This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sd/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
San Diego County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Proposition BB
Bond Issue
Sweetwater Union High School District

62,330 / 72.41% Yes votes ...... 23,753 / 27.59% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To relieve overcrowding, repair local schools and improve safety conditions for students in the Sweetwater Union High School District, serving the communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, San Ysidro and portions of San Diego, shall the District repair and upgrade school facilities, adding classrooms; improving fire alarms; removing asbestos; upgrading electrical wiring; renovating water and sewer lines; improving heating and ventilation systems; renovating restrooms; and replacing worn roofs by issuing $187 million of bonds, at interest rates within the legal limit?

Official Sources of Information
Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
This proposition, if approved by two-thirds of the voters voting on the proposition, would authorize the Governing Board of the Sweetwater Union High School District to have issued and sold $187,000,000 in general obligation bonds on its behalf. The issuance and sale of a bond by a school district is for the purpose of raising money for the district and represents a debt of the district. In exchange for the money received from the holder of the bond, the district promises to pay the holder a set amount of interest for a certain period of time, and to repay the loan on the expiration date.

The proceeds of these bonds would be used to relieve overcrowding, repair local schools and improve safety conditions for students in the Sweetwater Union High School District. Purposes would include repair and upgrade of school facilities, addition of classrooms, improvement of fire alarms, removal of asbestos; upgrade of electrical wiring; renovation of water and sewer lines; improvement of heating and ventilation systems; renovation of restrooms; and replacement of worn roofs.

The interest rate on any bond, which is established at the time of bond issuance, could not exceed twelve percent (12%) per annum. The final maturity date of any bond could be no later than twenty-five (25) years after the date of the bond. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the Sweetwater Union High School District in an amount sufficient to pay the interest as it becomes due and to provide a sinking fund for payment of the principal on or before maturity. Article XIII A of the California Constitution exempts from the one percent property tax rate limitation ad valorem taxes to pay the interest and redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or improvement of real property approved by the voters on or after July 1, 1978. The approval must be by two-thirds of the votes cast by the voters voting on the proposition. Legal authorization is contained in state law permitting school districts to issue bonds at the interest rate, for the period of time, and for the specified purposes, subject to two-thirds voter approval.

A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the Sweetwater Union High School District to issue bonds for the purpose stated in the proposition.

A "no" vote is a vote against authorizing the Sweetwater Union High School District to issue bonds for the purpose stated in the proposition.

  News and Analysis

San Diego Union-Tribune (via KPBS)

Suggest a link related to Proposition BB
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Proposition BB Arguments Against Proposition BB
The needs of the schools in our community are serious and significant. Many of the schools in Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, San Ysidro and portions of San Diego are between 40 and 60 years old and need significant repair. They have outdated electrical and plumbing systems, broken sewage pipes, inadequate ventilation and heating systems. Many schools are overcrowded and additional laboratories and classrooms are needed to accommodate students safely and effectively.

Two years ago, a broad based community task force was convened to examine the physical condition of local schools. After studying the needs of the schools, the task force developed a comprehensive plan to address the most pressing and urgent needs.

The task force eliminated improvements that were desired but not immediately critical. Strict priorities were established:

  • renovate plumbing, electrical, and heating systems
  • replace aging and leaky roofs
  • make structural improvements to provide for earthquake safety
  • renovate obsolete classrooms and science laboratories
  • renovate children's restrooms
  • re-wire schools for safety and technology
  • enlarge and upgrade school libraries Only those repairs that could be made and paid for in a twelve-year time frame were approved, thereby reducing the cost to taxpayers.

Passage of Proposition BB will qualify our local schools to receive over $ 60 million in matching state funds that will otherwise be given to other districts.

No Proposition BB funds can be spent on district administrative offices or salaries.

Upon passage of Proposition BB, an independent citizens' oversight committee will oversee the projects to make sure every dollar is spent properly and that the buildings are maintained in proper

condition.

All money raised by Proposition BB is tax deductible and will stay in our community to benefit local children.

Please join us in voting Yes.

ROGER CAZARES, President, CEO Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC) Project

NORA HANSON, PTA Council President

SCOTT BARNETT, Executive Director, San Diego County Taxpayers Association

EDMUND "PAT" LA PIERRE, Associate Region Manager for Golden State Mobile Home Owners League (GSMOL)

BOB FILNER, U. S. Congressman, 50th U. S. Congressional District

Rebuttal to Arguments For
$187,000,000 @ 6% FOR 25 YEARS EQUALS $361,284,000. THAT'S WHAT THIS BOND WILL COST US TAXPAYERS

@ $26.00 PER $100,000 ASSESSMENT OVER 25 YEARS A $200,000 HOMEOWNER WILL PAY $1,300.00 $300,000 " " " $1,950.00

$400,000 " " " $2,600.00 $500,000 " " " $3,250.00 OVER & ABOVE WHAT YOU PAY NOW!! (RENTERS PAY THRU THEIR RENT, WITH NO TAX DEDUCTION)

THE DISTRICTS GENERAL LONG TERM DEBT FOR '98-'99 WAS $29,911,303. THIS BOND WILL INCREASE IT 6 1 /4 TIMES TO $216,911,303 PLUS INTEREST @ 6%. TOTAL COUNTY K-12 GENERAL LONG TERM DEBT FOR '98-'99 IS A WHOPPING $1.1+ BILLION DOLLARS. IS THERE NO END TO THE BOTTOMLESS MONEY PIT CALLED EDUCATION?

