League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Mateo County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure A School Bond Measure Sequoia Union High School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 22,995 / 65.6% Yes votes ...... 12,052 / 34.4% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure A

Arguments Against Measure A

Vote YES on A to continue providing a high quality education for neighborhood high school students. Our high schools build strong educational foundations in core academic subject areas and develop career and technical skills that set students on a path to future success in college and 21st century careers. To ensure that our local high schools continue offering a challenging, varied, and top quality curriculum as student enrollment grows, Measure A is critical now. Our high performing high school students have drawn families to our communities, causing a surge in student enrollment. Student enrollment has increased by 20 percent over the last 12 years and is projected to grow by another 20 percent in the next 7 years. To meet the growing demand for science classes and college requirements in core academic subjects as student enrollment increases, our schools require additional science labs and classrooms. Measure A will avoid school overcrowding, help protect our high schools' diverse curriculum, and ensure students can enroll in the classes they require. Vote Yes on A to provide additional classrooms and labs, as well as updated technology, to continue excellent academic programs as student enrollment grows, including: science, math, and other core academics career training and vocational programs advanced programs that prepare students for college and careers technology training for 21st century skills Measure A Requires Fiscal Accountability Measure A funds benefit all local high schools and cannot be taken away by the State by law, no funds can be used for administrators' salaries Measure A qualifies our high schools for future state matching funds Citizen oversight and annual audits are required, ensuring all funds are used for voter approved purposes. Join parents, teachers, and community leaders: Vote Yes on A to prepare local graduates to excel in college and our competitive economy. GreatSequoiaHighSchools.org /s/ Alicia Aguirre, Former Redwood City Mayor - Council Member /s/ John R. Violet, Belmont City Treasurer /s/ Linda Teutschel, San Carlos Citizen of the Year /s/ Deborah Stipek, Dean, Stanford Graduate School of Education Rebuttal to Arguments For When school boards put bond measures like Measure A before the voters, they are admitting that everything they are spending your tax dollars on now is more important than the projects for which this tax increase is being sought. Budgets show us priorities. Sequoia Union High School District says they want "to avoid overcrowding, provide updated classroom technology, labs, etc.". But are those priorities in their current budget? Answer: No. Do you agree with their priorities? Proponents want "technology training for 21st century skills." Would you take a computer class or buy a laptop computer and pay with a 25 year loan? No? But that's what Measure A's proponents are asking you to do. And this is on top of the $165,000,000 bond that voters passed in 2008 to provide a "ten-year technology fund for high schools". Is all that money already gone? What happened to that technology? And that was on top of 2004's $70,000,000 bond to "modernize, improve, expand facilities" within the district. Do you think buildings need to be updated every 10 years with a 25-year bond? And to top it off, the District is spending 141% more per student than the statewide average per the latest figures available at www.Ed-Data.k12.ca.us. Teachers in the district are making an average of $81,674/year versus the statewide average of $72,962 plus benefits (up to $23,078 extra). Sequoia Union High School District is spending irresponsibly. Vote NO on Measure A. /s/ Mark W.A. Hinkle, President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers' Association

When school boards put bond measures like Measure A before voters, they are admitting everything they are currently spending your tax dollars on now is more important than the projects for which this tax increase is being sought. Budgets set priorities. Sequoia Union High School District is saying every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than having "student safety" and "computer and information technology." Do you agree? The website www.ed-data.k12.ca.us shows at least 9,247 students in the district which means the bond expense is $28,657 per student NOT counting interest costs and repayment of principal and administration costs. When buying a home, truth in lending laws require you be informed about the real cost of buying a home. Shouldn't consumer laws apply to bond issues, too? For example: borrowing $265,000,000 and paying 3% interest for 25 years means annual payments of $15,079,920 in principal and interest for a total lifetime cost of $376,998,000 As a taxpayer, you deserved to know the full truth about Measure A. Instead of paying $15,079,920 (principal and interest) every year for "student safety", your educational dollars will be going to big banks, investment brokers, and other wealthy people to be used as a tax shelter. Is this the best use of your tax dollars? What's more important to you? 1. Spending $15,079,920 a year on building "safety" and "energy efficiency" 2. Spending $15,079,920 a year to fund tax shelters for big banks, investment brokers, and the rich. If you value children's health and safety more than funding tax shelters, vote NO on Measure A. For more information: http://www.svtaxpayers.org/Sequioa-High-Union /s/ Mark W.A. Hinkle President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers' Association Rebuttal to Arguments Against Unlike the author of the argument against Measure A, we believe that ensuring the successful futures of our local high school students is a top community priority. This rigid ideologue - who doesn't live in our community - has filed an argument against every school measure on the ballot in every recent major election. Our high schools educate nearly 10,000 students. Every one of them deserves an excellent public education as our community's future leaders. Currently each one of our comprehensive high schools is at or near capacity. With a 20% projected student enrollment increase in the next several years, our schools need Measure A now. Measure A will provide the additional classrooms, labs, and educational facilities to continue providing a diverse, well-rounded and quality education to the students in our neighborhoods. Science and 21st century technological skills are essential for success in today's competitive economy. Measure A provides additional science labs and updated technology to prepare students for the modern workplace. Measure A is targeted to our top priority: preparing all students for success in college and future careers. the state cannot take a single penny of Measure A funds Citizen oversight and annual audits ensure funds are spent wisely not one single penny can be used for administrators' salaries, pensions, and benefits By making our local high schools a priority, our entire community benefits. Good schools improve neighborhood safety and strengthen property values. We have our priorities straight. Join us and vote Yes on A. /s/ Jeff Gee Former Chairman of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce /s/ Laura Martinez, Mayor, City of East Palo Alto /s/ Don Horsley, Supervisor /s/ Christine Heaton, Sequoia Union High School District Bond Oversight Committee Member /s/ Rich Kelley, Woodside Business Leader