Oak Grove School District Bond Issue, Measure P (November 2014)

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

Measure P authorized the issuance of $89.8 million in bonds to benefit the Oak Grove School District. The funds were meant to be used to renovate, repair, acquire, construct and modernize classrooms and facilities and increase student access to computers and technology.

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

Election results

Oak Grove School District, Measure P
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		13,056	65.55%
No		6,862	34.45%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To renovate, repair, acquire, construct and modernize classrooms and educational facilities; and to increase student access to computers and modern technology; shall the Oak Grove School District be authorized to issue $89,800,000 of bonds with interest rates below the legal limit, annual audits, independent citizens oversight, all funds spent locally and no money used for administrator salaries or taken by the State and spent elsewhere?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure P:

“	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 Oak Grove School District (District) proposes issuing bonds in the amount of $89,800,000. As identified in the measure, bond proceeds would be used for purposes including, but not limited to, the following: (1) renovating, repairing, acquiring, constructing and modernizing classrooms and educational facilities; and (2) increasing access to computers and modern technology. A detailed list of projects and allowed expenditures is included within the full text of the measure. No funds will be used for teacher or administrator salaries. 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 P. 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 (2021-2022). Measure P 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 $89,800,000 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 $89,800,000 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

• Jeremy Nishihara, Oak Grove SD Board President
• Ash Kalra, Councilmember District 2
• K.C. Walsh, Oak Grove Educators Association, Past President
• Rita Ledesma, Community Member
• Chris Hightower, Parent, District Advisory Committee President

Arguments

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

“	Great schools make a difference! Our kids deserve buildings that are safe and secure and a learning environment that is suited to the 21st century. Our community deserves schools that we all can be proud of– schools that improve the local quality of life and enhance local property values. Your 'YES' vote on Measure P will provide funds for critically needed renovation and modernization projects, allow us to continue our investment in local elementary and intermediate school facilities, and help us to deliver an educational environment that supports student achievement and success. Local voters have been generous in the past. Thanks to your support: our local elementary and intermediate schools have new fire, safety, and communications systems; leaky roofs have been replaced; heating and ventilation systems have been modernized; classrooms have been updated; and new gymnasiums have been constructed for our intermediate school students. But more needs to be done. Measure P will let Oak Grove School District continue the job of fixing our schools. We will: Identify and address emerging safety and security issues; Repair and renovate aging school facilities before they need emergency repairs; and Modernize classrooms in order to provide a 21st century learning environment for our kids. Taxpayers will be well protected. The District will conduct annual performance and financial audits. All expenditures will be reviewed by a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. And no money will be taken by the State or used for administrator salaries. Our local schools are an important community asset. Help us to do right by our kids, by our community, and by our taxpayers. Vote 'YES' on Measure P.	”
—Jeremy Nishihara, Ash Kalra, K.C. Walsh, Rita Ledesma and Chris Hightower

Opposition

Opponents

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

Arguments

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

“	School bonds such as Measure P saddle school districts with new debt— debt which must be serviced. To do that, plus pay back the principal, the district must either divert existing revenues from education services, or force homeowners and landlords in the district to pay even more property tax. Servicing debt is REALLY expensive. A 3% interest rate on $89,800,000 means paying $2,694,000 per year— for 25-30 years. This bond's total cost: $157,150,000 (principal + interest), if paid in 25 years. It'd be even worse, if it takes the maximum period of 30 years. We taxpayers must ask whether Oak Grove Elementary School District put its existing debt to good use. Do they really need this new loan? Let's look back: Just 6 years ago, voters approved a $125,000,000 bond to "add solar power" to schools. Where did those utility savings go? Answer: Teachers' salaries increased by $349,926 and administrators' salaries increased by $490,508, from school years 2011-12 to 2012-13. (Latest figures available.) So, when proponents of more debt say, "No monies from bond issues go to administration," now you know the truth: it can and it does! Remember, school bonds are like home mortgages: they must be paid back in full, plus interest—lots of interest. Which means, lots of tax dollars that won't go to teachers, library books, computers, or maintenance. Interest payments go to lenders. If this addiction to bonds continues, eventually our districts' revenue could all be needed for servicing bonds, and none will be left to educate kids! 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 P. Enough is enough! Like us, you can be for schools, for students, for teachers, and against Measure P.	”
—Mark W.A. Hinkle, Edward Leo Wimmers, and Omar Chatty

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