League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure I Bond West Sonoma County Union High School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 15,375 / 67.4% Yes votes ...... 7,439 / 32.6% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure I

Arguments Against Measure I

The importance and value of quality schools are well known. From higher achieving students and training for future jobs to greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. While Analy and El Molino High Schools have excelled as California Distinguished Schools, many classrooms and school facilities in the West Sonoma County Union High School District are outdated and inadequate to provide students with the learning environments they deserve. Our students need your yes vote on Measure I! While schools have been well maintained, some facilities are nearly 50 years old. Many classrooms do not meet current energy-efficiency standards, computer facilities are outdated, and the infrastructure is inadequate to provide a 21st century education. Investing in our high schools will improve the quality of education for local students. If passed, Measure I will fund critical improvements to West Sonoma County high school facilities without increasing the current tax rate. Measure I will enable local high schools to install solar panels, increase energy efficiency, reduce water usage, and make other "green" improvements; modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; upgrade technology; and make health, safety, and handicapped accessibility improvements. Measure I makes financial sense and protects taxpayers by generating the funds needed without increasing current tax rates. By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee. All Measure I bond funds must be spent locally, and cannot be taken by the State. The funds can only be used to renovate and upgrade facilities in local high schools, not for instructional salaries. Measure I upgrades and renovates old and inadequate classrooms and facilities, improves the education of West Sonoma County students, and maintains the quality of our communities. That's something we can all support. Please join us and vote yes on Measure I! s/ Sarah Glade Gurney Mayor of Sebastopol s/ Dr. James S. Walton Engineer/Scientist/Entrepreneur s/ Terence Kelley Sebastopol Resident s/ Herman J. Hernandez Realtor s/ John Balletto Presdient, Balletto Vineyards Rebuttal to Arguments For The importance of education is not what's at issue here. The Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association supports public education, but we think taxpayers have a right to expect school officials to use taxpayer provided resources prudently and efficiently. This bond measure does neither. If bond proceeds fund energy efficiency installations that help reduce energy bills, and those savings are not used to repay the bonds, those savings will be used to create more money available for the school's general funds. Since 80% of general fund budgets typically pay for salaries, the bond proceeds will be used to support higher salaries. One of the stated uses of bond proceeds is technology upgrades and equipment. With the rapid pace of technological development most technology equipment has a short useful life before its out dated. Even being generous and assuming a five year life, taxpayers will be paying for these improvements long after they have been retired to the landfill. Issuance of bonds usually is sign of failure of the district to provide a financial plan to maintain and replace aging buildings. Prudent school officials will have set aside funds in a reserve so that they will have the money to upgrade building systems and replace things like roofs. Taxpayers should not reward those officials who have allocated their entire budget to higher salaries, failing to set aside reserves for predictable maintenance/replacement needs. SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Jack Atkin, President s/ Fred Levin, Executive Director

We suggest taxpayers start by asking why the West Sonoma High School District needs to borrow money and raise taxes to perform predictable maintenance and replacement of major building components. When a school district proposes a bond it's usually a sign of failure to plan adequately and to prudently manage the finances of the District. The fact that a roof and other major building components do not last forever should surprise no one. Providing for a sound roof, functioning heating system and other elements of the physical plant should be every bit as much a part of the annual budgeting as staff salaries and utility bills. Because roofs are not replaced every year, a portion of the replacement cost should be placed in a dedicated replacement reserve fund each year so that funds will be available when the need does arise. Without an adequately funded reserve only three things can happen, and they are all bad; the District must defer maintenance, take funds from educational programs for building maintenance or raise taxes (issue bonds). The Sonoma County Taxpayers' Association has been and continues to be a strong supporter of public education. However, taxpayers have a right to expect the officials who manage our public schools to be prudent managers of the taxpayer resources accorded them. A District that has not made adequate plans nor maintained a replacement reserve fund, and has to resort to raising taxes has not met this basic requirement for prudent management. This bond proposal is a red flag suggesting the management practices at the West Sonoma High School District need to be modified to regain taxpayers' confidence, before they ask for more of our money. We recommend a No vote on Measure I. SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Jack Atkin, President s/ Fred Levin, Executive Director Rebuttal to Arguments Against Updated and modern classrooms are critical to a quality education and maintaining a quality community in the 21st century. West County voters know what is best for West County schools. Don't be misled by the argument against Measure I. Here are the facts. Fact: The State requires schools invest at least 3% of their annual budget in facility maintenance, which West County high schools have done every year. The State has drastically cut school funding by over 20% so that the funds needed to improve our schools far surpass state funding. Fact: Measure I will not increase taxes! Instead, it will extend the current tax rate of $11.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation that we are currently paying. Fact: Not only will Measure I improve classrooms and facilities but Measure I will make our schools energy efficient by installing solar panels. Measure I will cut energy costs, which will put money back into classrooms. Fact: Measure I will improve the quality of education by modernizing, repairing, and renovating outdated classrooms and facilities. Having access to computers and modern technology as well as upgraded and modern schools gives our local students the best chance to succeed. Vote based on facts. Join Dale Dougherty, Publisher of Make Magazine; West Sonoma County high school alumni Dan Davis, Mia Barbieri DelPrete, Jeanne Fernandes, Harvey Henningsen, Pete Hill, and Greg Jacobs; Teen Counseling Project member Julie Smith, and leaders across West Sonoma County in supporting Measure I! s/ Linda Maloney Parent s/ Chip (James) Castleberry Analy Alumnus, educator s/ Elaine Carlson El Molino Boosters President s/ Lisa L. Gygax Attorney at Law s/ Diana Rich Director, Sebastopol Community Center