Yes on V-V Letter to the Editor

Yes on VV

MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD the expression "Half the battle is showing up." We all know it's true, especially for school success, and public transportation plays a key role in San Leandro students' academic achievement.

SLUSD does not provide busing for our students, and many students rely on AC Transit for transportation. A 2003 survey found that one out of every five riders was under 18 years old — and 85 percent of these students ride the bus to school at least twice a week.

Earlier this year, AC Transit staff recommended a fare hike for all riders, with youth being hit hardest. The proposal would have increased the adult pass by 14 percent,the senior/disabled pass by 40 percent. The youth pass would have had the biggest increase — 87 percent, from $15 to $28 each pass.

While an extra $13 a month might not seem like a lot, many families have more than one child, and an extra $130 a school year per child (not including the summer months) is a big hit in today's economy. As many of our students who use AC Transit also qualify for free or reduced meals, we worry that we would be placing an additional burden on the families who can least afford it.

Thanks to organized community opposition, the AC Transit board decided to place a parcel tax on the November ballot — Measure VV — instead of raising fares. If voters approve Measure V V, AC Transit has committed to freezing youth fares over the next two years and keeping fares tied to the inflation rate for the next decade. If not, our students will be faced with another challenge to success in school — rising bus fares.

On the Nov. 4 election ballot in San Leandro, you will find a parcel tax proposal that would add a flat amount of $4 a month to each landowner's taxes. For less than the cost of one gallon of gas, homeowners can help kids and seniors get to where they need to go and keep fare low in San Leandro and throughout the East Bay.

As educators, we teach our students the importance of sustainable living. As a city, we need to support this parcel tax that would ensure a safe and reliable form of transportation for all and protect our most vulnerable people (children and the elderly) from prohibitive cost increases.

Amy Furtado, principal, and Jason Bono, teacher

San Leandro High School