See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A two-thirds "yes" vote on this measure will authorize Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $88 million.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote on this measure will prevent Sequoia Union High School District from issuing bonds of up to $88 million.

This measure would authorize the Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $88 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not to exceed the legal maximum and shall mature in no more than 30 years. The Board of Trustees has listed the specified purposes of the bonds to be: real property acquisitions and improvements to accommodate enrollment growth and smaller high schools, repairing restrooms, electrical, plumbing, removing asbestos, earthquake safety improvements, building classrooms, science labs, technology and vocational training facilities, parent/student centers, athletic centers, and performing arts centers.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $88 million, for the specified purposes of real property acquisitions and improvements to accommodate enrollment growth and smaller high schools, repairing restrooms, electrical, plumbing, removing asbestos, earthquake safety improvements, building classrooms, science labs, technology and vocational training facilities, parent/student centers, athletic centers, and performing arts centers.

A "no" vote would prevent Sequoia Union High School District from issuing bonds of up to $88 million.

This measure passes if two-thirds (2/3) of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

Election Results

Carlmont
Menlo-Atherton
Redwood
Sequoia
Woodside

The District has accomplished much with bond funds and matching state grants. New classrooms have been built, asbestos has been removed, old roofs have been replaced, classroom renovations are underway, and many critical needs have been met.

But there is still much more to do at each school:

• We need more classrooms for smaller class sizes and targeted academic programs.
• We need to provide basic facilities routinely found at other high schools in our area...adequate science labs, computer access, athletic facilities, and performing arts space.
• We need to design our high schools so they are organized into smaller and more personal spaces for effective teaching and learning.
• We need to add space for parents and community volunteers to provide tutoring and support for our young people.
• We must continue to replace deteriorated plumbing and sewer lines, increase earthquake safety, and upgrade electrical systems for new technology.

Construction bonds can only be used for facilities and buildings. We need facilities that are safe, well-equipped and support high achievement. Our schools should be places where we ourselves would be comfortable spending time.

Please join us in Voting YES on Measure A. It's all about our young people.

/s/ G. E. Moore
Co-Founder, Intel Corp.
/s/ Don Horsley
Sheriff, San Mateo County
/s/ Olivia J. Martinez
Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District
/s/ Peter Uccelli
Owner, Pete's Harbor
/s/ Donald M. Eaton
Councilmember, City of San Carlos

It's about a 71 year old man worth $26 BILLION trying to raise your taxes. Gordon Moore could give the $88 million to the district using only one-third of one percent of his wealth, but he'd rather dig into your pockets.

The average household would pay roughly $1,900 over the life of this bond. Many of us need that money for utility bills or health insurance. And, no, it's not tax-deductible for renters.

It's about political hacks trying to put your money into the pockets of their cronies.

In 1996 voters lavished educrats with $45 million in bond money

"for repairing...restrooms, and electrical and plumbing systems; removing asbestos; making earthquake safety improvements; modernizing classrooms, science labs, and vocational training facilities; upgrading classrooms for computers and other technologies; and constructing school facilities necessary for increased enrollment". (http://www.LPSM.org/MeasureV/)

Sound familiar? The first 8 items of today's Measure A are all items promised in 1996. They're like crooked auto mechanics who don't finish the work, but they promise to this time - for an extra $88 million.

Time for a sanity check: ($45 million + $88 million)/6500 students = $20,000 per student - or $400,000 per classroom. For building repairs?? - Are they using solid gold nails?

You can stop the taxaholics by voting 'No' today. It won't hurt our schools. --They get plenty of money from the taxes we already pay.

/s/ Jack Hickey
Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County
/s/ Jo Lene Hickey
Great Grandma
/s/ Amy Guthrie
Parent
/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt
UI Design Manager
/s/ Christopher VA Schmidt

Spending $50 million each year on 6500 students amounts to over $150,000 for each classroom of 20 students, or $230,000 for a classroom of 30. That's enough to pay teachers good wages and leave plenty for overhead. --And those taxes keep increasing every year.

County property tax growth has outstripped inflation in each of the last 8 years - up 9% in 1999 and 10% in 2000 (http://www.care.co.sanmateo.ca.us/assessor/).

This IS a vote on working within a budget. Should the District borrow money to spend more than we already give them in property taxes and state and federal income taxes, etc? We say 'No'.

This IS a vote on bonded indebtedness - passing costs to another generation of taxpayers, many of whom are too young to vote or haven't been born yet. Should we stick our kids with the bill? We say 'No'.

This IS a vote on decades of future interest payments, totaling approximately $83 million. No, thanks.

This IS a vote on financial shell games. When school bureaucrats want to initiate pet projects, they try to use existing revenue, and cry to the voters that they need a bond to pay for traditional budget items like "fixing leaky roofs". Do they think we are so easily bamboozled? We say 'No'.

/s/ Jack Hickey
Chair - Libertarian Party of San Mateo County
/s/ Raymond M. Bell Jr.
SUHSD Candidate
/s/ Matt Grocott
San Carlos Business Owner
/s/ Christopher VA Schmidt
Taxpayer
/s/ Linden C. Hsu
Secretary, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

Quality schools help define who we are as a community. It's one of the first questions asked by new home buyers. Our neighboring school districts have already passed large construction bonds to improve their schools. Unfortunately, we are not providing basic facilities found at good high schools.

• With Measure A, new classrooms will support smaller class sizes.
• With Measure A, our schools will be safe. We will continue to replace plumbing and sewer lines, improve earthquake safety, remove asbestos, and upgrade electrical systems for new technology.
• With Measure A, our schools will be a source of civic pride and express our community values.

A school construction bond is like taking out a mortgage to build or renovate your home. Our school district can borrow money at inexpensive "tax-exempt" rates...currently less than 5%.

Measure A is supported by Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, independents and moderates, parents and teachers, community leaders and business owners.

Please vote YES on Measure A. Remember, it's all about our young people.

For more information, visit MeasureAforKids.com.

/s/ Jeff Ira
Councilman, City of Redwood City
/s/ Ted Lempert
CEO, Edvoice
/s/ Bill Walsh
General Manager, San Francisco Forty Niners
/s/ Gregg Whitnah
Menlo-Atherton High, San Mateo County Teacher of the Year
/s/ Denise Shackleton
President Carlmont High School PTSA

1. 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 first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is .573 cents per $100 ($5.73 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2001-02.

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 1.219 cents per $100 ($12.19 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2007-08.

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, 1.219 cents per $100 ($12.19 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2007-08.

The best estimate of the average annual tax rate over the life of the bonds is .768 cents per $100 ($7.68 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

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 at any given sale, market interest rates at the time of each bond sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The actual dates of sale of said bonds and the amount sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District and other factors. 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.