Los Altos School District Bond Issue, Measure N (November 2014)

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A Los Altos School District Bond Issue, Measure N ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Los Altos School District in Santa Clara County, California. It was approved.

Measure N authorized the issuance of $150 million in bonds to benefit the Los Altos School District. The funds were meant to expand and upgrade schools to avoid overcrowding; upgrade classrooms and labs to keep them safe, clean and in good repair; update technology; maximize energy efficiency and acquire, construct or equip classrooms and facilities.

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

Election results

Los Altos School District, Measure N
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		8,671	57.40%
No		6,435	42.60%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To accommodate growing student enrollment and avoid public elementary and junior high school overcrowding by expanding and upgrading schools, preserving quality small neighborhood schools, upgrading classrooms and labs to keep them safe, clean and in good repair, updating learning technology, maximizing energy efficiency and acquiring, constructing or equipping classrooms, facilities and sites, shall the Los Altos School District issue $150 million in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizens’ oversight, annual audits and no money for administrators’ salaries?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure N:

“	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 Los Altos School District (District) proposes issuing bonds in the amount of $150,000,000. As identified in the measure, bond proceeds would be used for purposes including, but not limited to: (1) expanding and upgrading schools; (2) preserving small neighborhood schools; (3) upgrading classrooms and labs to keep them safe, clean and in good repair; (4) update learning technology; (5) maximizing energy efficiency; and (6) acquiring, constructing or equipping classrooms, facilities and sites. 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 N. 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 (expected to occur in 2015-2016), and the fiscal year after the final sale of the bonds (2019-2020). Measure N 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 $150,000,000 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 $150,000,000 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

• Roy E. Lave, Executive Director Emeritus, Los Altos Community Foundation; Former Mayor, Los Altos
• Robin A. Abrams, Past President and Current Member, LASD Citizen's Advisory Committee for Finance
• Lawrence Chu, Sr., Owner, Chef Chu's Restaurant
• John Radford, Mayor, Los Altos Hills
• Nikki Selden, Los Altos Mountain View PTA Executive Vice-President, LASD Parent

Arguments

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

“	Vote YES on N to preserve excellent education and high-quality, small neighborhood schools in our community. Our award-winning elementary and junior high schools consistently rank in the top 1% of California public schools. Our small school model is a source of pride, attracting new families to our neighborhoods and protecting high property values for everyone. Due to our excellent schools, student enrollment has increased by 1,129 students in the last ten years--a level unsurpassed since the 1970's, when there were 12 school sites instead of the nine we have today. With a commitment to public input, the Los Altos School District enlisted diverse citizens' committees to analyze enrollment growth and facilities needs. Comprised of parents and teachers from all public schools, including the public charter school, and community members from each city in LASD, these groups provided critical input that is the foundation of Measure N. Measure N is a community-driven plan to accommodate growing student enrollment, without sacrificing the excellent education in local schools. Vote YES on N to protect academic excellence. Prevent overcrowding by providing additional classrooms and educational facilities to accommodate growing enrollment Make basic repairs to keep our schools safe, clean and wellmaintained Upgrade aging classrooms and science labs Improve safety and traffic flow around schools Update classroom technology to prepare students for futuresuccess Measure N includes important fiscal safeguards. Measure N will directly support our local elementary and junior high school students--not one penny can be taken by the state Independent citizens' oversight and annual audits ensure thatall funds are spent as promised No money can be used for administrators' salaries or benefits Measure N qualifies our schools for state matching funds Vote YES on N to protect excellent education and small, neighborhood schools--keep Los Altos schools strong.	”
—Roy E. Lave, Robin A. Abrams, Lawrence Chu, Sr., John Radford and Nikki Selden

Opposition

Opponents

• John Inks, Retired engineer
• Mark W.A. Hinkle, President: Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
• Yvonne M. Sutton, District Resident
• Kendle K. Bahl, District Resident
• Edward Leo Wimmers, Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

Arguments

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

“	We all want good schools and a great education for all our district children. It's the right thing and it enhances our property values. But that doesn't justify spending our taxpayer dollars without a clear, prioritized plan. Once again, the Los Altos School District (LASD) is requesting a $150 million bond that is in addition to outstanding debt of $77 million, bringing it very near its state mandated bond limit. The true cost is at least $325 million or $71,429 per child. The existing ad valorem taxes would rise to approximately $1,186 per $100,000 of assessed value and result in a tax bill of $13,045, for the average house value of $1,100,000. Voters should demand a detailed plan for how the funds will be used, what and where facilities will be built, and how facilities will be used. This bond contains no plan for how its $150 million will relieve over-crowding. It does not prioritize the long-term needs of our growing district over funding non-essential projects (such as renovation) at existing sites with no increase in classroom capacity. No plans exist for additional school sites and money used to acquire new land through eminent domain will result in even more legal bills, rather than expand and efficiently use existing facilities and school district land. LASD is approximately 50% underutilized on a student-to-acreage metric with a comparable school district. Eleven years ago, LASD had 8 elementary sites averaging 512 students each; today LASD has 9 elementary schools averaging 495 students each. The district has enough student capacity for at least another four years. Tell the trustees to spend more time prioritizing a plan before asking taxpayers for more money. Please vote No on N.	”
—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