Measure D will address aging schools and district facilities for Redlands

By David James Heiss
Contributing Writer

REDLANDS, Calif. – Volunteers pressing to pass the Redlands school district's $500 million facilities bond that was approved by the School Board late last summer have their work cut out for them.

Board member Jim O'Neill was absent from the Aug. 6 meeting when his colleagues passed the measure 4-0.

In discussion, board Chairman Alex Vara pointed out that he anticipated funds would help finally finish Redlands East Valley High School's stadium, or to build gyms for middle schools that do not have one.

School board member Melissa Ayala-Quintero recalled a program she participated in as a former member of Smiley Elementary School's PTA, helping cook up a pancake breakfast as the Grinch made an appearance one morning.

"Whenever we would plug a griddle in on this side, we couldn't plug one in on the other side, because it would trip the breakers," making it a challenge to make hundreds of pancakes for their fundraiser using just a few griddles.

It was cheerfully explained to her, "The electrical's old. You just have to be nice to it."

Without specifying, she went on to note the difficulties of providing a first-class education "when there's foundations cracking and pools sinking. This is only going to better our students' experience."