Create schools foundation and distribute money

We have often disagreed with Costa Mesa Councilwoman Karen

Robinson.

But in the case of the Home Ranch money and the debate over how

many foundations should be created, we have to say she is absolutely

right. Create one for all three Costa Mesa schools it was designed to

benefit.

Since July, the $2 million the Segerstrom family gave to the city

as part of the Home Ranch development agreement has been sitting in

an interest-bearing account, collecting interest, but not doing any

particular good for the schools for which it was intended.

Half of a school year has gone by without any student benefiting

from this cash.

If recent trends are any indication, the summer recess will come

and go, and no money will be spent, while school and community

leaders haggle over the creation of a foundation, or in some cases

foundations, to oversee the spending.

Some say at least two foundations are needed to properly address

school needs.

We say, hogwash.

If a City Council made up of five people can learn how to address

the needs of an entire city of 100,000, why can’t a foundation made

up of more than a half-dozen people be able to figure out how to

spend money at three Costa Mesa schools?

The three schools, Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools and

TeWinkle Middle School, do all have separate needs; we acknowledge

that.

But each would have a representative on the foundation to offer

guidance and suggestions.

If it’s a problem with the name, call the foundation the Costa

Mesa Secondary Schools Foundation or something similar that

encompasses all three schools.

Either way, it’s time to stop the bickering over technicalities,

streamline the process and create one solid foundation to oversee the

money.

Let’s not wait any longer to get this money where it belongs: in

the classroom and helping students.