Evergreen School District Bond Issue, Measure M (November 2014)

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An Evergreen School District Bond Issue, Measure M ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Evergreen School District in Santa Clara County, California. It was approved.

Measure M authorized the issuance of $100 million in bonds to benefit Evergreen School District. The funds were meant to upgrade classrooms and technology; repair electrical systems, roofs and plumbing; increase campus security and improve energy efficiency.

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

Election results

Evergreen School District, Measure M
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		14,002	67.51%
No		6,738	32.49%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To provide a safe, modern learning environment that supports academic achievement by upgrading and constructing classrooms and hands-on science and technology labs that meet modern academic and safety standards, repairing electrical systems, aging roofs, plumbing and restrooms, increasing campus security and improving overall energy efficiency, shall the Evergreen School District issue $100 million of bonds at legal interest rates, with citizen’s oversight, independent audits, and no money district administrator salaries or Sacramento?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure M:

“	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 Evergreen School District (District) proposes issuing bonds in the amount of $100,000,000. As identified in the measure, bond proceeds would be used for purposes including, but not limited to, the following: (1) upgrading and constructing classrooms and technology labs that meet modern academic safety standards; (2) repairing electrical systems, aging roofs, plumbing and restrooms; and (3) increasing campus security and improving overall energy efficiency. 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 M. The District's estimate of the maximum tax rate to be levied to fund the proposed bonds during each fiscal year is $30.00 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 (2020-2021). Measure M 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 $100,000,000 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 $100,000,000 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

• Sylvia Alvarez, President, Evergreen School District Board of Trustees
• Brian Wheatley, President, Evergreen Teachers Association
• Raelene De Santiago, President, PTA Montgomery School
• Bette Samdahl, Resident, Villages
• Jeremy Barousse, President, District 8 Community Round Table

Arguments

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

“	Evergreen School District is one of the top performing districts in Santa Clara County. All eighteen of our schools have earned the prestigious California Distinguished School Award. Our schools are a point of pride in our community. Measure M ensures our children have safe, modern schools. It upgrades and constructs school classrooms, restores failing heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems with modern systems; repairs aging roofs, and renovates deteriorating restrooms. Today's students need to be prepared for tomorrow's jobs. Measure M provides hands on science and technology labs, providing our children the solid academic background they need to thrive in the future. Measure M enhances school safety. It improves outdated fire safety measures, upgrades outdoor security lighting, and repairs and improves fields and playgrounds to make them safer for our children. Measure M saves money. By replacing old windows, lights, and heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient alternatives that meet current standards of environmental sustainability, Evergreen schools could save as much as $600,000 per year, money that can instead be put back into classrooms. High quality public schools in our neighborhoods protect property values and provide for a strong community. Measure M is a smart investment in our neighborhoods. It helps ensure our schools stay competitive with surrounding communities like Palo Alto, Los Gatos and Cupertino. Measure M has built in taxpayer protections to ensure funds are spent wisely and appropriately. It requires annual audits, a citizen's oversight committee and absolutely no money can be used for administrators' salaries. Measure M is our opportunity to ensure that Evergreen schools remain the pride of our neighborhoods and are world class facilities where our children receive a world class education. Our students deserve our support. Vote Yes on Measure M.	”
—Sylvia Alvarez, Brian Wheatley, Raelene De Santiago, Bette Samdahl and Jeremy Barousse

Opposition

Opponents

• Mark W.A. Hinkle, President: Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
• Edward Leo Wimmers, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

Arguments

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

“	In 1997, voters approved Evergreen School District's $60 million bond issue for "construction & improvements." Then, just 8 years ago, voters approved another $150 million to "construct new schools" and "upgrade facilities." Today, student enrollment is dropping, yet the District wants another $100 million to "construct classroom(s)." What is Evergreen School District really saying? When school boards ask our permission to go into debt with bond measures like these, they're admitting that what they're spending our tax dollars on, now, is more important than the projects in this ballot measure. Budgets reflect priorities. Evergreen School District is saying that every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than to "provide a safe, modern learning environment" and replace "aging roofs." Do you agree? They have already been entrusted with $210 million to upgrade facilities, and now they want another $100 million (saddling us with another 25-30 years of interest!)...to do the same thing all over again. Meanwhile, student enrollment keeps dropping. Are school buildings constructed so poorly that they need new roofs every 8 years? School bonds are like home mortgages, in that they have to be paid back, in full, plus interest. Lots of interest. These are tax dollars that won't go to teachers, library books, computers, or maintenance. Interest payments go to lenders. A 3% interest rate on $100,000,000 means paying $3,000,000 per year— every year for 25-30 years. Total cost=$175,000,000 (principal + interest)—and that's if it runs only 25 years. Making big payments to lenders, for more than two decades—is that the best use of our local tax dollars? If you answer "no," please vote NO on Measure M. Like us, you can be for schools, for students, for teachers, but against Measure M.	”
—Mark W.A. Hinkle and Edward Leo Wimmers

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