20,772 / 67.5% Yes votes ...... 9,999 / 32.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A 55% "yes" vote on this measure would authorize Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds of up to $88 million for modernization and upgrade of facilities.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote would 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: to modernize and upgrade existing facilities; provide Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility; add new classrooms and a performing arts facility; renovate an auditorium, classrooms/library-media centers, restrooms; upgrade or replace computers, and other equipment; convert existing facilities to accommodate additional science classrooms; create tutoring areas; support a high tech facility; upgrade and construct a swimming pool, gymnasiums, fields and tracks.

The measure requires the Sequoia Union High School 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 15264 et seq. The District Board must appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent audits to assure that funds are spent only on school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes.

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 purposes listed above.

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

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

Resolution Authorizing the Election

Bond Project List

Aging plumbing, electrical and other systems need to be replaced. Funds will be used to upgrade electrical and data lines, repair termite and dry rot damage, and improve heating and ventilation systems. Earthquake safety must be improved by completing seismic upgrades to make our high schools safer.

There is a need to create additional classroom space. Without more classrooms, the District cannot lower class size or prevent overcrowding. Measure G funds will build the new classrooms our students need. Our local high schools also need new science labs, athletic and performing arts classrooms and facilities. Additionally, funds are needed to renovate Carrington Hall Auditorium and to support a new high tech facility at Sequoia High School.

Using 1996 local bond funds and matching state grants, the high school district has replaced old roofs, built new classrooms, renovated existing classrooms, constructed new libraries, and begun the renovation of aging buildings. But there is much more to do.

There are specific plans for every dollar Measure G will raise. No bond funds can be spent on teacher or administrator salaries. An independent Citizens Oversight Committee will review all bond expenditures to make sure funds are spent as stated in the District Project List.

The cost is very reasonable. Measure G will cost a yearly average of $7.68 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (not market value). Find out more at http://www.AboutMeasureG.com

Good schools make for good communities. Join us in voting Yes on Measure G. It's for our students and for our community.

/s/ Don Horsley
Sheriff

/s/ Rosa G. Perez
President, Canada College

/s/ Ted Lempert
CEO, Edvoice

/s/ Laurence K Buckmaster
President, Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce

/s/ Linda Teutschel
Event Coordinator, San Carlos Chamber of Commerce

Look who's not back: A man worth $24 billion led that argument, joined by the usual politicians and their cronies. They spoke of the district's "needs" - but when Measure A failed, they didn't dig into their own pockets. They still want the full $88 million from YOU.

Deja vu: In 1996, voters lavished educrats with $45 million:

"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".

Sound familiar? We already paid for almost every item in Measure G 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.

What happened? Renovated: landscaping, athletic fields, tennis courts, bleachers, basketball facilities, orchestra pit. New: dance studio, student patio, garden, snack bar, swimming pool, and a new faculty parking lot, among other things.

97/98 revenue: $45 million. 99/00 revenue: $57 million. Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1.

Sanity check: ($45 million + $88 million) / 7000 students = $19,000 per student - or $400,000 per classroom. For repairs??

/s/ John J. Hickey
Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt
UI Design Manager

/s/ Christopher VA Schmidt
Retired Computer Professional

"I wish my parents had borrowed more money when I was a kid - and left their debts for me to pay off."

Of course not! - but many or most politicians seek to do exactly that with bonds: Borrow now and pay later. It's only "other people's money". But we do not need to borrow money to fund our schools.

Boatloads of Money: Combine the following:

• record property tax revenue from some of the most expensive real estate in America
• record sales tax revenue from one of the highest sales tax rates in America
• record state income tax revenue from the richest state taxpayers in America
• bonus money from the state lottery

The Sequoia Union High School District's cut adds up to over $55 million annually, or over $160,000 per classroom of 20. That should be enough to pay teachers well AND pay for maintenance and overhead.

Raising more money would only encourage waste and graft.

This is a vote on decades of future interest payments, adding over $86 million to the original cost of the bond. No, thanks.

The Bottom Line: Principal and interest payments would total over $174 million. That's almost $2,000 in new taxes per household, over the next 30 years - on top of what you pay now.

/s/ Brian Holtz
Candidate for San Carlos School Board

/s/ John J. Hickey
Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

/s/ Linden Hsu
Candidate for Belmont City Council

/s/ Raymond M. Bell Jr
Candidate for SUHSD Board

/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt
UI Design Manager

• The high schools in the Sequoia Union High School District are old. All are in need of renovation and expansion in order to continue to serve the community. Just saying there might be "boatloads of money" somewhere in California does not change the fact that there are no federal, state or local funds available to address the needs of our local schools.

