Orange Unified School District, California, Bond Issue, Measure S (November 2016)
| Measure S: Orange Unified School District Bond Issue |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 ApprovedMajority required: 55% |
| Topic: |
| Local school bonds Tax: $29.00 per $100,000 in value Matures in: Legal limit |
| Related articles |
| Local school bonds on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Orange County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Orange Unified School District, California |
A bond issue was on the ballot for Orange Unified School District voters in Orange County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of issuing $288 million in bonds for classroom and facility repairs and school safety improvements. |
| A no vote was a vote against issuing $288 million in bonds for classroom and facility repairs and school safety improvements. |
A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of this measure.
Election results
| Measure S | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 54,143 | 62.47% | ||
| No | 32,534 | 37.53% | ||
- Election results from Orange County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To repair and modernize aging high school classrooms, labs and school facilities, including deteriorated roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems, complete earthquake safety retrofits, improve campus safety/security, and upgrade careertraining facilities, science labs, libraries, and technology that support student achievement in math, science, engineering and skilled trades, shall Orange Unified School District issue $288,000,000 in bonds, at legal interest rates, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators’ salaries, and all money locally-controlled?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Orange County Counsel:
| “ |
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 California Constitution further provides that the bond measure must include a requirement that the bond proceeds will be used only for the permitted purposes and other requirements designed to ensure accountability. The Board of Education of the Orange Unified School District has proposed to the voters within the Orange Unified School District that general obligation bonds be issued in an amount up to $288,000,000 and that ad valorem taxes be levied upon taxable property within the Orange Unified School District to repay the bonded indebtedness. The measure provides that proceeds from the sale of the bonds will generally be used to modernize, repair and upgrade school facilities within the Orange Unified School District, including updating classrooms, science labs, and restrooms; improving instructional technology, security equipment and infrastructure safety; and installing energy efficient systems. Bond proceeds may only be spent on the projects set forth in the measure. The measure provides that a citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended within Orange Unified School District. In addition, annual performance and financial audits will be conducted. The measures also requires the Superintendent of the Orange Unified School District to submit a yearly report to the Board of Education as long as the proceeds of the bond remain unexpended The measure further provides that bond proceeds will not be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. The Board of Education of the Orange Unified School District has called the election for the purpose of submitting the measure to the voters within the school district. If 55% of the voters within Orange Unified School District voting on the measure vote “yes,” the school district may proceed to sell the bonds 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.[2] |
” |
| —Orange County Counsel[1] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[1]
- Bill Campbell, Former Orange County Supervisor
- Teresa “Tita” Smith, Mayor of Orange
- Diana Fascenelli, Villa Park City Councilwoman
- Kris Murray, Anaheim City Councilwoman
- Rick Ledesma, Corp. Accounting Mgr.; OUSD Board Pres.
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
| “ |
Yes on Measure S Excellent schools are critically important to our communities’ quality of life. From higher student achievement to training for future jobs and increased home values, quality High Schools make a difference for students, homeowners, and local businesses. Canyon, El Modena, Orange and Villa Park High Schools have earned a reputation for educational distinction, however they are 40- 60 years old and have never been renovated or modernized. Measure S will:
Strict Fiscal Accountability:
Passing Measure S qualifies OUSD to receive our share of matching money from the November State bond. Without Measure S, that State money will go to other school districts that have passed local measures. “Whether you have school-age children or not, protecting quality local schools, home values and our quality of life is a wise investment” – Trevor O’Neil, Business Owner, Past Chairman – Orange Chamber of Commerce Join parents, elected leaders and the business community supporting Measure S. Vote Yes on Measure S. www. YesonS2016.org[2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Steve Rocco, Former OUSD Board Trustee, Committee Against the Orange Unified School District Bond
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
| “ |
Yet, again? It seems to be a yearly ritual that the OUSD puts a bond on the ballot? The dysfunctional board is in agreement, with only one thing: they want your money! I was replaced by a real estate agent. The rest are either ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE members or taken money from them. The district had thousands to spend to gerrymander the district, so that I couldn’t run. They have over $50,000,000 in surplus. On 7-21-2005, Kathy Moffat and Superintendent Tom Godley visited Jim Doti to destroy Rocco. One result was the Californian’s AWare suit. Joined by the “all” Chapman U team of John Moorlach’s (Mario Mainero, Kathy Moran, Fred Smoller) a lien was put on my home and my wages garnished. The OUSD ”made” $83,000. Their allies include the OC REGISTER. Dr. Villanueva/Pathologist has said that “there is an assembly line of murder and theft coming from the political/medical infrastructure.” Do you really want your taxes raised? Homeowners are not safe. Mr. Rocco’s home was invaded by an Orange city detective, a neighbor of TONY RACKAUCKAS. Todd Spitzer’s neighbor is Kim Nichols. Lynn Nichols headed the failed Rocco Recall. The deaths of Mr. Rocco’s family have been called murder by Dr. Villanueva. You don’t want OUSD to have this “play money” that they will dole out to political cronies. In the end, you will be cheated by their “paid” strategists to impliment this. Remember, that you are being victimized. Students are not being cheated! YOU ARE![2] |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Orange Unified School District, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Orange Unified School District Local school bonds. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
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External links
Footnotes
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