Fremont Union High School District Bond Issue, Measure K (November 2014)

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A Fremont Union High School District Bond Issue, Measure K ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Fremont Union High School District in Santa Clara County, California. It was approved.

Measure K authorized the issuance of $295 million in bonds to benefit the Fremont Union High School District. The funds were meant to be used to build new classrooms and facilities to avoid overcrowding; upgrade science labs and technology; update computer network capability and replace, acquire, construct and renovate school facilities.

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

Election results

Fremont Union High School District, Measure K
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		31,982	64.84%
No		17,344	35.16%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To avoid overcrowding at Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook and Monta Vista High Schools by building the new classrooms and facilities needed to serve a growing student population, updating computer network capability and science labs, upgrading classroom computers and technology, and replacing, acquiring, constructing and renovating school facilities shall the Fremont Union High School District issue $295 million in bonds at interest rates within the legal limit with annual audits and all expenditures monitored by an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure K:

“	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 for the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities. The Board of Trustees (Board) of the Fremont Union High School District (District) proposes issuing bonds in the amount of up to $295,000,000. As identified in the measure, bond proceeds would be used for purposes including, but not limited to: (1) building new classrooms and facilities to serve a growing student population; (2) updating computer network capability and science labs; (3) upgrading classroom computers and technology; and (4) replacing, acquiring, constructing and renovating school facilities. 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 K. The District's estimate of the maximum tax rate to be levied to fund the proposed bonds during each fiscal year is $21.00 per $100,000 of assessed value. This includes the fiscal year after the initial sale of the bonds (2014-2015), and the fiscal year after the final sale of the bonds (2019-2020). Measure K 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 $295,000,000 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 $295,000,000 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

• Lawrence E. Stone, Santa Clara County Assessor
• Dianne McKenna, Former Mayor of Sunnyvale
• Orrin Mahoney, Cupertino Councilmember and Former Mayor
• Steven Ting, Community Leader
• Anjali Kausar, Cupertino Union School District Board Member

Arguments

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

“	Measure K is an investment in the new classrooms and facilities at Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook and Monta Vista High Schools needed to avoid overcrowding. Measure K will raise the local bond funds needed to expand and renovate our local high schools to serve a growing student population. Measure K funds will be used to: Build the 51 new classrooms needed to serve an expected student population increase of approximately 1,800 students; Avoid overcrowded school buildings and classrooms; Replace funds no longer provided by the state to keep all classrooms and buildings in good repair; Provide students with greater access to classroom computers and technology; Upgrade and improve the computer networks that connect local classrooms to each other and to research materials from around the world; Improve building security, making each school safer for students and teachers; Upgrade and improve science labs; Repair, modernize and replace older classrooms and facilities so they can continue to serve local students. Measure K provides for strict accountability. The use of Measure K funds will be audited annually and reviewed by an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. All Measure K funds will be spent locally to benefit this and many future generations of high school students. There is a cost and it is reasonable. Measure K will cost property owners an annual average of $21 per $100,000 of assessed–not market–value. Join us in making an investment that will maintain and strengthen the value of all the homes and businesses in the community. Join us in making an investment in the outstanding high schools that serve our community: Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook and Monta Vista. Please join us in voting Yes on Measure K.	”
—Lawrence E. Stone, Dianne McKenna, Orrin Mahoney, Steven Ting and Anjali Kausar

Opposition

Opponents

• Mark W.A. Hinkle, President: Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
• Edward Leo Wimmers, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
• Brian S. Darby, District Resident
• Steven B. Haug, Treasurer Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association

Arguments

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

“	In 1998, voters approved Fremont Union High School District's $144,000,000 bond issue for "safety standards and repairs." Just 6 years ago, voters approved another $198,000,000 loan to "construct new schools" and "upgrade high school technology." Today, Fremont Union High School District is saying they need even more debt, to "construct new classrooms." 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 this measure's projects. Budgets demonstrate priorities. Fremont Union High School District is saying that every dollar spent today is for something they consider more important than "updating computer network capability and science lab" and "upgrading classroom computers." We've already entrusted them with $342,000,000 to upgrade facilities, and now they want another $295,000,000 (burdening us with another 25-30 years of interest!)...to do the same thing all over again. To support enrollment that's increased by only 175 students since school year 2011-12. When you buy a computer that's going to last for 3-5 years, do you take out a 25-year loan to pay for it? No! But, that's what Fremont Union High School District wants to do. School bonds are like home mortgages: they must be paid back, in full. Plus lots of interest. Which means: lots of tax dollars that won't go to teachers, textbooks, computers, maintenance. Interest payments go to lenders. A 3% interest rate on $298,000,000 means paying $8,940,000 per year— for 25-30 years. Total cost=$521,500,000 (principal + interest)—that's if it runs only 25 years. Over HALF A BILLION TAX DOLLARS. Making big payments to lenders, for over two decades—is this the best use of our local tax dollars? If your answer is "NO," please vote NO on Measure K. Like us, you can be for schools, for students, for teachers, and against Measure K.	”
—Mark W.A. Hinkle, Edward Leo Wimmers, Brian S. Darby and Steven B. Haug

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