It’s not too late for the Tamalpais Union High School District to reject hiring a proposed “campaign strategist” for a contemplated $450 million bond measure and additional, separate parcel tax.
On Aug. 8, trustees for the district Tamalpais Union High School District intend to approve a contract with Whitehurst-Mosher.
As reported in the Marin IJ on July 19, Whitehurst-Mosher is a campaign consultant whose representative, at the district’s July 18 board meeting, highlighted a plan to “neutralize opposition”.
Such ineptly revealing phrasing of its approach should have automatically disqualified Whitehurst-Mosher from consideration for a project intended to build community support.
Instead, trustees rushed to preapprove a contract they hadn’t yet seen and can’t sign without a formal vote on Aug. 8.
This seems eerily familiar to anyone who saw the Senate try to enact health legislation before anyone could read it.
What’s the big hurry? Is it because no one’s watching the Tam board in the summer?
Whitehurst-Mosher will cost $5,000 monthly for at least six months. Its bill could total $75,000 for a November 2018 ballot measure and another $75,000 if there’s a 2020 measure too.
Add $40,000-plus per election for a polling consultant.
That’s on top of architectural consultant LPA’s $157,500 contract. LPA developed the $450 million bond’s project wish list.
Before further investing in consultants and pipe dreams, the district should urgently develop a plan addressing its operating deficit.
Residents should urge trustees to reject Whitehurst-Mosher’s contract at the board’s Aug. 8 meeting — at 6 p.m. at the Kreps Conference Center at Redwood High School.