Officials toy with plan to sell school

Christine Morente, STAFF WRITER

MILLBRAE -- Teachers, concerned with the Millbrae School District's continued budget deficits, urged board trustees Wednesday night to sell the old Millbrae School site as a way to bring in funding and stabilize the budget.

The majority of the crowd that packed into the City Council Chambers said that teachers are discouraged, and that selling the site on 1 Alp Way is a solid plan that would put less pressure on groups such as the PTAs and community groups that fund-raise for basic services.

Louis DeZutti, who is on the District Advisory Committee (DAC) that recommends selling district-owned property, said he's watched the money diminish from the school district.

"That parents should have to pay money over and above their taxes to ensure that their children get a quality education is reprehensible," he said during the public hearing. "We care an awful lot for your children and we want the best for them. But it will be increasingly difficult to continue to provide the best if a source of (revenue) is not created."

For more than three years, the district board has had to make $1.8 million in budget cuts.

Right now, the school is leased by two pre-schools and Mills Montessori School and pay the district $258,625 a year in rent. Re- opening the school would cost $6 million to $8 million for renovation.

Some members of the crowd opposed the sale of the 10-acre property. Resident Albina Caimotto said that the land is unstable and is concerned that the new homes would bring noise, dirt and dust during construction, and traffic once the homes are built.

Tiny Sand wants the board to wait six months to vote and explore other options like a parcel tax or a bond to help the schools.

"I sympathize with the district, but my concern is the feeling of urgency that a decision needs to be made," Sand said. "The Chadbourne (School) site was sold, and the money is gone. Delay the vote ... to make sure it's the correct decision."

If the property is sold for an expected $20 million, the plan is to invest the money in an endowment, and the $1 million in interest would go to the district, said Superintendent Karen Philip.

The area is zoned for single-family housing, she added, assuring that the property would not be used for condominiums or for commercial use.

The board did not vote at the meeting. It is expected to make a decision after the November election.

Staff writer Christine Morente covers Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno and Hillsborough. She can be reached at (650) 348-4333 or at cmorente@sanmateocountytimes.com.

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