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Redwood City Elementary School District Bond Issue, Measure T (November 2015)
| Measure info Amount: $193 million |
|---|
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A bond issue was on the ballot for Redwood City Elementary School District voters in San Mateo County, California, on November 3, 2015. It was approved.
Measure T authorized the district to increase its debt by up to $193 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. The bond revenue was earmarked to be used for capital improvements in the district. District officials estimated that an average property tax rate of $30 per $100,000 of assessed property value would be required to repay the bonds. The bonds need to be paid back within a maximum of 40 years.[1]
A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of Measure T.
Election results
| Redwood City ESD, Measure T | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 8,370 | 63.47% | ||
| No | 4,817 | 36.53% | ||
- Election results from San Mateo County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[2]
| “ |
To upgrade and repair neighborhood schools with funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Redwood City Elementary School District: renovate aging classrooms and science labs for 21st century learning; fix or replace deteriorating roofs; update classroom and instructional technology; improve school fire and earthquake safety; and repair, construct, acquire, or equip classrooms, sites, and facilities; by issuing $193 million in bonds at legal rates with independent oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds staying local?[3] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of Measure T was prepared by the office of the county counsel:
| “ |
The Education Code Section 15100 authorizes a school district to issue bonds for a specified purpose if voters first approve the issuance of the bonds at an election. Education Code Section 15274 provides the measure passes if 55% of those voting on it vote for the measure. The Board of Trustees of the Redwood City School District proposes this measure, which would authorize the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $193 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in a maximum of 40 years from their date of issuance, depending on how they are issues, unless a longer maturity is permitted by law. The District's best estimate of the annual tax rate levy to fund this bond is $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, which includes its estimate of the initial rate and the highest expected rate. This means that a property assessed at $700,000 would likely have an annual tax assessment of $210.00 for the duration of the bond repayment period. The California Constitution requires the listing of specific school facilities projects to be funded from the bond revenue and certification that the District governing board has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in the development of that list. The District's "Project List" for the bond is attached to the full text of the measure and lists three general types of projects: facility upgrades and repair; creating new facilities; and technology and equipment improvements. Listed improvements include: removing old portable buildings; upgrading or replacing roofs and electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems; improving fire and earthquake safety; improving student restrooms; providing classroom intrusion alarms, locks, and exterior lighting; upgrading emergency communication and backup systems; working to move kindergarten classrooms and playgrounds away from streets; improving traffic circulation; renovating classrooms; constructing classrooms for music, art, and performing arts; improving or constructing health and student service facilities and physical education areas; providing modern classroom technology; upgrading libraries; and constructing flexible classrooms and labs. The Project List should be reviewed for further details. The California Constitution and Education Code require the District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the bonds. Accordingly, the District will direct the funds to be deposited into a special account, appoint an independent citizens' oversight committee, conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on the listed improvements and for not other purposes, and prepare annual reports listing the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any funded project. A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize the Redwood City School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $193 million for the purposes listed in the "Project List." A "no" vote would prevent the Redwood City School District from issuing the bonds.[3] |
” |
| —San Mateo County counsel[1] | ||
Full text
The full text of the bond measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of Measure T:[2]
- Dennis P. McBride, president of the Redwood City School District Board of Trustees
- Brenton C. Britschgl, former mayor of Redwood City
- Barbara Pierce, Redwood City council member
- Consuelo Guerrero, member of the Latino Community Council of Redwood City
- Jane Hall Taylor, parent of a student of the Redwood City School District
- Alyn Thomas Beals
Arguments in favor
Supporters of Measure T argued that Measure T would allow the district to provide modern technology and up-to-date lab rooms, classrooms and libraries. They claimed the improvements funded by the bond measure would allow students in the district to have the same quality of education as the students in nearby districts. After applauding students for "significant growth in academic achievement in recent years," supporters stated, "However, most of our elementary and middle schools are 50 years old and three are more than 80 years old. Critical repairs and upgrades are required to ensure schools meet current health, safety, fire and earthquake standards to support continued success in a safe, modern learning environment."[2]
Official argument
The official argument in favor of Measure T submitted for inclusion on the ballot can be read here.
Editorials
- The San Mateo Daily Journal editorial board wrote an article endorsing a "yes" vote on Measure T. An excerpt of the editorial is below:
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It is estimated that there is about $600 million in needs and this bond will merely address the most pressing ones. [...] Measure T seeks to address facilities that are sometimes beautiful but no longer serving the community’s needs. An upgrade is in order. Vote yes on Measure T.[3] |
” |
| —San Mateo Daily Journal editorial board[4] | ||
Opposition
Opponents
Mark W.A. Hinkle, the president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, signed the official argument in opposition to Measure T.[5]
Arguments against
Official argument
An excerpt of the official argument that was submitted in opposition to Measure T for inclusion on the ballot is below:
| “ |
In 2012, voters in the District passed a parcel tax. Now, they’re back for more loot. $193,000,000 is a lot more loot. The School District Board says “all of the District’s schools are more than 50 years old” Do you replace your home because it’s over 50 years old? Clearly no. Just because a building is old, doesn’t make it unusable or unsafe. They claim this bond measure is needed to provide 21st century classrooms for 9,150 students or $21,092 expense per student. If class size is 25 students, let’s do the math: 25 students times $21,092 equals $527,322 per classroom. Finally, school bonds, just like mortgages, have to be paid back, in full, plus interest. These interest payments (tax money from you) don’t go to teachers, libraries, computers, or maintenance, etc.; they just go to service the debt. Debt you have to pay for. Debt your children will have to pay for and debt your grandchildren will have to pay for. Bonds can last up to 40 years!!![3] |
” |
| —Mark W.A. Hinkle, the president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association[2] | ||
Path to the ballot
Measure T was put on the ballot by a vote of the school district board of trustees.[1]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Redwood City School District bond Measure T. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Local school bonds on the ballot
- Redwood City Elementary School District, California
- San Mateo County, California ballot measures
- November 3, 2015 ballot measures in California
External links
Support
Opposition
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 San Mateo Elections Office, "Impartial analysis of Measure T," accessed October 1, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Smart Voter, “Measures appearing on the ballot on November 3, 2015,” accessed September 29, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The San Mateo Daily Journal, "Editorial: Yes on Measure T," October 23, 2015
- ↑ Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, "Argument Against the Redwood City Elementary School District $193,000,000 Bond Issue: Measure T," accessed October 24, 2015
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