School districts should not take on risk for housing

I think the plan by the Marin County Public Financing Authority to ask school districts to financially guarantee filling the proposed Oak Hill affordable housing development is a financing scheme that puts public school funds at risk.

The project near San Quentin is now wildly over budget. Initially promised as having no fiscal impact on local schools, it now has what could become a $17 million deficit on its $118 million price tag, and that’s before construction has even started.

To “fill the gap,” the authority — an unelected joint-powers agency — is pressing local school districts to guarantee they’ll be responsible for rental income shortfalls for the next 35 or 40 years. Why would anyone put local public school funds at risk to do that?

If the project goes badly, it could take away money for educational programs, salaries, supplies and maintenance. It could also negatively affect how much schools can spend, raise or borrow in the future. Marin kids would pay the price, not the private developer or the JPA.

Our Marin public schools, paid for with taxes, school bonds and donations, can only do so much. Costs are up and enrollment is down, while programs and positions are being cut. Some hard decisions have to be made.

One of those hard decisions should be for local school boards to say no to this latest financing scheme to “guarantee” the costly Oak Hill housing project against rental-revenue shortfalls, lawsuits, unanticipated repairs and other unforeseen issues for the next four decades. It’s just too risky.

The priority must always be to educate kids, pay teachers and staff, and keep our schools open. Unless another way can be found to build educator-workforce housing here without jeopardizing local school funds, this overpromoted, overpriced project will have to wait.

— Susan Cluff, Belvedere

Band together to protest Trump without violence

America used to be a place where if you were a humble person, didn’t aspire to be wealthy and just wanted to enjoy the simple things in life, you could do so. But now, I am concerned that the current presidential administration is trying to take that away.

I think the best way to protest is to become active and actively reclaim our nation. I believe we can accomplish this without resorting to violence, but it will take guts and conviction.

For inspiration, I look to Mahatma Gandhi, the man who used nonviolent resistance for more than 30 years to help India finally win independence from British rule in 1947. He stood up to the biggest world empire of the time without firing a single shot.

I urge everyone to hit the streets, write hundreds of letters and make hundreds of phone calls. Don’t be complacent or indifferent. It sounds like a worn-out cliché to say that there’s never been a time like this in the history of our country, but, right now, I think it is the absolute truth.

If we stand by and let President Donald Trump continue on this path, then we will have no valid reason to complain. We must stand tall or fall. I think those in opposition to Trump have the numbers and we have more power than most realize. It’s just a matter of doing it. I am with you.

— Ronald K. Edwards, Santa Rosa

Gender-affirming care commentary hit the mark

I want to thank Amy Lynn Fischer for her Bay Area Voice commentary published March 23 with the headline “Gender-affirming care is lifesaving for kids like mine.”

In these challenging times when there is a dangerous amount of misinformation about the transgender community in circulation, I was so grateful to hear directly from the mom of a trans kid about her family’s experience. Her piece was thoughtful, informative, truthful and brave.

Gender-affirming care really does save lives. We need to keep working to counter misinformation, protect access to care and circle the wagons around a demographic that is being cruelly targeted in our nation. I wish Fischer and her son every happiness. I look forward to a day when all trans-inclusive families are able to have joy similarly returned to their hearts and homes.

— Catherine LeFevre, San Anselmo