Oak Park school bonds not necessary

As a nearly 30-year resident and homeowner of Oak Park I would like to suggest an alternative to yet another tax on the backs of Oak Park homeowners.

With the increase in the number of baby boomers and emptynesters and the subsequent decrease in enrollment by parents that own homes within the community, the solution for a number of years has been "open enrollment" to those from outside our community who do not contribute to our tax base yet utilize the services we pay for and provide through our property taxes.

My solution would be a down-sizing of the OPUSD by closing unused classrooms, buildings and even entire campuses if not required. By consolidating these facilities, and perhaps eliminating some staff, administrators and support personnel, existing funds could then be utilized for updating and repair without raising our taxes further.

I realize this is a tough pill to swallow, and I'm certain the teachers union will not be pleased with my suggestions, since they never saw a tax dollar they didn't like. However, for those of us footing the bill, the time has come to seek other alternatives.

The homeowners in Oak Park currently pay the highest property taxes in the Conejo Valley, higher than the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles City and Los Angeles County- possibly the highest in Southern California. I realize some will point to the high values of our area based on the school system and its standing within the academic community. I would like to add the proximity to L.A., the beauty and relative safety of our area and the demographics of Oak Park homeowners also contribute to the property values.

If the bottomless pit of added local, state and national taxes coupled with the significant expenses of living day-to-day is not brought under control, my wife and I may no longer be able to afford to live here. If this added parcel tax passes, there will certainly be another proposed tax following and another after that. At what point do we say, "Enough is enough" and begin to live within our means? Art Guy Oak Park