Is this just a coincidence in South San Francisco?

Maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe not. But the stated financial demand made by an unhappy construction firm that’s suing the South San Francisco Unified School District is almost exactly the same as the amount of money the district has listed as readily available cash.

According to the state Department of Education’s website, the district’s 201718 budget contains a carryover cash balance of just over $20 million along with a reserve for contingencies of $5 million. That totals about $25 million. Those numbers were officially listed as the current fiscal year commenced this past summer.

That happens to be the same amount being sought by USS Cal Builders Inc., a company that did work for the district some years ago as part of its Measure J construction bond program. That effort has been plagued by a variety of fiscal issues which, at one point, forced district authorities to tap into operating reserves to complete certain needed work.

Many of the key district (and non-district) figures involved in those problematic circumstances are gone now. But the contentious aftermath remains — as does the lawsuit filed by USS Cal Builders. And, as you might imagine, there are other legal actions involved as well, including one filed by the district itself.

So, is the district in any sort of realistic monetary jeopardy, considering that hefty $25 million (that number could actually go higher) matter? Could the district’s coffers somehow handle a loss of that magnitude?

In response, the district issued the following statement last week:

“The district is pleased that the cross-complaint against USS Cal Builders, Inc., will finally be heard in San Francisco Superior Court together with the dozen other lawsuits USS Cal Builders and its many subcontractors have filed against each other.

“The district denies that USS Cal Builders is entitled to any further payments from the district on the Measure J projects. The district is seeking recovery of damages for defective construction, delays, incomplete work and improper change order requests.

“The district looks forward to resolving this dispute on the evidence presented in court.”

The USS Cal Builders lawsuit was originally filed on Dec. 14, 2016. It’s been percolating ever since. It now has a venue for a full hearing. An eventual settlement, though seemingly elusive at this point, would not be out of the question, at least in theory.

Not in the cards

It’s time to say goodbye to the Christmas card — OK, holiday card or winter solstice card or whatever is politically correct these days.

The traditional mailed Christmas card has become something of an anachronism, a relic of a former era. There are plenty of other ways to make the holiday point. E-cards, social media posts, regular emails, you name it. How about a simple phone call. That will do the trick just fine.

Cutting the physical card cord is not easy. There is some guilt involved. We used to mail out 50 or so. This year, not so much. Not even close. This will seem like rejection for some.

The fly in the ointment is the propensity for folks to continue to mail out cards. If you don’t respond in kind, you give the impression you don’t care. Sorry about that.