Dublin School Board Travels Back to Sacramento to Lobby for Facilities Funding

SACRAMENTO, CA–Advocacy efforts on behalf of Dublin Schools continued on Wednesday with another trip to the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Three Trustees – Megan Rouse, Amy Miller and Sameer Hakim – represented the Board along with Dr. Hanke in a second appearance in front of the State Allocation Board in two months. The SAB is responsible for allocating school construction funds around the state.

DUSD Representatives once again advocated for a discussion on the topic of Level 3 Developer fees – the highest fees allowed by law. Currently, the SAB has not permitted school districts to levy Level 3 fees on developers building housing in their communities.

Dr. Hanke introduced the Board members during public comment. Trustee Rouse spoke to the rapid rate of growth in Dublin schools and the steps already taken to meet the challenge it presented, including the Facilities Master Plan process, which yielded the recommendation for a second high school.

Trustee Miller advocated for a Facilities Relief Target, to provide direct funding to growing districts whose growth cannot be absorbed completely by available community sources.
“The system that currently exists with its related legislation is a one size fits all, and unfortunately it doesn’t fit Dublin.” Trustee Miller said.

Trustee Hakim reiterated that the district strongly supports the $9 billion bond measure on the ballot in November.

Board members were asked by the members of the SAB whether our
community had gone out for local bond measures and the response was a resounding yes. Our community has been very supportive of our schools in the form of bond measures totaling $284 million in the past 12 years. The day also included meetings with Assemblymember Catherine Baker and Susan Bonilla. Bonilla is a sitting member of the SAB.

DUSD anticipates another trip to Sacramento soon where it is expected that the topic of Level 3 fees will be agendized by the SAB. DUSD also plans to delivering community letters – more than 1,000 received to-date and counting – to Governor Brown’s office.