Snowline Joint Unified School District Bond Issue, Measure L (November 2014)

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A Snowline Joint Unified School District Bond Issue, Measure L ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Snowline Joint Unified School District in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California. It was defeated.

If approved, Measure L would have issued $60 million in bonds to benefit the Snowline Joint Unified School District. The funds would have been used to upgrade classrooms; improve security, drinking water and fire safety systems; repair electrical wiring, roofs, plumbing and bathrooms; replace portables and repair, construct, and acquire educational facilities and equipment.

District officials estimated that an additional annual property tax rate of $60 per $100,000 of assessed property value would be required to repay these bonds.

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

Election results

d Measure L
County:	Yes		No
	Votes	%	Votes	%
San Bernardino County	3,381	45.76%	4,008	54.24%
Los Angeles County	18	36.00%	32	64.00%
Totals:	3,399	45.69%	4,040	54.31%

Measure L
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		4,040	54.31%
Yes		3,399	45.69%

Election results from San Bernardino County Elections Office and Los Angeles County Clerk

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To upgrade outdated classrooms, science labs, career/vocational education facilities; improve school security/drinking water/fire safety systems; repair electrical wiring, leaky roofs, plumbing and bathrooms; replace old portables; repair, construct, acquire educational facilities, sites/equipment, shall Snowline Joint Unified School District issue $60,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, requiring independent audits, Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, no money for administrators’ salaries, and requiring all funds be used locally for Snowline schools?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure L:

“	Measure L is submitted to the voters by the Board of Education of the Snowline Joint Unified School District (“District”). A yes vote by fifty-five percent (55%) of the voters within the District voting on this measure will authorize the Board of Education of the District to issue and sell bonds in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 at an annual interest rate not exceeding the statutory maximum. The District plans to use the proceeds of this bond measure to upgrade classrooms, science labs, career/vocational educational centers; improve school security, drinking water, fire systems; repair electrical wiring, leaky roofs, plumbing, bathrooms; replace old portables; repair, construct, acquire educational facilities, sites, equipment; and provide a local match for State funding. Article XIIIA of the California Constitution restricts the use of the bond funds to the school facilities projects included in the District’s Bond Project List. The Bond Project List was approved by action of the Board of Education and is included in the Full Text of Measure L. The District may enter into agreements with other public or nonprofit organizations for joint use of the school facilities financed with the proceeds of the bonds. Issuance of all of the authorized bonds might require the outstanding debt of the District to exceed its statutory bonding limit of 2.50% of the total assessed valuation of taxable property in the District. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies upon the taxable property in the District, which is estimated at 6 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of the assessed valuation. If this measure passes, the Board of Education of the District will be authorized to issue and sell the $60,000,000 in bonds set forth in the measure, qualify to receive State of California matching grant funds, and seek a waiver from the State Board of Education should the District exceed its 2.50% bonding limit. If less than fifty-five percent (55%) of the voters voting on this measure vote yes, the Board of Education of the District will not be authorized to issue and sell the $60,000,000 in bonds set forth in the measure. This measure will not have any effect on existing law.	”
—Regina A. Coleman, Principal Assistant San Bernardino County Counsel

Support

Supporters

A committee called Yes on L - Snowline 2014 was created to campaign in support of Measure L.

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

• Steve Coulombe, Clerk, Snowline JUSD Board of Trustees
• Carolyn McNamara, Real Estate Broker/Owner The McNamara Group, Inc.
• Janet Molina, Local Business Owner/Employer, McDonald's of Phelan
• AI Morrissette, Vice–President, Phelan–Pinon Hills Community Service District
• William Tuck Jr., 32–year Snowline resident, Taxpayer Association Activist, Former Citizens' Oversight Committee Member, Victor Valley College Bond Measure "JJ"

Arguments in favor

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

“	Retain and attract quality teachers and improve OUR local schools– vote Yes on L! Did you know Sacramento politicians cut $45 million from our local schools since 2008? These cuts caused teacher layoffs, delayed safety upgrades, and left our children with outdated classrooms and technology. Our schools need a dedicated source of local funds that can't be taken by the State—vote YES on L! YES on L upgrades and expands Snowline school vocational and career education programs that train students for jobs in health care, technology, engineering and other high-paying, in-demand careers. These programs currently use outdated, insufficient equipment and classrooms. A number of our local school buildings were built nearly 60 years ago and are in urgent need of basic repairs. YES on L fixes leaking roofs, broken plumbing and bathrooms, and upgrades security and fire safety systems so our children get the safe, clean schools they deserve. YES on L attracts and retains quality teachers by upgrading our classrooms and teaching environments YES on L upgrades job training facilities for students planning to enter the workforce after high school YES on L updates obsolete computer labs and technology YES on L ensures school drinking water is safe YES on L repairs leaking roofs and outdated plumbing, bathrooms, electrical systems and wiring YES on L improves school safety by upgrading fire alarms, smoke detectors, and safety doors YES on L is subject to strict accountability requirements, including independent annual financial audits and review of all spending by an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. By law, all funds are required to be spent locally to improve our schools. None of this money can be taken away by Sacramento politicians. Remember-- Quality public schools help maintain strong property values! Join us -- vote YES on L!	”
—Steve Coulombe, Carolyn McNamara, Janet Molina, AI Morrissette and William Tuck Jr.

Opposition

Opponents

A committee called Its OK to Say No was started to campaign in opposition to Measure L.

The following individuals signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure L:

• Lynn Courtney, Pinon Hills Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), Former Board Member
• Cathy Pace, Snowline Joint Unified School District (SJUSD), Former Board Member
• Chris Mann, Inland Empire Taxpayers Association, Founder
• Socorro Cisneros, White Road Property Owners Association, President
• Fernando Hernandez, Metro Transit Supervisor Retired, Business Owner

Arguments against

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

“	Vote NO to $60 MILLION in more TAXES: Everyone is already taxed to death. The government just reported that nearly 40% of America is struggling to keep their household budgets above water. Yet someone always wants more taxes. Like that new $150 fire fee you now get to pay each year. All added up it is way too much! It is OK to Say NO: We have to finally say NO! Those struggling need us to say NO! Fact: The SJUSD student population has dropped over 23% since the 1999-2000 year and nearly 15% since the 2007-08 year. Yet SJUSD has borrowed without voter approval $49 MILLION from 2005-2007, despite this student population DROP. They still owe over $59 MILLION long term as of 2013. Now they want $60 MILLION MORE from YOU! Fact: SJUSD wants you to be on the hook this time to borrow this $60 MILLION PLUS INTEREST. They want you to use your home, land or business property as collateral; a tax lien against your property. This lien will go up every time your property assessment goes up. If you can’t pay your property taxes, then you could lose your property. LANDLORDS will pass this cost to TENANTS. This tax lien will be on your property for DECADES! Fact: SJUSD wants money to repair existing properties, upgrade items, etc. Doing regular maintenance is supposed to get done every year through the annual operating budget, now over $64 MILLION, just like you do at home. Fact: They also want to spend money planning for more schools, even though the student population has dropped over 23% since the 1999-2000 year! Our community wants to STAY RURAL, NOT PAY to become like Victorville! Please Vote NO on Measure L SJUSD Bond.	”
—Lynn Courtney, Cathy Pace, Chris Mann, Socorro Cisneros and Fernando Hernandez

See also

• Local school bonds on the ballot
• Los Angeles County, California ballot measures
• San Bernardino County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Los Angeles County Clerk and Recorder website

Support

• Yes on L - Snowline 2014 website, accessed November 1, 2014

Opposition

• Its OK to Say No website, accessed November 2, 2014 (dead link)