LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
Santa Clara County, CA March 5, 2002 Election
Measure H
Elementary and Middle School Improvements
Campbell Union School District

Bond Issue; 55% approval required

8,772 / 66.7% Yes votes ...... 4,384 / 33.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To complete the repair, renovation, modernization and construction of neighborhood elementary and middle schools; upgrade aged electrical systems, bathrooms and plumbing; improve parking and traffic around elementary and middle schools; enhance libraries and technology capabilities; and improve accessibility for the disabled shall the Campbell Union School District issue bonds of $74,900,000 at interest rates within legal limits, with citizen's oversight and annual financial audits with no proceeds used for administrator salaries?

Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
The Governing Board of the Campbell Union School District has ordered an election on whether bonds shall be issued and sold in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $74,900,000 to construct, acquire, repair and equip classrooms, libraries, improve safety of school facilities.

Proposition 39, approved by the voters in a statewide election November, 2000, amended the California Constitution to authorize the issuance of bonded indebtedness to acquire or improve real property, if approved by fifty-five percent of the votes cast by voters in an election. The Constitution permits the debt service on such bonds to be paid through the imposition of ad valorem property taxes on property located within the district. The maturity of any such bonds issued would not exceed 25 years for those bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code, and 40 years for those bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code, at a rate of interest within the legal limit. The tax rate is estimated not to exceed $30 per $100,000 of taxable property in the District as provided in the Tax Rate Statement. Since the interest rate on the bonds is determined when the bonds are sold, the exact amount of the tax increase can only be determined after the bonds are sold.

With annual audits and citizen oversight, proceeds of the bonds would be used to upgrade classrooms and libraries to meet district standards, provide safety improvements, modernize lighting, roofs, windows, and plumbing, provide for energy efficiency and technology upgrades, removal of hazardous materials, e.g. asbestos, construct restrooms and gymnasiums, and to qualify for state matching funds.

A 'yes' vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $74,900,000 for the uses specified.

A "no' vote is a vote not to authorize the issuance and sale of said bonds.

Ann Miller Ravel, County Counsel

By: Kathryn A. Berry, Deputy County Counsel

  Official Information

Please note
The material about this Measure has been retyped from Registrar of Voters' material. There could be errors. The official material can be obtained from the Registrar of Voters.
Events

Pros & Cons meeting
Feb. 21 - 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Saratoga Community Center
19655 Allendale Ave.
sponsored by AAUW and LWV
General Links

Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co. - Vote No on H
Suggest a link related to Measure H
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure H Arguments Against Measure H
To ensure that all Campbell Union School District elementary and middle school students have the same safe, up-to-date, and efficient learning environment, we're asking for your support. Your yes vote on this measure will help the district to continue with the repair, renovation, and maintenance plans for the schools that haven't been upgraded yet.

Campbell's elementary and middle schools are rolling right along. Student achievement is high and rising throughout the district, modernization and renovation are well underway, and independent audits continue to show that district finances are well-managed.

In 1994, Campbell Union School District voters approved a bond election to begin renovation and upgrades at many of the schools in the district. The projects funded by the bond repaired and replaced many old classrooms and some old buildings. All projects funded by the 1994 bond came in on budget. The new and improved learning environments have helped us continue to raise test scores.

Here's what we need to do to keep on rolling:

1. Repair old, deteriorating buildings and upgrade classrooms.

2. Upgrade the electrical systems in schools where they are too old to handle computers, alarm and security systems, and other technology.

3. Improve the parking and traffic flow conditions around our schools.

4. Fix bathrooms, drinking fountains, and other aged plumbing.

5. Renovate and expand school libraries to accommodate new books, technology, and space for student learning.

Your YES vote will help us accomplish all of these projects, continue to raise student achievement, and provide the same learning environment for all students in the district ... and keep it rolling right along!

Thank you for supporting the children in our elementary and middle schools and providing for our community's future.

Jim Beall, Member, County Board of Supervisors

Matthew T. Dean, Parent & Campbell City Councilmember

Ron Gonzales, Mayor of San Jose

Betty C. Deal, Director, Campbell Chamber of Commerce

Deborah Johnson, President Campbell Elementary Teachers Association

Rebuttal to Arguments For
The $74,900,000 the school district wants to borrow would have to be paid back with interest. The money to pay off this debt comes from the tax payers. Let's get our priorities straight: helping the economy recover by reducing taxes will serve our children better in the long run than raising taxes to pay for expanded libraries. Jobs are more important than electrical system upgrades.

Why hasn't Campbell Union School District made the important repairs from the budget? If all budget expenditures during the last few years have been more important than the repairs and replacements they want to make now, what makes them suddenly more important? If families must move away because high taxes have put them out of work, won't enrollments decline, making repairs and upgrades wasteful?

We should use the current budget to pay for teachers and make important repairs as needed. With whatever money is left, we should pay for whatever administration Campbell Union School District can afford.

Make your vote count. Remember, we don't have the safeguard of requiring a two-thirds vote to pass a school bond measure. It only takes 55%. Keep the Campbell Union School District accountable. While businesses are intent on cutting costs, don't let the school budget balloon out of control.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE H!

For more information visit http://www.VoteNOonH.org .

H. Raymond Strong, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

Elizabeth C. Brierly, MBA, Libertarian Candidate, State Board of Equalization

Dennis Michael Umphress, Candidate for Congress, District 16

When school boards put bond measures like Measure H before the voters, they are saying they want to buy now on credit and pay later. Often, like a credit card debt, by the time they pay it off, whatever they bought will need replacing.