• The cost of Measure G is very reasonable. It will cost a yearly average of $7.68 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value. Do not be misled by the fuzzy math in our opponent's statement.

• Bonds are used across the state and nation to build schools. The reason is simple. School bonds spread the cost of building classrooms, science labs, libraries and other facilities over 30 years. That way, everyone who benefits helps to pay the cost. The alternative is to ask today's taxpayers to pay the entire cost of renovating our schools. That's not fair.

Join us in protecting the value of these assets -- and the value of our homes, our businesses and our community -- by voting yes on Measure G.

/s/ Peter Uccelli
Owner, Pete's Harbor

/s/ Denise Shackleton
Carlmont High School PTSA President

/s/ Vera B. Lindeburg
1998 San Carlos Citizen of the Year

/s/ Jeff Ira, CPA
Certified Public Accountant

/s/ Eugenia Cloud (Jean) (Mrs Roy N. Cloud)
Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC)

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 2002-03.

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 2008-09.

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 2008-09.

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.

a. Authorization of Bonded Indebtedness, School Facilities Projects

Shall the Sequoia Union High School District be authorized to incur bonded indebtedness in the principal amount of $88 million to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects in the District listed in the following Bond Project List, subject to all of the accountability requirements specified below?

SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROJECT LIST
(The District's schools include: Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, Redwood, Sequoia, and Woodside)

(l) To modernize existing facilities at all sites as needed including: upgrade electrical power and data lines for classroom technology; replace blackout curtains, replace flooring; replace furniture and cabinetry; paint; improve heating and ventilation systems; and provide Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility to classrooms and restrooms.

(2) To upgrade older buildings at all sites as needed including: main water systems, fire water systems, main power systems, secondary power systems, drainage systems, sewer systems, data, cable and phone systems, fire alarm and security systems, gas lines, safety lighting, and site landscaping and road repairs.

(3) To renovate Carrington Hall Auditorium and support a high tech facility at Sequoia High School.

(4) To construct new performing arts facilities and classrooms at Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, and Woodside.

(5) To modify and/or install energy efficient mechanical and power systems to maximize energy savings at all sites as needed. These would include upgraded lighting systems, solar and voltaic panels for heating and power generation, insulation, modification and/or replacement of windows, and expanded energy management systems.

(6) To add new facilities resulting in additional classroom space (approximately 30 classrooms districtwide) for future growth and class size reduction.

(7) To repair termite and dry rot damage in older buildings, remove asbestos, and complete seismic upgrades for protection from earthquakes at all sites as needed.

(8) To renovate classrooms/library-media centers, restrooms, and support areas at all sites as needed; upgrade or replace computers, and other equipment districtwide; convert existing facilities as appropriate to accommodate additional science classrooms, and create areas at the high schools where parents and other volunteers can tutor students.

(9) To rent or construct and to install or remove temporary classrooms (including relocatables) as needed to house students displaced during construction.

(10) To upgrade and construct gymnasiums and related facilities at Menlo-Atherton and Carlmont; replace swimming pool at Carlmont; upgrade fields and tracks at all sites as needed.

Voters interested in more specific project information are invited to visit http://www.seq.org.

b. Accountability Requirements: The following provisions are hereby made a part of this proposition specifically in order to comply 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):

(1) The Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the foregoing list of school facilities projects.

(2) Proceeds from the sale of bonds issued pursuant to the authorization of this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping thereof, 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 Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds, but the Board cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. Certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources have not yet been secured.

(3) The 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 the Bond Project List.

(4) The Board shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the proceeds of sale of the bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List.

(5) Upon approval of this proposition, and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board shall take such action as may be necessary to establish an account for the deposit of the proceeds of the sale of bonds. For so 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, 2002, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in such year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. Said report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period, as the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

c. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. If this proposition is approved by the voters, pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 et seq., the Board shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to ensure bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. If this proposition is approved, this committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board.

d. Further Specifications. All of the purposes enumerated in the foregoing shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100. Pursuant to Government Code Section 53410, all the enumerated purposes in the foregoing shall constitute the specific single purpose of the bonds proposed to be issued and sold, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purpose. The bonds proposed to be issued and sold shall bear interest at a rate per annum not exceeding the statutory maximum, payable at the time or times permitted by law, and the number of years the whole or any part of the bonds are to run shall not exceed 30 years from the date of the bonds or the date of any series thereof.