5,795 / 62.7% Yes votes ...... 3,441 / 37.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $69,000,000 for the uses specified.

A NO vote of this measure means:

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

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 approximately $57 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 make schools safe, relieve overcrowding, and qualify for State matching funds, to repair and renovate local schools, to upgrade deteriorated plumbing and bathrooms, to repair aging roofs, install energy efficient heating and cooling, replace portables with permanent classrooms, increase electrical capacity, construct, acquire and improve classrooms and schools, including Phase I of a new high school.

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $69,000,000 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: /s/ Kathryn A. Berry, Deputy County Counsel

Because this material has been retyped from material filed with the Registrar of Voters there could be errors. For the official information please contact the Registrar of Voters.

Edwin Diaz (408)847-2700; Fax: (408)847-4717

argument in favor: Robert Kraemer (408)842-6949; Fax: (408)847-3949

rebuttal to argument against: Wayne Lile (408)476-1998; Fax: (408)848-5197

argument against (and rebuttal to argument in favor): Mark Hinkle (408)778-2444; Fax: (408)778-1115

Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co.

Better Schools For Gilroy Children

San Jose Mercury News - Oct. 26

• Measures article

The task force found that aging, crowded school facilities are impacting safety and the quality of education in Gilroy. Their plan increases the District's commitment to facility maintenance, eliminates improvements that were desired but not critical, and adds essential new projects based on need and community feedback.

Gilroy schools have served generations of local children but most schools have grown old - 30-40 years old - and need significant rehabilitation. Classrooms are outdated. Roofs leak. Plumbing, sewers, and restrooms are worn out. Dozens of portables have been added to relieve overcrowding with virtually no increases in science labs or library space. Electrical capacity, lighting, heating and ventilating are inefficient and costly.

Measure I will:

• Upgrade all schools for safety
• Construct additional classrooms to relieve overcrowding
• Rehabilitate outdated classrooms, science labs, libraries, and cafeterias
• Repair/replace leaky roofs
• Upgrade deteriorated restrooms, plumbing, and sewers
• Replace inefficient heating and ventilation systems
• Improve electrical capacity and access to technology
• Rebuild Eliot and Las Animas Schools
• Build Phase-1 of a new high school

All Measure I funds will stay in our community, benefiting local students. By law, every Measure I dollar will go directly into critical facility upgrades.

Measure I will qualify our community for up to $21 million in State matching funds. Without Measure I, these funds will go to other school districts that have passed local school bonds.

An independent Citizens Oversight Committee and annual audits will ensure Measure I funds are spent properly.

Help ensure good, safe schools and enhanced property values in Gilroy.

Please vote YES on I.

/s/ Donald F. Gage, Supervisor, Dist. 1
/s/ Sig Sanchez, Director, Santa Clara Valley Water District
/s/ Tony Fuentes, Community Member
/s/ Patricia V. Kloecker
/s/ John C. Day, parent

Clearly, they think everything in their curent operating budget is more important than student safety. Otherwise, they would be spending money from the annual budget on safety. Do you agree?

They also want to update "science labs, libraries, and cafeterias.". They want to "replace leaky roofs", "heating and ventilation systems," and upgrade "restrooms, plumbing, and sewers.". They want to "rebuild Eliot and Las Animas Schools." Again, these are all lower priorities to them than what's in the current budget.

Do you agree these are low priority items?

As a homeowner or renter, do you or your landlord wait 30-40 years to make repairs? No, you make or request them as needed. Why doesn't the school district board budget for repairs?

Bonds are a very expensive way of paying for improvements. Consider that over the typical 30- to 40-year life of a bond at an interest rate of just 5% interest means you'll have to pay an estimated $225,000,000 (principle PLUS INTEREST) for $90,000,000 worth of improvements. So, most of your money goes to bond holders and not to rehabilitate Gilroy schools.

Please support fiscal responsibility and vote AGAINST Measure I.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE I!

