Sequoia Union High School District Bond Issue, Measure A (June 2014)

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A Sequoia Union High School District Bond Issue, Measure A ballot question was on the June 3, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Sequoia Union High School District in San Mateo County, California, where it was approved.

Measure A authorized the district to increase its debt by $265 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount in order to update, renovate, repair, construct and purchase district facilities and technology. District officials estimated the additional property tax rate required to pay off this debt at $15.90 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The bonds were designed to be retired in a maximum of either 25 years or 40 years, according to the discretion of the district's board.

In 2014, the Sequoia Union High School District had about 9,247 students.

Voters approved a $165 million dollar bond measure, Measure J, in 2008.

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

Election results

Measure A
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		22,995	65.6%
No		12,052	34.4%

Election results from San Mateo County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To support high quality education and upgrade local high schools with funding that cannot be taken by the state by adding classrooms, science labs, and schools to avoid overcrowding, provide updated classrooms technology, labs, and career technical facilities; renovate aging classrooms and repair, construct, or acquire equipment, classrooms, and facilities, shall Sequoia Union High School District issue $265 million in bonds at legal rates with independent oversight, annual audits, no money for administrators' salaries, and all funds staying local?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure A was prepared by the office of the county counsel:

“	Education Code 15100 authorizes a school district to issue bonds for specified purposes if voters first approve the issuance of the bonds at an election. Education Code Section 15266 provides the measure passes if 55% of those voting on it vote for the measure. The Board of Trustees of the Sequoia Union High School District proposes this measure which would authorize the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $256 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in a maximum of 25 or 40 years from their date of issuance, depending on how the bonds are issued. The District's best estimate of the average annual tax rate levy per $100,000 of assessed valuation to fund this bond is $15.90 for fiscal year 2015-2016 and also for fiscal year 2019-2020. The District's best estimate of the highest average annual tax rate levy per $100,000 of assessed valuation to fund this bond is $15.90. 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 is the full text of the measure and lists four general types of projects: adding classrooms, labs, and other facilities; improving energy efficiency, student safety, and access to technology; performing repairs, upgrades, and capital improvements; and performing incidental work at project sites. Projects are authorized at all District sites, including high schools (Carlmont, Menlo Atherton, Redwood, Sequoia, and Woodside), charter schools, and adult schools. Specific improvements include: repairing, upgrading, and constructing classrooms, administrative areas, student services, athletic facilities, and temporary housing; upgrading technology and related infrastructure; improving energy efficiency, fire safety, security, electrical, plumbing, and environmental control systems; upgrading sports facilities and multipurpose rooms; improving landscaping, accessibility, parking, park up and drop-off areas, furniture, and equipment; removing hazardous materials; and other construction related site work. The Project List should be reviewed for further specifics. 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 a citizens' oversight committee, conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on the listed improvements and for no 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 Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $256 for the purposes listed in the Project List. A NO vote would prevent the Sequoia Union High School District from issuing the bonds. The measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."	”
—San Mateo County Counsel

Support

Great Sequoia High Schools campaign logo

The official campaign in favor of Measure A was called "Great Sequoia High Schools."

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure A:

• Alicia Aguirre, former Redwood City Mayor and Council Member
• John R. Violet, Belmont City Treasurer
• Linda Teutschel, San Carlos Citizen of the Year
• Deborah Stipek, dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education

The following individuals supported Measure A and signed the official rebuttal to arguments in opposition to Measure A:

• Jeff Gee, former chairman of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce
• Laura Martinez, East Palo Alto Mayor
• Don Horsley, supervisor
• Christine Heaton, Sequoia Union High School District Bond Oversight Committee Member
• Rich Kelley, Woodside business leader

Arguments in favor

Official arguments

The following official arguments were submitted in favor of Measure A:

“	Vote YES on A to continue providing a high quality education for neighborhood high school students. Our high schools build strong educational foundations in core academic subject areas and develop career and technical skills that set students on a path to future success in college and 21st century careers. To ensure that our local high schools continue offering a challenging, varied, and top quality curriculum as student enrollment grows, Measure A is critical now. Our high performing high school students have drawn families to our communities, causing a surge in student enrollment. Student enrollment has increased by 20 percent over the last 12 years and is projected to grow by another 20 percent in the next 7 years. To meet the growing demand for science classes and college requirements in core academic subjects as student enrollment increases, our schools require additional science labs and classrooms. Measure A will avoid school overcrowding, help protect our high schools' diverse curriculum, and ensure students can enroll in the classes they require. Vote Yes on A to provide additional classrooms and labs, as well as updated technology, to continue excellent academic programs as student enrollment grows, including: science, math, and other core academics career training and vocational programs advanced programs that prepare students for college and careers technology training for 21st century skills Measure A Requires Fiscal Accountability Measure A funds benefit all local high schools and cannot be taken away by the State by law, no funds can be used for administrators' salaries Measure A qualifies our high schools for future state matching funds Citizen oversight and annual audits are required, ensuring all funds are used for voter approved purposes. Join parents, teachers, and community leaders: Vote Yes on A to prepare local graduates to excel in college and our competitive economy.	”
—Alicia Aguirre, John R. Violet, Linda Teutschel and Deborah Stipek

Opposition

Opponents

Mark W.A. Hinkle, president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers' Association, submitted the official arguments in opposition to Measure A, as well as every other June 3, 2014 school bond and tax measure in San Mateo County and San Benito County.

Arguments against

Official arguments

The following official arguments were submitted in opposition to Measure A:

“	When school boards put bond measures like Measure A before voters, they are admitting everything they are currently spending your tax dollars on now is more important than the projects for which this tax increase is being sought. Budgets set priorities. Sequoia Union High School District is saying every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than having "student safety" and "computer and information technology." Do you agree? The website www.ed-data.k12.ca.us shows at least 9,247 students in the district which means the bond expense is $28,657 per student NOT counting interest costs and repayment of principal and administration costs. When buying a home, truth in lending laws require you be informed about the real cost of buying a home. Shouldn't consumer laws apply to bond issues, too? For example: borrowing $265,000,000 and paying 3% interest for 25 years means annual payments of $15,079,920 in principal and interest for a total lifetime cost of $376,998,000 As a taxpayer, you deserved to know the full truth about Measure A. Instead of paying $15,079,920 (principal and interest) every year for "student safety", your educational dollars will be going to big banks, investment brokers, and other wealthy people to be used as a tax shelter. Is this the best use of your tax dollars? What's more important to you? 1. Spending $15,079,920 a year on building "safety" and "energy efficiency" 2. Spending $15,079,920 a year to fund tax shelters for big banks, investment brokers, and the rich. If you value children's health and safety more than funding tax shelters, vote NO on Measure A.	”
—Mark W.A. Hinkle, president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers' Association

Similar measures

a Sequoia Union High School bond proposition, Measure J (February 2008)

See also

• Local school bonds on the ballot
• San Mateo County, California ballot measures
• June 3, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• San Mateo County Elections Department website

Support

• Great Sequoia High Schools website," accessed May 12, 2014