HBCSD Corruption

Proof of the lie:

There are TWO separate and different lease agreements contained in the Sale and Purchase Agreement for district use of the Community Center. Exhibit G and the Memorandum of Understanding lease agreement for classrooms, office and storage space and Exhibit K which cover district use of the gymnasium, auditorium, changing rooms and tennis courts at the Community Center.:

NOTE: HBCSD School Board members (Greg Breen (2002-2009) and Lance Widman (2002-2009)) and HBCSD Superintendent Pat Escalante (2013-2022), seemingly purposely and repeatedly MISLEAD the community regarding the provisions for district use of the Community Center. Why?

(1) The first lease agreement covers district use of classrooms, office and storage space at the Community Center.  It is described in Article 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding.   Article 4 of the MOU specifies district use of classrooms, office and storage space at the Community Center when enrollment exceeds 1,266 students.  There is NO EXPIRATION to the provision for district use of classrooms, office and storage space.  The leasing provisions are dependent only on district enrollment over 1,266 students. 

The MOU was a product of a joint City and District Land Use Committee from 1975 to 1977. City Council members Lance Widman (former city council member and school board member from 2002 to 2009) and George Schmeltzer (former city council member and signer on school bonds from 2002 to 2016) accepted the MOU at the City Council meetings of June 14, 1977 and June 28, 1977.

(2) The second lease contained in the SALE and PURCHASE Agreement for Pier Avenue School covers district recreational use of the Community Center.  The second lease agreement is described in Exhibit ‘K’.  It was originally referred to as The Recreation Agreement.  The title of the recreation agreement was changed to the Lease Agreement for Future Use of Pier Avenue School shortly after it was negotiated.  It was the LAST exhibit to be added to the entire Agreement in 1978.  

The Lease Agreement for Future Use of Pier Avenue School (aka the Recreation Agreement) covers the district’s future use of the gymnasium, changing rooms, tennis courts and auditorium.  It makes sense that if the district had priority rights to use classrooms, office space and storage space at the Community Center, that they also had use of the recreational facilities at the Community Center.   Exhibit K has a 50-year lease that can be renewed in three-year increments.  It was set to expire in 2028.

NOTE: Superintendent Pat Escalante sent a letter renewing the leasing agreement specified in Exhibit K to the City of Hermosa Beach in 2014.