For more information, visit http://www.VoteNoonI.org

/s/ H. R. Strong, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co.
/s/ Elizabeth C. Brierly, Candidate, State Board of Equalization
/s/ Geroge M. Swenson, President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Assoc.
/s/ Mark W. A. Hinkle, Retired Engineering Manager

Why hasn't the Gilroy Unified School District made these important repairs from their ongoing budgets? If all budget expenditures during the last few years have been more imporant 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 Gilroy Unified 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 Gilroy Unified School District accountable. While businesses are intent on cutting costs, don't let the school budget balloon out of control.

You can be FOR schools, FOR students, and AGAINST Measure I.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE I!

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

/s/ H. R. Strong, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co.
/s/ Dennis Michael Umphress, Libertarian Candidate for Congress, 16th District
/s/ George Swenson, President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Assoc.
/s/ Mark W. A. Hinkle, Gavilan College Trustee Candidate
/s/ Elizabeth C. Brierly, Candidate, State Board of Equalization

• 1. They do not live in Gilroy.
• 2. Apparently, they haven't taken the time to visit our schools or our community to review our needs and the benefits of this measure.
• 3. There is no evidence that they ever attended one of the community meetings where Gilroy school repairs were discussed.

Here are the facts:

Most Gilroy schools are 30-40 years old and many are overcrowded. Their needs are evident. Classrooms and science labs are antiquated. Water pipes leak. Sewer lines get clogged. Ventilation systems break down. Electrical circuits blow due to limited capacity.

Gilroy children deserve better.

State law requires a specific plan for use of these funds. Only repairs and upgrades essential to maintaining quality Gilroy schools are included. There are no frills, no expensive wishlists, no blank checks.

Measure I funds cannot be used for salaries or bureaucracy. Annual audits and an independent Citizens Oversight Committee are required to ensure compliance.

California law requires local funding in order to qualify for State matching funds, thus reducing the cost to local taxpayers for rehabilitating our schools.

Quality schools help protect everyone's property values. That's why Measure I is supported by seniors, homeowners, business leaders and taxpayers.

Don't be persuaded by people with no knowledge of Gilroy schools or our local needs. Measure I is a responsible measure to relieve overcrowding and fix our schools.

Please vote YES.

/s/ Susan L. Valenti, Businesswoman - Resident
/s/ Eleanor S. Villarreal, Community Volunteer
/s/ Dale B. Connell, Senior Citizen, Gilroy Resident
/s/ Marta M. Dinsmore, Parent
/s/ Ric Heinzen, Businessman - Resident

• 1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 5.669 cents per $100 ($56.69 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2003-04.

• 2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 5.706 cents per $100 ($57.06 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07.

• 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 5.718 cents per $100 ($57.18 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2010-11.

The District's best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over all of the years the bonds will be outstanding is $57.05 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

Dated: July 25, 2002.

/s/ Edwin Diaz
Superintendent, Gilroy Unified School District

This Proposition may be known and referred to as the "Gilroy Area School Improvement Bond of 2002" or as "Measure I".

The Gilroy Unified School District, serving the City of Gilroy and unincorporated portions of Santa Clara County, is supported by a community that is dedicated to creating and maintaining a quality learning environment for all of its children.

Many of the District's school buildings are 35 years old or older and in need of major repairs and upgrades. Enrollment in the District is expected to grow by 23% within the next 15 years. Nearly all other school districts in Santa Clara County have already approved local school construction and renovation bonds for their communities.

With community feedback and assistance from outside architectural and engineering professionals, the District developed a significantly revised and updated Facilities Master Plan. The Facilities Master Plan sets forth the following goals: (1) to improve older schools equitably and bring all existing schools up to District standards; (2) to modernize and upgrade facilities at Gilroy High School; (3) to build a second high school to reduce overcrowding; and (4) to improve maintenance of all schools, to ensure that facilities improvements will benefit the community for years to come.

This bond measure is the only realistic way to meet the community's goals for its school facilities. A local bond will also help the District secure up to $37 million in State bond funds for local repairs and improvements.