WORN ROOFS, FIRE ALARMS, WATER PIPES, ELECTRICAL WIRING, SEWER LINES. OUR QUESTION SHOULD BE ARE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE?

HAS THE DISTRICT BEEN SPENDING MONEY ON THE WRONG PRIORITY'S? MAYBE THE DISTRICT BOARD-ADMINISTRATIONS AND TEACHERS SHOULD ASK FOR A CITIZENS CURRICULUM REVIEW OF WHAT THEY'R TEACHING. WITH THE 3-R'S ON TOP AS NO. 1-2-3 AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS SOCIAL CHANGE ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE ON THE BOTTOM AS NEXT TO LAST LAST NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN

IN MARCH 1997 WE VOTERS TURNED DOWN THEIR 1/ 2 BILLION ($ 500,000,000) BOND REQUEST.

A NO VOTE IS STILL IN ORDER ON BB & AA

PS: JUST HEARD THAT SUHS RECEIVED $10.5/ 11 MILLION (AB 2880) FROM THE STATE FOR DISCRETIONARY USE. OBVIOUSLY IT WAS USED FOR SALARY INCREASES NOT ROOF REPAIR OR FIRE ALARMS.

BOB GREEN, Real Estate Broker

MARTIN HAASE, Business Owner

BARBARA A. BROWN CNSI - Chula Vista Elementary School District

What:?! ANOTHER tax?!

We've already passed enough school bonds!

We passed Prop. 98 which established a minimum level of spending. Presently over 40% of California's state General Fund is being spent on education. Then, just two years ago we passed Prop. 1A, the gigantic $9.2 BILLION state bond. Money is POURING into education.

Even after squandering millions of dollars over the years, the education establishment is still seeking a huge tax increase to do what taxpayers thought bureaucrats had been doing all along
-maintaining and improving our schools. Instead of more taxes we need better accountability.

Make no mistake Prop BB is a TAX INCREASE. Property taxes must be raised to pay for this bond plus the interest over the years.

Money is fungible money not spent in one place can be spent elsewhere. We already pay enough for all the items in the bond proposal. The problem is that money is spent elsewhere, primarily on salaries for the education establishment that far exceeds what the market would dictate. Total public funding for education greatly exceeds average private school costs. This bond measure is really another attempt to free up existing capital funds so that they can be spent on salaries, perks, bureaucracy, "prevailing wage", high construction costs, and other unnecessary or even harmful expenses. Had enough? There are only three voter positions when it comes to taxes:
1. taxes are too high.
2. taxes are about right.
3. taxes are too low.

If you agree with position "3" then you should support this bond. However, if you agree with either position "1" or "2", then you should vote NO on Prop. BB.
www. opine. org/ PropBB

BOB GREEN, Real Estate Broker

RICHARD CARDULLA, Libertarian Candidate for the 79th State Assembly

STEVE GREEN, Chairman, San Diego County Libertarian Party

DAVID A. WILLOUGHBY, Ph. D., Libertarian Candidate 50th Congressional District

EDWARD M. TEYSSIER, Vice-Chair, San Diego Tax Fighters

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
Libertarian candidates arguing against Proposition BB are hoping for free campaign publicity. Unfortunately, they are not informed about the needs of our local schools. But groups that know the facts, including San Diego Taxpayers Association and homeowners' and senior citizens' organizations, endorse Proposition BB.

The facts are:

Three years ago, local voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bond measure to repair and renovate our high schools. That measure narrowly missed the 66.7% required support.

A citizens' task force has re-evaluated physical conditions at our schools and recommended a new plan to cover the district's most pressing needs. There are no frills, no expensive "wish lists," no blank checks.

Proposition BB is very specific. Classrooms will be built to relieve overcrowding. Schools deteriorated due to age and constant use will be renovated. Schools will be upgraded for health and safety preventing disasters like the recent fire, caused by a faulty heating system at Chula Vista Middle.

A citizens' oversight committee will ensure the money is spent for what it is intended improved learning facilities. No money may be used for district administration or salaries. Many San Diego County districts have passed bonds to renovate school facilities. Because these districts have passed bond measures, they now qualify for state matching funds.

If Proposition BB is not passed, future state funds will go to other districts throughout the state. This measure defines our district's future. Good schools are critical for student learning and they help maintain our property values.

Please vote YES.

SUSAN GOLDING, Mayor of San Diego

SHIRLEY HORTON, Mayor of Chula Vista

GEORGE H. WATERS, Mayor of National City

DIANE ROSE, Mayor of Imperial Beach

Tax Rate Statement
To: The voters voting in the November 7, 2000 election on the question of the issuance of $187,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Sweetwater Union High School District:

You are hereby notified in accordance with Section 9401 of the Elections Code of California of the following:
1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds (Fiscal Year 2001-02), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account future growth, is the following: $. 02692 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $26.92 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.
2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the last sale of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply (Fiscal Year 2015-16), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account future growth, is the following: $. 02692 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $26.92 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Year after last sale of bonds: 2015-16.
3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments on the bonds and the year in which such rate would apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account future growth, is the following: $. 02692 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $26.92 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Year of highest tax rate: Tax rate is projected to be the same every year.

Submittal of the foregoing statement has been approved by the Sweetwater Union High School District.


San Diego Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: January 25, 2001 02:34
Smart Voter 2000 <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © 2000 League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.