A $74.9 million bond issue paying, for example, 5 percent simple interest for 25 years would mean $93.6 million in interest payments, plus $74.9 million in principle for a total of $168.5 million. As a consumer and taxpayer, you deserve to know the truth about these high costs. The annual interest payment of $3.745 million in the example is money that must be collected in taxes but goes to pay off bond holders, and is NEVER used for teacher salaries or classroom improvements. These interest payments are the cost of deficit financing. You, the taxpayers, pay this cost whenever your school board departs from the prudent and fiscally responsible practice of paying NOW for what is needed NOW, and budgeting to save for what will be needed in the future. Like the fiscally naive credit card holder, the school board could be tempted to spend this large sum of $74,900,000 unwisely, because it was viewed as easily obtained and they believe there will always be more available. Don't make it so easy. Vote NO on this enormous sum.

What's more important to you:

1. spending $3.745 million a year, for example, on teachers salaries and better schools, or

2. spending $3.745 million a year. for example, to provide interest income for bond holders?

Vote FOR responsible and effective spending for education:

Vote NO on Measure H.

For more details, please visit our website at http://www.VoteNOonH.org/ .

H. Raymond Strong, Chair, Ubertarian Party of Santa Clara County

Dennis Michael Umphress, Candidate for Congress, 16th District

Jeff Landauer, Candidate for Congress, 15th District

Elizabeth C. Brierly, Business Analyst, MBA

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
A school bond is like a home mortgage - it's an investment. Many families take out a mortgage to live in their home today and pay it off over time. Similarly, Measure H will fund desperately-needed school repairs and improvements today, and allow current students to benefit.

Many of our students are studying in deteriorating buildings and leaky classrooms. Electrical systems at some schools can't handle modern computers, security systems and other technology. The Campbell Union School District needs funds for specific repairs and additions that are well-publicized. Withholding needed funds will only hurt the high quality of education in our schools.

The School Board has an excellent record of fiscal responsibility. All projects funded by the last bond, passed in 1994, were completed on-budget. Independent audits confirm that district finances are sound. Passage of Measure H will help provide the same safe, up-to-date, and efficient learning environment for all Campbell Union School District students.

State law requires all bond funds be used only for facility and classroom improvements. By law, no bond funds can be used for administrative salaries or district overhead expenses. An oversight committee, made up of private citizens, will oversee bond expenditures to ensure that every dollar is used appropriately, efficiently and only on projects that directly improve the quality of learning in our classrooms and safety of our students. Every dollar raised by Measure H will stay right here in our community to fix our schools.

Please join our teachers, parents, neighbors and businesspeople in voting Yes on Measure H.

Jim Beall, Member, Board of Supervisors

Ron Gonzales, Mayor of San Jose

Betty C. Deal, Director, Campbell Chamber of Commerce

Matthew T. Dean, Parent/Campbell City Councilmember

Deborah Rae Johnson, CETA President

Tax Rate Statement from the School District
As shown in the enclosed sample ballot, an election will be held in the Campbell Union School District of Santa Clara County to authorize the sale of $74,900,000 in general obligation bonds.

In compliance with Elections Code Section 9400 - 9404, the following information is submitted:


1. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to fund principal and interest payments on this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds (fiscal year 2002/2003), based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.295 per $100 ($29.47 per $100,000) assessed valuation.


2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to fund principal and interest payments on this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds (fiscal year 2012/2013), based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement. is $0.296 per $100 ($29.58 per $100,000).


3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to fund principal and interest payments on this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.296 per $100 ($29.58 per $100,000) assessed valuation which would apply in fiscal year 2012/2013.

These figures are based on projections and estimates only and are not binding upon the District. The actual timing of the sale of bonds and the amount sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District, the debt limit at the time of sale, the condition of the bond market and other factors. The actual future assessed values will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined in the assessment and equalization process. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated.

Campbell Union School District

Full Text of Measure H
LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS

  • Modernization of Monroe Middle School
  • Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance
  • Replace and/or repair doors, doorframes and door hardware
  • Replace and/or repair alarm systems
  • Replace portables
  • Asbestos abatement
  • Lead abatement
  • Renovate and construct multi-purpose rooms
  • Upgrade electrical systems
  • Install and/or upgrade exterior lighting
  • Renovate/combine office and media centers
  • Redesign and reconstruct school site parking lots and pick-up areas
  • Construct and/or repair roofs and covered walkways
  • Replace and reglaze windows
  • Replace and/or repair underground pipes and utilities
  • Replace and/or repair drinking fountains
  • Construct gymnasiums
  • Construct and renovate classrooms
  • Replace, repair and upgrade HVAC systems
  • Install energy efficiency systems
  • Replace and/or repair play structures
  • Replace thermostats
  • Landscaping
  • Painting
  • Technology upgrades
  • Install sinks, water faucets and/or cabinetry in classrooms
  • Renovate and construct libraries
  • Upgrade restrooms
  • Construct restrooms near athletic and play fields
  • Upgrade, repair and replace fencing
  • Renovate site kitchens
  • Create covered outdoor eating areas
  • Install safety and security systems
  • Repair and/or replace asphalt
  • Replace carpeting
  • Create pre-school buildings
  • Renovate Hazelwood Elementary School


Santa Clara Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: April 19, 2002 10:58 PDT
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.