Teachers Union Backs School Bond

Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:36 PM PDT

E-MAIL STORY

After lengthy debate, the teachers union at San Diego Unified has voted to support Proposition S, the $2.1 billion facilities bond on the November ballot.

It might seem guaranteed that teachers would support a measure to refurbish schools, but the teachers union had pulled away from planning the bond earlier this year amid the rancor caused by teacher layoffs and budget cuts.

Union president Camille Zombro sent a letter to the school board today explaining the union's decision:

The decision followed a great deal of debate, with significant concerns being expressed by our members across the District. Members are concerned that the School Board and Superintendent have not demonstrated the ability to provide the fiscal and operational oversight to ensure that this money is spent responsibly. SDEA leaders have received reports that construction under Prop. MM was conducted in a way that put our students and employees in danger, disrupted instruction, and created incredible amounts of extra work.

Zombro credited bond advocate Tom Lemmon of the local Building Trades Council for helping "to assure us that mistakes of the past would not be repeated."