By aproval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Gilroy Unified School District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $69,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the Gilroy Unified School District's voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Gilroy Unified School District, all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, Section 1 (b)(3) of the State Constitution, and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at Education Code Sections 15264 and following).

Evaluation of Needs. The Governing Board has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the Gilroy Unified School District at each campus and facility, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Governing Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Governing Board shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure that bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Governing Board.

Annual Performance Audits. The Governing Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Annual Financial Audits. The Governing Board shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Governing Board shall take actions necessary to establish an account in which proceeds of the sale of bonds will be deposited. As long as any proceeds of the bonds remain unexpended, the Superintendent of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2003, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as the Superintendent shall deterine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the Gilroy Unified School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed at a particular school site. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, inspection and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The actual cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, constructions bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, the District anticipates that completion of certain projects on the list will require funds from non-bond sources that have not yet been received, including expected State grant funds for eligible projects, local developer fees, local "Measure J" monies, and deferred maintnenance funds. Therefore the Governing Board cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

Single Purpose. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100, and all the enumerated purposes shall constitute the specific single purpose of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purpose, pursuant to Government Code Section 53410.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, and that interest will be made payable at the time or times permitted by law. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature more than 25 years from the date borne by that bond.

The District hereby requests that the Registrar of Voters include the following statement in the ballot pamphlet, pursuant to Section 15122.5 of the Education Code:

"Approval of Measure I does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Gilroy Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure I will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure I. The District's proposal for the project or projects assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure."

GILROY HIGH SCHOOL

• Repair and renovate existing academic classrooms
• Upgrade science and computer labs and vocational lab
• Acquire and install approximately 10 portable classrooms to relieve temporary overcrowding
• Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing systems
• Replace old, inefficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Expand library/multimedia learning center and add book storage facilities
• Build student center with cafeteria and food service facilities for indoor and covered outdoor seating (1,000 approximate total seating); central restrooms; and renovate existing food service area near gym
• Renovate theater and music room to improve instruction and better accommodate school and public assemblies
• Upgrade fire alarms and security system for improved safety and security
• Upgrade electrical, data, communications, and technology infrastructure
• Replace deteriorating windows and doors
• Renovate teacher/staff work room
• Upgrade student walkways and common areas to improve foot traffic flows and relieve congestion during peak periods
• Reconfigure parking lot, including exit-lane expansion, for improved safety
• Replace old, energy inefficient indoor and outdoor lighting
• Upgrade building exteriors, walkways, asphalt, grounds, fencing, benches, covered seating areas, storm drains and exterior structures for improved safety, security and protection during unfavorable weather.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL - PHASE ONE

• Acquire land for new 1800 student comprehensive high school
• Complete Phase One site development including utilities and road extensions
• Complete Phase One construction:
  1. Construct general use buildings and grounds to accommodate 1800 students: library/multimedia facility including computer labs, main gym, cafeteria and food service facilities, and space for student-support services
  2. Build classrooms for 50% of comprehensive high school (900 students)

MOUNT MADONNA HIGH SCHOOL

• Acquire and install 2 academic classrooms to accommodate projected growth in student enrollment
• Relocate and rebuild physical education courts to accommodate optimal placement of new academic classrooms

BROWNELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Convert 2 existing classrooms into science labs and add 2 new science labs
• Upgrade fire alarms and security system for improved safety and security
• Upgrade electrical, data, communications, and technology infrastructure
• Construct new multi-purpose room with food service facilities to accommodate school instructional, assembly and food service needs
• Convert existing food service area into music instruction classroom
• Remove aging, unusable portable classrooms from site

SOUTH VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Repair and renovate existing academic classrooms
• Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing systems and upgrade restrooms
• Replace old, inefficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Upgrade building exteriors indcluding repair or replacement of leaky roofs
• Expand/improve library/multimedia center, including computer labs
• Upgrade fire alarms and security system for improved safety and security
• Upgrade electrical, data, communications, and technology infrastructure
• Reconfigure parking flow and bus loading/unloading zones to improve safety
• Replace old, inefficient indoor and outdoor lighting
• Replace deteriorating windows, doors and flooring
• Repair and renovate existing food service facilities

