MEDIA ADVISORY SENT ON BEHALF OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD TRUSTEE SCOTT BARNETT,
SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
Trustee Scott Barnett: Acquisition of Armored Vehicle is a "misguided priority" Will Present Alternative to Fund Replacement of 10 Old School Police Vehicles
What: Press Conference
Trustee Scott Barnett Will State his Opposition to Acquisition of Armored Vehicle; Will Present Alternative to Fund Replacement of 10 Old School Police Vehicles (One of SD Unified's older police cars will be available for pictures.)
When: Thursday, September 11, 2014, 10:30 AM
Where: Eugene Brucker Education Center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 4100 Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103
Who: Trustee Scott Barnett (Trustee Barnett will NOT be available prior to 10:30 a.m. for interviews)
Background:
Currently SD Unified has approximately 10 police cars in need of replacement. These vehicles are used every day by SD Unified police officers to protect students, staff, and property. The average life of a police vehicle (based on rotation schedules of SDPD, SD Sheriff, etc) is approximately 120,000 miles. SD Unified vehicles targeted for replacement all have over 130,000 miles. A new SD Unified car (completely outfitted) is approximately $40,000.
SD Unified has approximately 1000 vehicles in its total fleet, including approximately 600 school buses and approximately 400 in its "white fleet" which includes maintenance, delivery, and other vehicles. Many have high mileage and are in need of replacement. For over 3 1/2 years, and as recently as last spring's budget hearings, Trustee Barnett has called for a vehicle depreciation plan to fund vehicle replacement. Not replacing worn out vehicles forces the district to spend millions of dollars on vehicle maintenance which could other wise be used to fund school sites. To date no plan has been presented to the school board.
Since his election Trustee Scott Barnett has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal responsibility, consistently opposing deficit spending. Mr. Barnett has been a consistent advocate for SD Unified Police staffing and equipment. He supported the acquisition of a trained police dog, the availability of semi-automatic weapons for officers, and urged his board colleagues to "exempt SD Unified Police from staffing cuts." He was elected in 2010. He is not seeking reelection. His term ends December 8, 2014.
Contact: Scott Barnett
619-857-1857
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