Pass: 6,240 / 62.9% Yes votes ...... 3,673 / 37.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Bonds Yes ________ Bonds No _________

The Board of Trustees of the San Carlos School District has proposed this measure which would authorize the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $38 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in no more than 31 years. Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3)(B) of the California Constitution requires that the District list the specific school facilities projects to be funded from the bond revenue and certify that the Board has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in the development of that list. The District's "Bond Project List" for the proposed bond is attached to the full text of the measure and can be generally described as follows: at each of the District's six school sites there will be projects to modernize classrooms and restrooms, replace sewer lines, paint, install heating and ventilation systems, replace interior lighting, update electrical services and repair and replace asphalt and concrete.

The measure requires the District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the sale of the bonds as set forth in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution and Education Code sections 15272 et seq. The District must appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on the listed school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize San Carlos School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $38 million to perform projects to modernize classrooms and restrooms, replace sewer lines, paint, install heating and ventilation systems, replace interior lighting, update electrical services and repair and replace asphalt and concrete.

A "no" vote would preclude San Carlos School District from issuing bonds of up to $38 million.

This measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

In 1997, voters overwhelmingly approved a bond for the San Carlos School District. These funds allowed the District to build new classrooms, replace old heating, electrical and plumbing systems, update science and computer labs, and improve school libraries.

In addition, the District reopened Tierra Linda Middle School to avoid overcrowding at Central Middle School. But there is much more to do.

Measure E will raise the additional local funds needed to continue the renovation and expansion of the San Carlos schools.

Measure E funds will: 1) Modernize and renovate all remaining classrooms. 2) Replace aging roofs and drainage systems. 3) Complete the upgrading of water, gas, sewer, and electrical systems. 4) Modernize the Central Middle School multiuse room for school and community use. 5) Update the communications and safety systems serving school buildings and classrooms. 6) Build new classrooms to accommodate growth.

Measure E provides for accountability. An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee will monitor the way Measure E funds are spent. This committee of local residents will make sure the funds are spent efficiently and in accord with the ballot measure.

San Carlos school facilities are 42 to 66 years old and require basic renovations to continue to serve our students and our community. The repairs and upgrades must be completed. It's good sense to act now to avoid inflationary cost increases.

Please join us in making an investment that will prepare our local schools to serve generations of students for decades to come. Vote Yes on Measure E.

Yes! --but with good reason.

Thanks to revenue growth that has far outpaced inflation, our schools have plenty of money to work with.

In 20032004 (the most recent year for which data is available from EdData*) the District had $272,000 in revenue for the average class of
21.4 students, of which $72,000 was used to pay the teacher's salary and benefits. That left $200,000 per class for other spending, like new construction, if the District wanted to make that a priority, rather than spending so much on ancillary staff. They have the revenue now. The trustees want a bond only to avoid the minimal work of setting priorities and working within a budget.

Vote `no'. They have plenty of money already.

• http://www.eddata. k12.ca.us/dev/District.asp The undersigned proponent(s) or author(s) of the primary argument against Ballot Measure D at the Consolidated Special Statewide Election for the Woodside Elementary School District to be held on November 8, 2005, hereby state that such argument is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.