District officials back fee increase to cover student enrollment
increase
Morgan Hill – Despite a request for a continuance from two of Morgan Hill’s prominent developers, Morgan Hill School Board trustees voted on Sept. 12 to raise housing developer fees.
There are three levels of developer fees, but only two that can be set by the school district. Level I fees are set by the state. Level II fees, which the board voted to increase from $3.09 to $4.95 per square foot of residential construction, are determined by a needs analysis study. Level III fees are not levied unless the state does not have construction fees available; if levied, these fees are equal to twice the Level II fees.
Trustees voted 5-1 to increase Level II developer fees, with Trustee Julia Hover-Smoot voting against the increase. Trustee Peter Mandel was absent.
“I have been a significant developer in Morgan Hill for over 25 years, and along with Mr. (Rocke) Garcia behind me, we’ve been supportive of the school district over the years,” developer Dick Oliver said. “But I’ve had a feeling the fees we paid in the past haven’t been used as wisely as they could have been. Now, you are proposing a fee increase of almost 50 percent. That is very significant. I had no idea that you were going to discuss this. I did not receive a notice of any preliminary hearings going on.”
Oliver and Garcia told board members they would like to see the district wait perhaps 30 days so they could meet with district consultants – representatives from Dolinka Group – who prepared the School Facility Needs Analysis study, an annual report that examines the potential need for facilities based on new development in the area and student generation rates of the development.
Oliver said the fee increase would have a significant impact on area developers.
“I’ve written you a letter, not in a way of being adversarial; the success of students and the success of schools is important to us. And we can’t sell homes if our schools are successful … But this could cost us half a million
dollars. I’m asking for a continuance, for a chance to talk with a consultant. I’ve outlined several areas of concern,” Oliver said.
Garcia, who said he has been a builder in Morgan Hill since 1978, also wanted a continuance. “I don’t build as many homes as Mr. Oliver does; but my kids have all gone here, and I have been a part of this community and intend to continue to be a part of this community. I’d like to protest if you adopt these fees. I’d like to ask for a continuance for 30 days to meet with you and your consultant.”
Trustee Kathy Sullivan asked the representatives from the Dolinka Group if a continuance would change anything.
“Would the numbers change if we had another meeting,” she asked, but the consultants said they would not.
Board President Mike Hickey commented that perhaps trustees should have “taken a closer look” last year at numbers designed to predict how many students the district will have to absorb from different types of housing the developers build – because developer fees were dropped last year. This year’s larger increase, he said, normalizes the fees.
Tognazzini said during lean budget times several years ago, the district lost students to schools such as Oakwood School and the Charter School of Morgan Hill.
“It was as if a whole elementary school walked out of our district; and now they are coming back,” she said, referring to the increase in district enrollment. When enrollment increases, the district needs more funds for facilities.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.
