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Published on 09/07/1998 All articles from this issue

Campaign kicks off for Measure H, LASD's $94.7 million bond measure

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Town Crier Staff Report

Nearly 100 residents kicked off the campaign to support the Los Altos School District's $94.7 million construction bond Sept. 1 at Hillview Community Center.

Measure H, on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, promises to repair and renovate the district's nine schools and add permanent classrooms to handle increased enrollment and to replace portable classrooms.

The proposed bond comes after a yearlong study of school sites and the approval of a facilities plan that will upgrade the 40-year-old schools, which officials say are overcrowded and deteriorating.

Superintendent Marge Gratiot said electrical systems at the schools fail several times a year, children have had to spend the winter in classrooms with no heat and playground space has become covered with portable classrooms.

Larry Tramutolo, the school facilities expert who is serving as an advisor to the campaign, said he was "shocked" when he first saw the district's schools.

"I know what a wonderful reputation this school district has, and so I was very surprised to see that the school facilities are in such bad shape," Tramutolo said.

Even with the obvious need for school upgrades, Measure H could be difficult to obtain the two-thirds majority vote needed to pass it, Tramutolo said. He said fewer than 15 percent of the