxpayer money to fund political campaigns.
It's very important the community understand how we are fiscally accountable, how there is no hidden agenda from this board. The 21-2 vote came after nearly 90 minutes of impassioned testimony by foes and supporters of the project during a hearing in Oakland. Foes object to the plan in part because some of the dredged mud contains lead, mercury and other heavy metals. The introduction of contaminants into an environmentally sensitive area cannot be good. But supporters of the project argued that most of the mud brought into the county will be uncontaminated.