Residents urge a focused referendum to fix overcrowding; speaker recounts past votes
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Summary
During public comment Tony Strelacci urged the board to place a narrowly focused referendum on the ballot this year to address overcrowding and avoid bundling unrelated items, recounting past referendums and urging a campaign strategy aimed at current parents.
Community members used the public-comment period to congratulate newly elected board members and press the board on school overcrowding. Gita Vogel, representing MOESO, offered congratulations and thanks; Tony Strelacci delivered an extended statement urging immediate action on capacity.
Strelacci recounted the district’s construction history and previous referendums, arguing that prior measures failed when they included nonessential items and that future ballots should present only core, undeniable needs. He warned that bundling full-day kindergarten and other add-ons with capital projects can alienate voters and said the district should target parents of currently enrolled students as the primary outreach audience.
Strelacci said the district must go to referendum this year to address overcrowding and infrastructure — roofs, HVAC and classroom capacity — and advised the board to present a single clear question focused on essential needs. He framed the recommendation with historical examples of past referendums and voter behavior and urged the board to avoid mixing discretionary enhancements with critical repairs.
The board did not make a procedural decision on placing a referendum at this meeting; the comments were recorded in the public record and would require future board action to advance to a ballot question.