EL ROBLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Reconfigure existing classroom buildings to create individual classrooms
• Acquire and install approximately 2 new classrooms to relieve overcrowding
• Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing systems and upgrade/add restrooms
• Replace old, inefficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Upgrade building exteriors indcluding repair or replacement of leaky roofs
• Construct new library/multimedia center, including new computer labs
• Convert/remodel existing computer lab to accommodate teacher work room and additional space for student-support services, storage and school office
• Upgrade fire alarms and security system for improved safety and security
• Upgrade electrical, data, communications, and technology infrastructure
• Construct multi-purpose room with food service facilities (none currently exists) to accommodate school instructional, assembly and food service needs.
• Replace old, inefficient indoor and outdoor lighting
• Replace deteriorating windows and doors

ELIOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Rebuild/construct new 2-story school on existing site
  1. Increase classroom capacity, including kindergarten classrooms, to accommodate approximately 610 students from existing capacity of 350 students
  2. Construct general use school support facilities on site, including adequate restrooms for students and staff; library/multimedia center with new computer labs; multi-purpose room with food service facilities to accommodate school instructional, assembly and food service needs; storage for instructional materials, equipment and supplies; teacher work room and school office

GLEN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Acquire and install approximately 6 classrooms to replace deteriorated portables
• Construct new library/multimedia center including new computer labs
• Reconfigure parking lot, bus loading/unloading zones, and student pick-up/drop-off areas for improve safety
• Add multi-purpose room with food service facilities (none currently exists) to accommodate school instructional, assembly and food service needs
• Repair and renovate teacher work room and reconfigure school office to provide additional space for student-support services and storage

LAS ANIMAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Acquire land to re-build existing school on new site
• Build new elementary school
  1. Construct classrooms to accommodate 750 students with infrastructure to meet future expansion based on projected enrollment growth
  2. Construct general use school support facilities, including adequate restrooms for students and staff; library/multimedia center with new computer labs; multi-purpose room with food service facilities to accommodate school instructional, assembly and food service needs; storage for instructional materials, equipment and supplies; teacher work room and school office

RUCKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Replace 6 aging portable classrooms with new permanent classroom wing
• Acquire approximately 4 acres of land for future capacity expansion to accommodate up to 750 students
• Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing systems and upgrade restrooms
• Upgrade building exteriors including repair or replacement of leaky roofs
• Replace old, inefficient lighting and deteriorating flooring
• Upgrade electrical, data, communications, and technology infrastructure
• Expand/upgrade library/multimedia center including new computer labs

ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES AT NEWER SCHOOLS
Luigi Aprea, Antonio Del Buono, Rod Kelly and Mount Madonna Schools):

• Add new equipment, technology and multimedia capability to enhance instruction
• Upgrade energy management systems to maximize energy efficiency
• Upgrade fire alarms and security systems for improved safety and security
• Upgrade electrical capacity and technology infrastructure
• Upgrade telephone, data, and communications systems

ALL SCHOOL SITES WHERE RENOVATION, MAJOR REPAIRS AND/OR NEW CONSTRUCTION TO BE COMPLETED

• Remove hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, mold, mildew, etc.) where necessary
• Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (e.g. plumbing, or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic structural, etc.)
• Improve schools as required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the American With Disabilities Act
• Provide adequate furniture and equipment for all classrooms, and spaces to be newly constructed or reconstructed, including classroom technology, computer and science equipment, and book storage, and replacement of worn/broken/out of date furniture and equipment
• Demolition of existing buildings to be replaced with new construction
• Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities
• Necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of portable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property
• New replacement construction if Board of Trustees determines that replacement is more economical than rehabilitation/renovation
• Provide temporary (interim) classrooms and other school facilities as needed to accommodate students and school functions displaced during construction