Orange Unified School District votes to save Barham Ranch
	At the historic OUSD Board meeting Oct. 24, 2002. 5 votes were needed out of the 7 on the Board for this land disposition vote. The County had publicly allocated $4,030,000 for the purchase. Could this be enough? Could they come up with any more, in this time of budget troubles? Shirley Grindle reported that the funding was secured years ago, just waiting for this moment. But would the new Board do the right thing?
	Trust for Public Lands: Laguna Beach Field Office Scott Ferguson (949) 494-8034 pointed out the perils of land speculation, and the over-rated nature of "conservation bank" leveraging. TPL supported conveyance of Barham Ranch to the County as per the offer on the table.
	Press scrutiny from several directions. The tension and pressure on the board mounted, until all the cards landed on the table...
	Mike Alvarez, Orange Council, has been a developer for 16 years, turned down a development on the area, as did others. No educational benefit to holding the land, take the offer. Could be used for educational field trips. Mayor Murphy, Villa Park Council member McGowan, and many other local officials and other big wigs spoke for the common sense alternative: concentrate on education.
	Bottom line: Supervisor Spitzer has an offer on the table. "...I don't have the cash on me", he responded to a request from the Board treasurer to step into the other room. After negotiation, Spitzer managed to come up with the final and best offer, $4,593,000. The Board voted 5 to 2 to accept the offer, saving Barham Ranch for the next generation.