1,496 / 72.8% Yes votes ...... 559 / 27.2% 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 Portola Valley Elementary School District to issue bonds of up to $6 million to finance renovation and modernization of school facilities.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote would prevent Portola Valley Elementary School District from issuing bonds of up to $6 million.

This measure would authorize the Portola Valley Elementary School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $6 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: construct, furnish and equip two science labs; construct art, music and performing arts classrooms, and a special education classroom; improve buildings to comply with building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act; renovate and expand, furnish, equip multi-use room; renovate, furnish and equip current science room as general use class room; install and improve computer connections and technology access; improve lighting, safety railings, ramps; construct covered walkways and eating areas; site landscaping; renovate soccer fields and baseball diamond.

The measure requires the Portola Valley Elementary 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 Portola Valley Elementary School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $6 million to: construct, furnish and equip two science labs, art music and performing arts classrooms, and a special education classroom; improve buildings to comply with building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act; renovate and expand, furnish, equip multi-use room; renovate, furnish and equip current science room as general use class room; install and improve computer connections and technology access; improve lighting, safety railings, ramps; construct covered walkways and eating areas; site landscaping; renovate soccer fields and baseball diamond.

A "no" vote would prevent Portola Valley Elementary School District from issuing bonds of up to $6 million.

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

Candidates/Ballot Measures Forum

Monday, October 8, 7:00 - 8:00 pm for Portola Valley Twon Council candidates, 8:00-8:30 pm for ballot measures, The Sequoias, 501 Portola Road, Portola Valley

Improving the quality of education is an important goal for our community. District residents have supported that goal by voting to update and modernize our local schools - Ormondale and Corte Madera.

Yet, both schools continue to show their age and physical limitations hindering the ability to provide an all-around, comprehensive and quality education. These schools were built almost 50 years ago. Enrollment continues to climb and the reduction in class sizes, while an educational benefit, means additional classrooms and facilities are needed to provide the best education possible.

Measure J will provide the Portola Valley School District funds to fully modernize and update Ormondale and Corte Madera Schools. Bond funds will be used, among other improvements, to:

• Construct new science labs and special education classrooms;
• Renovate current science classrooms;
• Construct classrooms for art, music and performing arts classes;
• Finish classroom and building retrofits to make them fully accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Renovate an existing multi-purpose room to make it more functional;
• Install computer connections and technology access in new classrooms;
• Make classroom and school safety improvements.

Additionally, the Portola Valley School District has a strong history of being fiscally responsible. The bond costs for these improvements have been minimized and are tax deductible. Property values will be enhanced. Also, a Citizen's Oversight Committee will review bond expenditures through the use of performance and financial audits.

Measure J is a reasonable and responsible investment in our community and in the education of our young people. We urge you to join us and a broad coalition of Portola Valley residents in voting Yes on Measure J and improving our schools.

/s/ L.W. Lane, Jr.
Retired Publisher, Sunset Magazine

/s/ Kirke W. Comstock
Mayor Portola Valley

/s/ Nancy Vian
Portola Valley Town Council Member

/s/ Brian Preston
Co-President P.V.S.F. Portola Valley Schools Foundation

/s/ Kathryn A Reavis
President, Board of Trustees

$3,081,699
$3,466,726
$3,477,324
$4,002,478
$4,405,800
$5,150,774
$5,149,013
$6,102,997

Regular property taxes ($3.6 million) - not including parcel taxes - account for more than the district's entire budget of 8 years ago. Enough is enough! It's time to give home owners a break.

After receiving almost $35 million during the last 8 years, the school's faculty should be happy with good wages, and the school's buildings should be in sparkling shape. If they're not, it's time to take a look at the management. The taxpayers have done their part.

-And there's not a thing on the district's wish list that can't be done with regular property taxes, careful spending, and a little bit of patience.

Note: Bond pushers always understate the yearly assessment by averaging tax rates from 30 years in the future. (Tax rates decline in future years in direct proportion to increases in assessed valuations.)

In practical terms, the average household would have to pay over $3,000 for this bond, over the next 30 years, no matter how you slice it.

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

/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 ...and what do you get? Boatloads of money.

This is a vote on decades of future interest payments, adding almost $6 million to the original cost of the bond. No, thanks.

The Bottom Line: Principal and interest payments would total almost $12 million. That's over $3,000 in new taxes per household, over the next 30 years - on top of what you pay now.

/s/ William Henderson
Business Owner

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

/s/ Christopher VA Schmidt
Retired Computer Professional

Measure J will provide funds to:

• Construct new science labs and special education classrooms;
• Renovate current science classrooms;
• Construct classrooms for art, music and performing arts;
• Finish classroom and building retrofits to make them fully handicap accessible;
• Install computer connections and technology access;
• Make safety improvements.

We support the continued investment in quality education for Portola Valley's children. We find it disturbing that people who don't even live in our community would oppose our local efforts to improve our schools. The residents who live here should decide these measures.

The physical condition of Portola Valley Schools is a reflection on the value we place on a child's education and our community. Not all of us have children in the local schools, but we all agree that better schools benefit everyone.

Please join a broad coalition of local residents, local homeowners, and local businesspeople in voting Yes on Measure J to improve our local schools.

/s/ Albert R. Schreck
Former President, Portola Valley School District Board

/s/ Michael Rissi
Bond Oversight Committee Chair

/s/ Barbara G. Seipp
Portola Valley School District Trustee

/s/ Hugh Cornish
Realtor

/s/ Mary L. Kiely
Educator and Co-President, Portola Valley Schools Foundation

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 0.0285 cents per $100 ($21.85 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2002-03.

2. 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 0.0285 cents per $100 ($21.85 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2002-03.

The best estimate of the average annual tax rate over the life of the bonds is .000774 cents per $100 ($7.74 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

[Voters should note that estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value, which could be more or less than the assessed value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors 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. 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 Portola Valley Elementary School District be authorized to incur bonded indebtedness in the principal amount of $6 million to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects in the District listed in the Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, subject to all of the accountability requirements specified below?

(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 list of school facilities projects contained in Exhibit A of this Resolution.

(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. Each project is assumed to include election and bond issuance costs, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, and a customary contingency for unforeseen construction costs. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed, and therefore the Board cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

(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 Exhibit A of this Resolution.

(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 Exhibit A of this Resolution.

(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 Exhibit A of this Resolution. 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.

(e) Project List. The bond project list attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and is incorporated herein, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the proposition.

Construction, furnishing and equipping of a new building to house two new science labs and special education classrooms at Corte Madera Middle School ("Corte Madera")

Construction, furnishing and equipping of new building at Corte Madera to house art, music and performing arts classrooms

Improvements required at each school to comply with existing local and State building codes, and to meet access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Renovation and expansion, furnishing and equipping of the existing multi-use room at Corte Madera

Install computer connections and technology access in new classrooms and make technology upgrades to existing classrooms

Improvements to enhance campus safety at each school, as needed, including: outdoor lighting; ramps and pathways; safety railings

Construct covered walkway at student loading zones at Ormondale Elementary School ("Ormondale")

Furnishing and equipping renovated and newly constructed buildings at both sites.

Construct covered eating areas at both school sites.

Site landscaping at both schools.

Renovation, furnishing and equipping of the current science classrooms at Corte Madera as general use classrooms.

Renovation of soccer fields at both school sites.

Renovation of baseball diamond at Corte Madera