Twelve pros and cons of Modesto building a stadium at Gregori

6 Modesto principals' top facility priority is the Gregori stadium.

FACT CHECK: Last year principals did put the stadium first on a prioritized list of facility projects, but three of those principals have since left and the higher stadium price would knock all other safety and refurbishment projects off the list.

7 The stadium could be an economic boon.

FACT CHECK: Mike Mastagni of stadium contractor Acme Construction estimated building the stadium would employ 100 to 200 people, on and off, for the eight to nine months the stadium is being built. Proponents believe large event organizers would rent the stadium, bringing income to the district and benefiting Salida businesses. Chapin said rentals of Downey and Johansen stadiums bring in $6,000 to $8,000 annually. The district has made no study of how many events the new stadium would attract.

8 A stadium would complete Gregori High and be a source of pride for the community.

FACT CHECK: When the stadium was first discussed, Salida Union School District Trustee Virginia Berry told the board the stadium would become a community center. "I believe the stadium is needed," Berry said. Jean Smith of Salida said the community has been waiting for such a facility. "Our students deserve it. This money is for this project. It should be spent," she said.

THE CONS

FACT CHECK: The district expected to deficit-spend up to $22 million this school year and predicts it cannot continue another school year without changes. While the bonds cannot be used for anything except facility costs, those dollars could be used to improve facilities and energy efficiency of older schools to lower expenses. Also, the district depends on redevelopment dollars to repay the bonds, but the fate of those funds is uncertain. Without those funds, the district runs the risk of having to use general fund money to repay the bonds.

2 Facilities money is needed more for repairing and refurbishing older schools.

FACT CHECK: Dozens of Davis students and parents attended the last board meeting, expressing outrage at the state of their campus theater. Principal Lysko said the school lacks air conditioning in its cafeteria and gym, and lacks security fencing around its perimeter. Beyer football coach Jim Wilkerson said gopher holes in his practice fields are causing injuries. Two varsity football players who stepped in holes dislocated their knees and another suffered a compound fracture to his wrist last year, Wilkerson said. Last month the team tagged about 500 holes in each practice field. "They need to address other needs at these aging high schools. They're just letting them crumble," Wilkerson said.

3 It would be far cheaper to rent other stadiums.

FACT CHECK: Renting the Modesto Junior College stadium would cost $1,200 for three games (freshman, junior varsity and varsity) plus some related costs, such as security. Riverbank High charges $1,000 to rent its stadium for a night. Ceres stadiums are only available for Ceres nonprofit or civic groups. Several private schools also have stadiums available in the area.

4 It sends a message that schools aren't really running low on funds.

FACT CHECK: Calls, e-mails, online comments and letters to the editor from community members to The Bee consistently reflect that. The $140 million expended building Gregori High far outstripped the $66 million the district planned to spend on the school. According to an audit of the 2010-11 fiscal year, the district is carrying $149 million in long-term debt on which it paid $9.5 million in debt service last year. However, most of those dollars come from funds dedicated to facilities and could not be used to shore up the district's cash-strapped general fund. The public perception of spending freely while schools are pleading for more money is a problem, Board Vice President Rubén Villalobos said during a previous board meeting. "It's hard to show your priorities are right when you've got another monument going up and people are being laid off," he said.