Pass: 2,312 / 68.0% Yes votes ...... 1,089 / 32.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Bonds Yes ________ Bonds No _________

The Board of Trustees of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District acting as the Legislative Body of the Redwood Shores School Facilities Improvement District has proposed this measure which would authorize the Improvement District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $25 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature 25 years or less.

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 has listed the specified purposes of the bonds to acquire and improve land, acquire and construct and equip classrooms, school facilities, labs and libraries.

The measure requires the Improvement 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 Improvement District Board 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 Redwood Shores School Facilities Improvement District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $25 million to: acquire and improve land, acquire, construct and equip classrooms, school facilities, labs and libraries.

A "no" vote would preclude Redwood Shores School Facilities Improvement District from issuing bonds of up to $25 million.

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

Since Sandpiper opened in 1997, the number of schoolage children in the Shores has risen dramatically. There isn't enough classroom space for all Shores students and the problem will worsen as children who already live here reach school age.

Sandpiper was designed for 450 students but has held over 520 for the last few years. As a result, there's no dedicated science lab or music room for instruction since all available space is used for classrooms. Larger class sizes mean less individual attention from teachers. Overcrowding impacts all Sandpiper students + and even worse, many neighborhood students can't attend our neighborhood school since there is no room for them.

Over 100 Shores children cannot attend Sandpiper this year. This problem will worsen: in four years, the Shores will have 900 elementaryaged children and over 400 of them + enough to fill an entire school + will be denied access to Sandpiper.

Measure C solves these problems by adding a new school in Redwood Shores.

All Shores students will have a neighborhood school and benefit from smaller class sizes, more individual attention and more parental and community involvement.

All funds will be used to construct a new school in Redwood Shores. No funds can be taken by the state. An independent citizen oversight committee will review all spending and by law the annual cost for homeowners cannot surpass $30 per $100,000 assessed value over the life of the bonds.

Quality neighborhood schools are the backbone of our community and the foundation for strong property values. Many families move here for Sandpiper's quality education and neighborhood location. Hundreds of Shores neighbors are voting YES on Measure C.

Please join us!

Visit http://www.newshoresschool.org

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 $206,000 in revenue for the average class of
24.3 students, of which $70,000 was used to pay the teacher's salary and benefits. That left $136,000 per class for other spending, like new construction, if the District wanted to make that a priority. They have the revenue now. The trustees want a bond only so they don't have to do the politically uncomfortable work of setting priorities and working within a budget.

Vote `no'. They have enough money already.

• http://www.eddata. k12.ca.us/dev/District.asp

John J. Hickey Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County 8/18/05

Fred A Graham Parent 8/18/05

Harland Harrison 20 year Belmont resident 8/18/05

Christopher VA Schmidt Retired Computer Professional 8/18/05