East Side Union High School District Bond Issue, Measure I (November 2014)

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An East Side Union High School District Bond Issue, Measure I ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the East Side Union High School District in Santa Clara County, California. It was approved.

Measure I authorized the issuance of $113.2 million in bonds to benefit the East Side Union High School District. The bonds were meant to increase student computer access, upgrade educational software, keep pace with technological innovations and implement statewide testing requirements at several schools in the district.

A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of Measure I.

Election results

East Side Union High School District, Measure I
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		59.092	67.91%
No		27,922	32.09%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To increase student computer access; upgrade educational software; keep pace with 21st century technological innovations; and implement statewide testing requirements at Andrew Hill, Calero, Evergreen Valley, Foothill, Independence, James Lick, Mt. Pleasant, Oak Grove, Piedmont Hills, Santa Teresa, Silver Creek, Yerba Buena, W.C. Overfelt, Adult-Ed, alternative and District charter schools; shall East Side Union High School District issue $113,200,000 of bonds with rates below legal limits, independent citizen oversight, and no funds for administrators or use by the State?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure I:

“	Upon approval of 55% of the votes cast by voters in an election and subject to specified accountability measures, California law permits school districts to issue bonds, secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property within a district, for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities. The Board of Trustees (Board) of the East Side Union High School District (District) proposes issuing bonds in the amount of $113,200,000. As identified in the measure, bond proceeds would be used for purposes including, but not limited to the following: (1) increasing computer access; (2) upgrading educational software; (3) keeping pace with 21st century technological innovations; and (4) implementing statewide testing requirements at Andrew Hill, Calero, Evergreen Valley, Foothill, Independence, James Lick, Mt. Pleasant, Oak Grove, Piedmont Hills, Santa Teresa, Silver Creek, Yerba Buena and W. C. Overfelt adult, alternative and District charter schools. A detailed list of projects and allowed expenditures is included within the full text of the measure. The District’s resolution authorizing the sale and issuance of bonds does not include information about any other District debt obligations that may exist. The California Constitution provides that proceeds of school district bond measures cannot be used for teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses, and requires independent annual performance and financial audits. State law requires the establishment of an independent citizens’ oversight committee for ensuring that bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities on the bond project list included in Measure I. The District's estimate of the maximum tax rate to be levied to fund the proposed bond issue during each fiscal year is $9.00 per $100,000 of assessed value. This includes the fiscal year after the initial sale of the bonds (2015-2016), and the fiscal year after the final sale of the bonds (2030-2031). Measure I was placed on the ballot by the Board. A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds in the amount of up to $113,200,000 to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within the District. A "no" vote is a vote to not authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds in the amount of up to $113,200,000 to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within the District.	”
—Orry P. Korb, County Counsel and Susan Swain, Lead Deputy County Counsel

Support

Supporters

• Jorge L. Titinger, President & Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Graphics International Corp.
• Josue Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council
• Jethroe Moore, II, President, San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP
• Thanh T. Bui, President, East Side Vietnamese Parents Association
• Rose Amador-LeBeau, Chief Executive Officer/President, Center for Training and Careers

Arguments

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure I:

“	Measure I will allow East Side Union High School District to keep pace with today's rapidly changing educational technology while saving taxpayers millions of dollars in reduced borrowing costs. In today's world, it is critical that our children learn how to use and master modern technology. However, statewide funding for classroom technology has simply not kept pace with the educational needs of our children. Measure I solves this problem by providing a locally controlled source of technology funding, allowing our students to thrive in today's marketplace and compete in the economy of tomorrow. In addition, Measure I makes financial sense. By using a series of short-term low-interest bonds, over $50 million of additional funds will be available for local school technology projects. Measure I improves school technology by: Increasing student access to computers Complying with statewide technology requirements for testing and learning Upgrading educational software throughout the District Installing District-wide internet access to be used by students for homework and academics Measure I protects taxpayers by: Funding technology with short-term bonds so taxpayers won't be required to make payments for equipment no longer in use Creating an independent citizen's oversight committee to review and annually audit all expenditures Guaranteeing that funds are spent locally and not taken by theState and spent elsewhere Measure I provides an ongoing source of affordable funds for classroom computers, internet infrastructure, and other technological innovations for every school in the District, including Andrew Hill, Calero, Evergreen Valley, Foothill, Independence, James Lick, Mt. Pleasant, Oak Grove, Piedmont Hills, Santa Teresa, Silver Creek, Yerba Buena, W.C. Overfelt, Adult-Ed, alternative and District public-charter schools.	”
—Jorge L. Titinger, Josue Garcia, Jethroe Moore, II, Thanh T. Bui, President and Rose Amador-LeBeau

Opposition

Opponents

• Mark W.A. Hinkle, President: Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
• Edward Leo Wimmers, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
• Dale Warner, District Resident
• Elizabeth C. Brierly, District Homeower/Resident

Arguments

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure I:

“	When school boards put bond measures like Measure I before the voters, they are admitting that 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. The East Side Union High School District budget is saying every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than "21st century technological innovations". Do you agree? The District wants to replace old-fashioned, and often out-of-date, textbooks with laptops and educational software, such as Ebooks. Sounds great, doesn't it? But, if the district isn't spending money on expensive textbooks, why can't those savings be used to update technology for both teachers and students? What the district wants to do is dazzle you with computer technology on the one hand, but then quietly take the savings and redirect that to teacher and administration salaries and benefits. When you buy a computer that's going to last for 3-5 years, do you take out a 3-5 year loan to pay for it? No? But, that's what the district wants to do. School bonds are much like mortgages. They have to be paid back, in full, plus interest. Lots and lots of interest. Those interest payments don't go to teachers, library books, computers, maintenance, etc. Also, those funds will be used to implement the very unpopular "Common Core" testing scheme forced on school districts by the Federal government. Is this the best use of your tax dollars? If you disagree, please vote NO on Measure I. You can be for schools, for students, and against Measure I.	”
—Mark W.A. Hinkle, Edward Leo Wimmers, Dale Warner and Elizabeth C. Brierly

See also

• Local school bonds on the ballot
• Santa Clara County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office website