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Living in today’s world, I thought nothing could shock me. I stand corrected. A $105 million borrowing bond for capital improvements by the Poway School District serving about 34,000 students has put me into a sort of catatonic cardiac arrest. It is not the act of borrowing this money which disturbs me. Schools undergo wear and tear and need improvements; I get that. What floors me is the Poway Board will make zero principal or interest payments for twenty years on this bond, with the interest on the principal accruing at the rate of 12.6% annually. At the end of the two decades, Poway’s School district will have passed on to the community’s property owners a bill for $1,087 Billion!!! It is mind boggling what this District and apparently several other Districts in San Diego County are also engaging in this reckless borrowing practice.

It would appear Poway’s school is attempting to commit suicide.

One might think twice about wanting to retire and buy a home in Poway, California. One Poway Board member was heard to say, “Heck, we’ll all be dead by then, it won’t matter.” I cannot fathom what must go through the mind of any Board member who would cripple the community he serves a generation later. One must realize that if the property owner is unable to pay his portion of the Bond and defaults, ultimately California would be responsible for the repayment of this loan.

Surprisingly, Poway is not alone. San Diego Unified Schools is floating a $164 million improvement bond that will eventually cap out at $1.3 billion.

Escondido Unified is floating a $27 million bond that caps out at $247 million.

And Oceanside wants to borrow $30 million which caps out at $300 million.

These entire Districts are located in beautiful San Diego County.

If voters approve these bonds, all of the Districts noted will borrow the money at ionosphere interest rates that allow for no principal or interest payments until 2033.

I can only pray the Hart Board would never propose such an outrageous method for improving its infrastructure.

Ultimately, it is you the voter will decide if you wish to be mesmerized into voting for this kind of foolishly bond measure or will you suddenly awaken, realized that you (and your children) will not be dead in 20 years, and toss out these people out of office who speak, act, and vote in such a negligent manner.

Roger Gitlin is a teacher and proud del norte county tea party patriot. roger giltin is also a candidate for Del Norte County ( California) Supervisor, District I. He can be reached at rogergitlin.com