Letter to the Editor -- Lefteris Lavrakas

“To bond or not to bond” is certainly a question deserving a most

thorough and publicly crafted answer (“College district to pursue bond,”

April 27). It’s incumbent upon the Coast Community College District

governing board to, as a previous editorial spelled out (Editorial, “What

exactly does a $344-million bond buy?” April 7) to follow the example of

Newport-Mesa Unified School District in identifying the major projects

and associated maintenance work that comprise the potential $344-million

bond measure.

Frankly, as a citizen and taxpayer, I am not too optimistic that much

careful study has been given this proposal. There is no indication that

the board has assembled an advisory committee of college personnel and

representatives from the public that has studied not only the work needed

but, in addition, the possibility of receiving its share of the state

bond measures that are in the offing.

While community colleges are considered institutions of higher

education or post-secondary education, their governing boards operate no

differently from the K-12 boards.

Community or junior colleges were brought on the academic and

vocational scene as extensions of the secondary school system. While the

college curriculum has undergone considerable change, the board has

little more to do than dole out the funds that it receives from the

state.

Hence, it shouldn’t be asking too much to have the board engage with

the local citizenry to match the preparations that were made by the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District in selling its bond measure to the

public.

Speaking of the Newport-Mesa bond measure, I’m sure that the public

would appreciate a kind of “status report” that assures us all that

matching funds have been received from the state and that repair and

maintenance work is already underway.

LEFTERIS LAVRAKAS

Costa Mesa