Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond Proposition, Measure I (November 2014)

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A Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond Proposition, Measure I ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District in Orange County, California. It was approved.

Upon approval, Measure I authorized the district to increase its debt by $175 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. District officials estimated a property tax rate of $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value would be required to repay these bonds.

A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of this measure.

Election results

Orange County, Measure I
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		23,257	59.0%
No		16,191	41.0%

Election results via: Orange County Registrar of Voters

Text of measure

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for this measure:

“	Approval of the measure would authorize the Board of Trustees of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (“District”) to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $175,000,000. The California Constitution provides that school districts may issue general obligation bonds for the 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, with the approval of 55% of the voters of the district, voting at an election for that purpose. The measure provides that funds received from the sale of the bonds shall be expended only on the specific high school improvement projects listed in the measure, including upgrading and constructing career technical education facilities, visual and performing arts facilities and science labs; upgrading classrooms, libraries, kitchens, cafeterias and administrative and support facilities; upgrading and constructing aquatics facilities, gymnasiums, tracks, sports fields, tennis courts and baseball/softball fields; upgrading network infrastructure; upgrading roofing; upgrading HVAC, plumbing, electrical and lighting systems; improving disability access; improving energy efficiency; upgrading security and safety systems; and upgrading landscaping and hardscapes. The measure provides that a citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended. In addition, annual performance and financial audits will be conducted. The measure further provides that bond proceeds will not be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. Approval of this measure will also authorize the District to levy an ad valorem tax on the assessed value of real property within the District by an amount needed to pay the principal and interest on these bonds in each year that the bonds are outstanding. The Tax Rate Statement for the measure in this sample ballot pamphlet reflects the District’s best estimates, based upon currently available data and projections, of the property tax rates required to service the bonds. If 55% of the voters of the District voting on the measure vote yes, the District will be authorized to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $175,000,000 and levy the related taxes as estimated in the Tax Rate Statement. A no vote on this measure will disapprove the issuance of the bonds and the levy of the taxes for such bonded indebtedness. The measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the District. Approval of Measure I does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under Measure I will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure I. The District’s proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.	”
—Orange County Counsel

Fullerton Joint Union High School District is located in Orange County, California.

Full text

The full text of the measure and a project list for the bond money is available here.

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of this measure:

• Jane Williams, former owner of the La Habra Journal
• Rose Espinoza, La Habra City Council Member
• Doug Chaffee, Fullerton Mayor

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of this measure:

“	Measure I is critical: Local graduates require 21st-century technology skills and a solid background in science and math for success in college and to compete for good jobs Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting the quality of our schools, the quality of life in our community and the value of our homes is a wise investment Out of over 22,000 public high schools in the nation, our local high schools—Buena Park, Fullerton Union, La Habra, Sonora, Sunny Hills and Troy—rank in the top 7% and have earned many national and state awards. However, each was built over 50 years ago and requires critical upgrades. Measure I will keep our high schools among the best in the State and nation. No District funds exist to address our local schools’ facility needs. Measure I will provide locally controlled funding for safety improvements and to accommodate 21st-century instruction. Vote Yes on I: Provide facilities and equipment needed for career and technology education Upgrade classrooms, science labs, libraries, and school facilities Repair leaky roofs, floors, plumbing, heating/ventilation and electrical systems Improve arts and athletics facilities Upgrade technology infrastructure accommodate 21st-century instruction Improve energy efficiency to reduce utility costs Upgrade safety and security systems Yes on I will help our high schools qualify for millions in available State matching money that will otherwise go to other districts. Measure I requires strict taxpayer protections: No funds will be used for administrators’ salaries, pensions or benefits All funds will stay local and cannot be taken away by the State or used for other purposes Independent citizen oversight, mandatory audits and a detailed project list will ensure funds are spent as promised Measure I meets the Orange County Taxpayers Association school bond criteria. Please vote YES on Measure I.	”
—Jane Williams, Rose Espinoza and Doug Chaffee

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official arguments in opposition to this measure:

• Jack Dean, president of the Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers (FACT)
• Bruce W. Whitaker, Fullerton City Council Member
• William Hinz, governing board member of the Lowell Joint School District
• Zonya Townsend, educator and registered nurse

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to this measure:

“	Measure I proposes a $175,000,000 bond. A bond is like a government credit card, where your taxes are raised to pay off that credit card. Measure I asks voters to put $175,000,000 on a credit card. In other words, Measure I is a $175,000,000 tax hike! The Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD) is already projecting a $5,000,000 deficit in its 2014-15 budget. Seven times in the last four years, FJUHSD held a certification that it “may not meet its financial obligations for the current or two subsequent fiscal years,” according to California’s Department of Education. In 2002, we approved a $67,940,000 bond for FJUHSD. Measure l is almost twice the size of that bond! We’re still paying for the 2002 bond, and now they want us to approve a bigger one? Not only that, in 2002, we approved a $239,000,000 bond for the North Orange County Community College District. Now, they have a $574,000,000 bond on this same ballot, Measure J. How many bonds are we supposed to pay for? Just two years ago, California voters approved Proposition 30. We were promised “billions in new funding for our schools” from Proposition 30. Proposition 30 raised the sales tax and income tax. Measure I raises your property tax. What tax will they raise next? What does a property tax increase mean for you? Homeowners will pay more taxes Renters will see higher rent as landlords pass on the costs of higher taxes Struggling mom and pop businesses will pay higher rent as landlords pass on the costs of higher taxes Customers will see higher prices as businesses pass on the costs of higher taxes Fullerton, La Habra, Buena Park, La Habra Heights, Brea, La Palma, and Anaheim can’t afford another tax increase. Vote “No” on Measure I, the $175,000,000 tax hike!	”
—Jack Dean, Bruce W. Whitaker, William Hinz and Zonya Townsend

See also

• Local school bonds on the ballot
• School bond elections in California
• Orange County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Orange County Elections Office website