By Catelyn Di Leva
Opinion Editor
Manhattan Beach Unified School District approved Measure EE, a $36-million bond to rebuild the Mira Costa gymnasium, and Measure C, a $114 million measure to improve infrastructure in MBUSD schools. Both measures are necessary for all schools because they are in need of updating the outdated and overcrowded facilities.
The Manhattan Beach school board approved the Measure EE and Measure C bonds on Sept. 7. In order for the measures to pass on Nov. 8, 55 percent of Manhattan Beach residents must vote in favor of the measure, said Leasa Ireland, director for the Support Manhattan Beach School Bonds 2016 Committee.
Under the measures, the district will fix roofs and improve plumbing in the elementary and preschool so they are safe for students, MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said. These buildings will ideally ensure that the quality of infrastructure will positively affect students’ educational experience.
Click here to read more about Measure C and EE in Manhattan Beach.
Another factor of Measure C is replacing temporary learning environments like trailers with new classrooms, said Matthews. This will help provide students with the best learning environments in the best manner possible.
Measure EE focuses on rebuilding Costa’s gym completely, Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. Putting new facilities in all of MBUSD schools will refurbish and update all school environments to meet student expectations. This will give students the quality campuses that they all deserve overall.
One of the main reasons that the district created Measure EE and Measure C was to ensure that all students and staff in MBUSD are in safe environments at school, Matthews said. Ensuring safety at all MBUSD schools is a vital component that all students need when they are at school.
Click here to read why Manhattan Beach passed Measure C and EE.
Earthquakes are not rare occasions in California, and MBUSD schools have suffered from alarming threats, Dale said. Therefore, ensuring safety for all Costa students and staff by improving infrastructure is extremely important as the entire school is at risk on a constant, day-to day basis.
The number of students enrolled in MBUSD increases each year, Matthews said. Over 1,000 students at Costa use the gym, Costa Vice Principal Jon Shaw said. Therefore, it is valuable to invest in new resources for the students. The district is taking steps in the right direction to ensure that schools are accommodating students.
Measure EE will be beneficial for Costa students because a majority of students use the gym for games, physical education and testing, Shaw said. A new gym will be vital for all athletes because it will provide them with the environment they need so their skills can flourish.
Photos: Measure C and EE evaluate the current conditions of school infrastructure
Despite the many benefits of Measure C and Measure EE, some long-time homeowners of Manhattan Beach are opposed to the measure due to the possible increase in property tax bills, Ireland said, and understandable but short-sided view.
If the community passes the measures, the property tax bill will be multiplied by 1.0003, meaning that the typical Manhattan Beach home will annually pay $60 more, Ireland said. However, the measures are worth it because the prosperity of students should be in the best interest of the community.
Although both Measure C and EE would raise property taxes, all MBUSD schools are in dire need of getting these new facilities for each campus, Ireland said. New facilities are important for students to succeed in safe environments at school.
Both measures are necessary for students and teachers because of the outdated facilities, Dale said. If the community passes these measures, all schools will benefit as the new campus renovations will be advantageous for the aged facilities that do not meet current school standards.
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