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Measure S School Bonds San Juan Unified School District 80,429 / 72.1% Yes votes ...... 31,145 / 27.9% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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| Infomation shown below: Fiscal Impact | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text | ||||||
"To provide safe and healthy classrooms in Carmichael, Orangevale, Citrus
Heights, Arden-Arcade, Gold River, and Fair Oaks by replacing aging
roofs, upgrading electrical, heating and ventilation systems to current
health/safety standards and providing other critical repairs, shall the San
Juan Unified School District issue $157,000,000 in bonds at the lowest interest rates possible, and appoint a citizens' oversight committee and independent auditor to guarantee funds
are spent only on school improvements, not district salaries or administration?"
The estimated tax rate will be uniform at the rate of 2.9 cents per $100 of valuation throughout the term of the bond issue. This information is based upon projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. Although the total principal amount of the bonds is fixed, the actual times of sales of bonds and the amount sold at any time will be governed by the needs of the District, the statutory debt limit at the time of sale, the state of the bond market and other factors. The actual dates of sale of said bonds and the amount sold at any given time will be governed by needs of the District and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessment valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process.
Measure S provides for an annual audit and for an independent oversight committee to oversee expenditures, without specifying the process for selection or composition of such committee. The number of years that the whole or any part of such school district bonds are to run could not exceed 25 years from the date of the bonds or any series thereof. Actual dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold would be governed by the District. If Measure S is approved, the tax rates necessary for payment of principal and interest on any bonds sold will be largely dictated by the timing of the bond sales, the amount sold at a given sale, market interest rates at the time of each sale (although in no event greater than a maximum of 8 percent per annum), as well as actual assessed valuation of taxable property in the District over the term of repayment. Passage of Measure S requires approval by two-thirds of the voters voting thereon.
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| Arguments For Measure S | Arguments Against Measure S | ||
| The San Juan Unified School District is one of the best school
districts in the state with more high performing schools than any
other district in the region. Many schools have received the state's
highest award for excellence - recognition as a California
Distinguished School. The learning environment, however, is
threatened by aging school facilities. Schools must be upgraded to
protect students and property values.
These schools, built 30-70 years ago, are old and need repair. Over the years these old facilities have been kept in working order, but the age of the schools, the need for major upgrading, and the desire to provide healthy and safe classrooms have prompted Measure S. Heating and plumbing systems are deteriorating. Electrical systems are outdated. Aging roofs need replacement. Bathrooms built years ago are inadequate. Classrooms, libraries, and science laboratories need upgrading for today's academic needs. Measure S will provide funds to renovate each one of the 79 elementary, middle, and high schools. All money raised by Measure S will benefit local children. A Community Oversight Committee will monitor all expenditures to ensure proper spending. The Sacramento County Taxpayers League endorses Measure S because the District guarantees that once renovated, the facilities will be fully maintained in top condition throughout the life of the bond. By law, every dollar from Measure S will go directly for critical repairs. No money will be used for district salaries or administration. Measure S will repair leaky roofs; replace outdated electrical systems for safety; renovate school libraries and science laboratories; build additional classrooms; replace deteriorating plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems; and renovate students' bathrooms. Measure S is supported by teachers, parents, business leaders, senior citizens and the Sacramento Taxpayers League. Good, safe schools are a community asset that enhance property values. Please vote Yes on Measure S.
s/Jonathan Coupal
s/Tom Thompson
s/Ralphene Lee
s/Jim Streng
s/Rita Hodgkins
Don't be misled that bonds are free money! This $157,000,000 debt will come from your property taxes. Unless the entire amount is issued as a single bond, you are taking on a variable rate loan, and gambling on low inflation. Homeowners can't afford this tax hike! Bonds almost double the cost of government projects. Only half of tax money from bonds goes to schools. The other half goes to investors, as interest. They get richer and you lose home equity. This is why "pay as you go" should be the norm. Ironically, advocates say this indebtedness is "on behalf of our children" when, in reality, we obligate our children to pay the bonds back. At a time when money is lacking for police and fire services, we cannot take on this new tax. Dragging you further into debt is no way to gain better schools. We must reduce our taxes, and give you real, affordable education choices for our children. Because standard maintenance hasn't come from the regular budget, problems have worsened. By encouraging politicians now, they'll be back again and again to boost taxes, each time claiming it will cost us "only pennies per day." Beware of this tax hike! Please vote "No" on Measure S!
s/Nancy L. Ralls
s/Franklin D. McClure
s/Edmund J. Weber
s/Merrillyn M. Carson
s/Gene Frazier
| A coalition of movers and shakers and taxers and spenders want another
$157,000,000.00 from the property owners of the San Juan Unified
School District.
In the 20 years since the passage of Proposition 13, all sorts of new and increased taxes and fees have been imposed involuntarily on taxpayers: including special district taxes, developer fees, gasoline taxes, cigarette taxes, the largest income tax in history , and a new Phone Tax (supposedly for Internet access for schools and libraries). There is even a new property transfer tax looming on the horizon. Property values alone do not reflect ability to pay more taxes. Many families are hurting financially. Foreclosures and bankruptcies are reaching new highs. Savings rates are the lowest in 60 years. Real wages of working men and women have gone down. People have experienced life-style changes: military base closures, layoffs from downsizing, forced retirement, and/or loss of, or separation from, a spouse. The organizations and school district officials supporting this measure have no concept of what ordinary folks have to cope with to maintain shelter for themselves and their families. It's just not fair. Join us in opposing this $157,000,000.00 tax increase. Please vote "No!"
s/Nancy L. Ralls
s/Franklin D. McClure
s/Edmund J. Weber
s/Merrillyn M. Carson
s/Gene Frazier
Measure S will cost the average homeowner in the San Juan School District $29/year. Many homeowners, especially senior citizens and those who have owned homes since 1978, will pay much less. All funds are tax deductible. Schools get old. Nearly all schools in our community are over 30 years old. The average age is 35 years. Despite vigorous ongoing maintenance efforts and volunteer work of parents and community members, each school needs critical repairs for the health and safety of students. Roof replacement, electrical upgrades and heating/ventilation replacement are beyond the expertise of volunteers. The San Juan School District is not only one of the best school districts in the area (providing homeowners with higher property values), it is also well managed. The district agreed to annual audit by an independent oversight committee to ensure all money is spent properly. (Measure S opponents are encouraged to apply). Current law requires a local bond to qualify for state matching funds, reducing the cost to taxpayers for repairing our schools. Don't be persuaded by the superficial views of opponents. Measure S is a responsible Measure to fix our schools. Please vote Yes.
s/Jonathan Coupal
s/Tom Thompson
s/Ralphene Lee
s/Jim Streng
s/Rita Hodgkins
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| Text for Measure S |
| The tax rate statement below explains the financing
details of Measure S. Measure S has been placed on the ballot to
provide funds for health and safety upgrades for San Juan schools. By
law, all bond funds must be used to improve school facilities, and
none can be used for salaries or district administration. An
independent oversight committee will oversee all expenditures, and an
annual audit is required to insure all funds are spent properly.
Passage of Measure S will specifically fund the following projects:
All funds generated by Measure S will be spent on the repair of neighborhood schools. |
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Created: February 16, 1999 18:55
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