As both a taxpayer, business owner and parent of an elementary school student and a preschooler, I support the charter of the Bridges only if it’s located at the closed University Elementary School campus.

Taxpayers don’t need to be further burdened with additional and unnecessary up-front costs to modify a campus that’s already in use, when an existing facility that meets the needs of Bridges sits vacant. Where’s the common sense in this solution, and when do taxpayers actually get their say? School board members are elected officials, and I don’t see them representing the interest of the majority in this case.

Please reconsider the recommendation to place the Bridges charter school on the Horizon Hills campus, and instead place it on the University campus site.

This will have an added benefit to the families living in the zoning area of the University campus whose home values have declined by having a “mothballed” elementary school in their neighborhood.

This solution saves taxpayer dollars, and helps improve community value. Additionally, this solution would also allow for expansion for the Bridges charter school in the future.

Bridges at the University campus is a fantastic idea. Despite the potential overhead costs of operating an additional campus–electrical, grounds maintenance, insurance, etc.–this seems to be the most logical long-term option.

Bridges at the Horizon Hills campus isn’t such a brilliant idea.

I hope our elected board members will reconsider this decision.
Carrie MacLean
Thousand Oaks