Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for March 19, 2024

Miller Creek schools can merge with San Rafael

I think the Miller Creek School District should be combined with the San Rafael City Schools District. Think of all the administrative costs that could be saved if there were only one district office serving students in the San Rafael region instead of two.

Millions of dollars could be plowed back into classrooms, instead of paying for two sets of administrators. I think doing so would have stopped recent provisional layoff notices at Miller Creek (“Miller Creek schools lay off teachers, support staff,” March 15).

The Miller Creek schools should have never been part of a standalone district. It includes only three elementary schools, a small middle school and no high school. Those children need to merge into the larger San Rafael district for high school anyway.

I worry that those in the central offices will become too concerned about their jobs, rather than the kids they are now shortchanging or the teachers they laid off. I hope the teachers union rises up. Unfortunately, I think some of those union leaders are more interested in moving up and eventually taking a job with the district.

— Daniel Sonnet, San Rafael

Affordable housing plans must include stakeholders

Many thanks to Jennifer Silva for her recently published Marin Voice commentary (“Bay Area affordable housing bond measure is right for county plans,” March 9).

Silva, a member of the board of directors at the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative, called attention to how the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority can help create affordable housing by raising billions in bond money for the Bay Area.

The measure will be on the November 2024 ballot. Marin could receive between $350 million and $700 million. Our county can spend only $5 million annually for affordable housing. Everyone who earns up to 120% of the area median could benefit. That number includes many of my church and retirement community friends.

Currently, affordable housing projects require wizardry to cobble funding together. That’s an issue facing the residents of Golden Gate Village, Marin’s only family public housing facility.

Moreover, it is challenging to finance attractively featured affordable housing in well-resourced communities. Perhaps this explains why Marin supervisors approved the “monstrosity” proposed for 825 Drake Ave. in tiny Marin City, despite the community already hosting nearly half the affordable units in the county.

Because of Marin’s high median income, affordable housing can be offered to individuals earning about $100,000 annually. This includes early career professionals, teachers, allied health care workers, firefighters, safety officers and service staff.

It’s equally crucial to target affordable housing to the people at the very low end — those who earn less than 50% of the area median. The group includes many people of color, as well as people who are unhoused or disabled. We can help lift people out of poverty.

All must be specifically invited to planning sessions by bringing meetings to their neighborhoods, jobs and organizations. We must use the phone when possible, and go door to door.

— Barbara Rothkrug, Mill Valley

Unrealistic expectations for Biden are unhelpful

I have been reading so many opinions of what Americans expect President Joe Biden to do about strife around the world. But I do not think Biden can change Israel’s desire to destroy the Hamas terrorists while leveling the Palestinian city of Gaza in a smoking ruin.

Some Americans complain the Biden administration is responsible for our recent bout with inflation. But it appears much of the cause of this inflation started when worldwide supply chains started breaking down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clearly, the administration can’t control worldwide manufacturing and transportation capabilities.

I worry that, come November, voters are going to be making decisions based on opinions that are not necessarily connected to the reality of today’s world. To all those voters who are not part of the “extreme right” but want a change from the Biden administration, I would say, be careful what you wish for.

I do not believe that voting out an 81-year-old centrist president with a 77-year-old who says things that make him sound like a would-be despot is going to make America great again.

— Mark Silowitz, Novato