League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure M Bond Twin Hills Union School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 1,975 / 64.8% Yes votes ...... 1,071 / 35.2% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure M

Arguments Against Measure M

In Twin Hills Union School District, schools are the center of our community. We all know that the schools provide our children with a quality education. The District successfully partners with dedicated teachers and involved parents to provide each student with the education they need and deserve. However, due to the State's lack of funding, we now need to re-invest in our schools so they continue to provide a quality education. Measure "M" will improve our schools and save money better spent in the classroom without increasing taxes. Measure "M" will modernize and repair facilities to make our classrooms comparable to neighboring schools and improve our libraries. It will eliminate existing facility leases that would free up more funding to retain and attract qualified teachers and programs. And it will provide solar and energy improvements to reduce annual operating costs and put more money in the classroom + where it belongs. As taxpayers, we know it is crucial to have high quality local public schools with adequate facilities. Measure "M" makes financial sense. It will provide the local match for $1 million in State aid, reduce the impact of increasing energy costs, and save money to retain and attract qualified teachers and programs, without increasing current tax rates. By law, Measure "M" requires taxpayer safeguards, including independent performance and financial audits and an independent citizens' oversight committee of senior citizens, taxpayer advocates, local business owners and parents to ensure funds are only used for voter-approved projects. Join senior citizens, business owners, parents and teachers and support Twin Hills schools! On Tuesday, November 2nd, vote Yes on Measure "M"! s/ Maben Rainwater Board President THUSD s/ Les Crawford s/ Michelle Carreras Parent, Little League President s/ John Dierke Retired Professor, Gentleman Farmer s/ Teresa Balletto Parent, Vineyard & Winery Owner 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. This bond represents a tax increase. The District's statement that the measure does not increase taxes is simply false. SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Jack Atkin, President s/ Fred Levin, Executive Director

We suggest taxpayers start by asking why the Twin Hills 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 Twin Hills 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 M. SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Jack Atkin, President s/ Fred Levin, Executive Director Rebuttal to Arguments Against Do not be misled. Measure "M" is about our children, their teachers and our schools. Measure "M" will improve Twin Hills schools and save money better spent in the classroom without increasing taxes. Energy costs are increasing as State funding is decreasing. Measure "M" will save money and put it back in the classroom by making solar and other renewable energy improvements. In the last three years, the State has cut $1 million from Twin Hills schools. Teacher salaries are among the lowest in the County and many critical educational programs are at risk of being reduced or removed. Measure "M" will provide additional funding to attract and retain quality teachers And maintain educational programs by eliminating existing facility leases. We need a local source of funding to modernize Twin Hills schools and provide the computers and technology that are increasingly important for our children's education. Measure "M" will repair and modernize our schools, including improving student access to computers and classroom technology, to improve future academic and employment success. Good schools attract families, add to our local economy and are the center of our community. We now need to re-invest in our schools so they continue to provide a quality education Without increasing taxes. Vote Yes on Measure "M"! s/ Maben Rainwater Board President THUSD s/ Les Crawford District Superintendent THUSD s/ Michelle Carreras Parent, Little League President s/ John Dierke Retired Professor, Gentleman Farmer s/ Teresa Balletto Parent, Vineyard & Winery Owner