DEAR EDITOR:
I assume Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Edwin
Diaz is an honorable man, that he looks upon himself as an
educational leader who considers it a responsibility to be role
model for students whose future he influences.
DEAR EDITOR:
I assume Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Edwin Diaz is an honorable man, that he looks upon himself as an educational leader who considers it a responsibility to be role model for students whose future he influences. I assume that, but I wonder: If he holds himself to those ideals, why the same shuck-and-jive he tried when quoted by Dispatch staff writer Eric Leins (School bond sails to victory – Nov. 6) “The passage… is a message from the community …”
In his Nov. 14 letter, he “… (Thanks) the voters of Gilroy for their strong support … Because the citizens of this community have made the education of our children a priority …” That may sound good but it isn’t true – and Mr. Diaz knows it.
The “community” showed no “strong support” nor was there any indication “… the citizens of this community have made the education of our children a priority …”
Why? Some three-quarters of community residents didn’t bother to vote.
Of Gilroy’s population, 41,000-plus, only 8,469 acted responsibly and cast a ballot. Of those, 5,287 supported Measure I (62.4 percent) which, when matched against Gilroy’s total residents, represent approximately 13 percent of the community.
That means this roughly 13 percent saddled all Gilroy taxpayers with a 25-year financial parasite on their backs.
Diaz chooses to overlook the obvious: The large majority of Gilroy voters neither supported nor opposed Measure I – they didn’t care enough to vote.
There are several other points his letter raises that sound good but …
“Spending bond proceeds wisely will be a priority for everyone involved.” It’s too much to hope for but “wisely” could mean Diaz and the GUSD Board of Trustees will have neither input nor influence on that “priority.” Their continuing indifference to past bond money application (consider the long list of horror stories Measure D, and I, supporters told of terrible conditions under which all schools struggle because simple maintenance was ignored) is matched now by an ongoing refusal to be held accountable for past conduct and lack of financial responsibility.
Bond supporters constantly stressed all bond money would remain in Gilroy. Will Diaz and the GUSD Board of Trustees guarantee something new and revolutionary: a monthly statement to the public of all expenditures – how much that payment is, and what, specifically, will be done for that payment.
“… we will appoint a Citizen’s Oversight Committee …” Comprised of how many people? From which community areas? With what authority? Most important, who will select Oversight Committee members? Will those selected be only dedicated bond supporters chosen to rubber-stamp already determined spending?
“We will continue to work hard to make Gilroy Unified School District a source of pride for Gilroy. ..” Based on past conduct, indifference, arrogance and irresponsibility shown by Diaz and the Board, this statement seems the biggest shuck-and-jive offered.
Sadly, Gilroyans can only hope … and that seems little consolation to justify the next 25 years of taxation with limited, if any, representation.
James Brescoll, Gilroy
Submitted Thursday, Nov. 21 to ed****@ga****.com
