Het verhaal
With voters set to weigh Measure J in November, the Palo Alto Board of Education last week unanimously approved a $65.5 million spending plan for school facilities if the city buys 7 acres of the 35-acre Cubberley Community Center from the district. Board documents split the money 67% ($43.9 million) for maintenance, 28% ($18.3 million) for modernization and 5% ($3.3 million) contingency. The city would combine the purchase with its existing 8 acres and redevelop Cubberley at 4000 Middlefield Road (theater, athletics, classrooms).
The parties agreed a purchase price in 2024 after 18 months of talks; city leaders put a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot in June. Residents have asked why sale proceeds could not close PAUSD’s budget hole after the June parcel-tax loss. CFO Charen Yu said district funds sit in legally separate accounts: the general fund pays salaries, benefits and day-to-day operations, and that is where the shortfall is. Board President Shounak Dharap, who sat on the sale ad hoc, called the deal a partnership with the city. Measure J needs a simple majority.