Smith touts admin building pros but ignores cons and prudent alternatives

May 09, 2007 Filed in: Smith, Dennis
Dennis Smith 1
Dennis Smith, The Los Angeles Times "The district's Education Center is a valuable asset and a good investment for the future. We now have the flexibility to use this building for important school support purposes and to lease additional available space to provide extra funds for our schools."

District officials continue to promote the Fleming rationale for the new building - consolidation of operations, expansion needs for the next ten years - and a new twist by Smith - lease revenue from the portion of the building to be given to schools in the district. There was no mention of a comprehensive feasibility study to consider more prudent alternatives or any discussion about district-wide priorities and proper allocation of limited capital resources -- just plans to stay in the overbuilt facility until the district grows into it over the next ten years. Smith is the Superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District.

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