Smart Voter

Evergreen School District, Measure A Bond


"Shall the Evergreen Elementary School District incur a bonded indebtedness
of $60,000,000 with an interest rate not to exceed the statutory limit for
the purpose of raising money for the following real property improvements
(which purposes are hereby united and shall be voted as one single
proposition): (a) the construction or purcahse of buildings; (b) the
acquisitioon of sitesl and (c) the permannent alteration, addition or
improvement to buildings and sites including any off-site improvements
related thereto?"

COUNTY COUNSEL'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE A

The California Constitution authorizes districts to issue bonded indebtedness
for the purpose of the acquisition or improvement of real property through the
imposition of Ad Valorem property taxes upon approval of two-thirds of the
votes cast by voters in an election.

The Evergreen School District proposes to issue bonds not to exceed $60 million
with maturity not to exceed twenty-five years with annual interest thereon not
to exceed twelve percent. The bonds would be repaid through a property tax
based upon the taxable value of real property and the improvements thereon.

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general
obligation bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $60,000,000.00. The
funds derived from the sale of the bonds would be expended to construct or
purchase buildings; to acquire sites; and for the permanent alteration,
addition or improvement to buildings and sites including any related off-site
improvements.

A "no" vote is a vote not to authorize the issuance and sale of said bonds.


STEVEN M. WOODSIDE
County Counsel

By:  BRIAN L. CARR
Deputy County Counsel


TAX RATE STATEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH
THE EVERGREEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE A TO BE SUBMITTED
AT A SCHOOL BONDS ELECTION ON
NOVEMBER 4, 1997


An election will be held in the Evergreen School District (the "District") on
November 4, 1997, to authorize the sale of up to $60,000,000 in general
obligation bonds. It is expected that bonds would be issued in series over time.
The following tax rate information complies with Sections 9400 et seq. of the
California Elections Code. Such information is based upon the best estimates and
projections of assessed valuations presently available from official sources,
upon experience within the District, and upon other demonstrable factors.


The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund
the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series
of bonds is 4.07" per $100 of assessed valuation in the fiscal year 1999/00.

The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund
the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of
bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply is 4.79" per
$100 of assessed valuation in the fiscal year 2007/08.

The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied
to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply
is 5.78" per $100 of assessed valuation for the fiscal year 2015/16.

The best estimate of the average tax rate that would be required to be levied
to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the years in which a tax rate would be
required to be levied to fund the bond issue (the years over which the tax rate
would be averaged) is 4.25" per $100 of assessed valuation for the fiscal years
1999/00 through 2030/31.

Attention to all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information
is based upon projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the
District. Such projections and estimates may vary due to the timing of bond
sales, the amount of bonds sold at each bond sale, market interest rates at the
time of each bond sale, and actual assessed valuation over the term of repayment
of the bonds. The actual dates of the sale of bonds and the amount sold on any
given date will be governed by the needs of the District and other factors. The
actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold, which in any event will
not exceed the maximum permitted by law, will depend upon the market for the
bonds at the time of each sale. Actual assessed valuation in future years will
depend upon the value of property within the District as determined in the
assessment and the equalization process. Hence, the actual tax rates and the
years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated
above.


JAMES F. SMITH
Superintendent, Evergreen School District



ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A


The children of the Evergreen Elementary School District need your vote for
Measure A to fund essential renovations & improvements to local schools. The
facts in support of this measure speak for themselves.

The facts are:

* Our schools are overcrowded! Student enrollment is increasing 
every year.
* Our schools need basic renovations! Roofs leak, electrical and plumbing
systems need upgrading, playground equipment and old heating, cooling and
ventilation systems need replacing.

* Good schools help increase residential property values. The Evergreen
Elementary School District offers an outstanding academic program -- all 15
schools have been awarded the title of California Distinguished School for high
academic performance and strong community ties. We must maintain the facilities
needed to support these high standards!

Voter approval of Measure A will:

* Reduce overcrowding by funding construction of new classroom space at schools
throughout the district.
* Fund essential renovations to schools throughout the district, such as:
replacing worn-out plumbing and bathroom fixtures; repairing leaky roofs;
upgrading classroom heating, cooling, ventilation and electrical systems; adding
classroom air conditioning, replacing playground equipment and turfs.
* Fund the installation of the wires, switches & cables needed to connect
classroom computers.
* Fund the construction of 3 new elementary schools over the next 10 years to
accommodate our growing student population.

Voter approval of Measure A will not increase your property tax rate:

Measure A is a valuable community investment at a reasonable cost. Voter
approval of this bond will not increase the current local property tax rate
approved by voters in 1989. Passing Measure A is by far the most cost-effective
way to give our children and grandchildren the classrooms they deserve!

VOTE YES ON MEASURE A!


ALICE E. WOODY, Councilmember

DALLAS A. CLARK, Chairman, Citizens for Evergreen Schools

JON F. LARSON, Retired, IBM Program Manager

LESLIE C. SUGIMOTO, D.D.S., Dentist

DENISE A. VENTO, President, Evergreen Little League


REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A


A quality education for our children is one of the most important gifts we  can
give them.   Bonds do not provide an  education.   Instead of spending more
money on construction and renovation,  why not  seek to improve the quality of
education?

That does not require tax increases.   It has been shown over and over again
that the two most important factors in quality  education  are parental
involvement and good teachers, in that order.  Everything else pales in
comparison.

Parental  involvement is inexpensive, but requires  active  approaches. All
parents want their children to do better.  Perhaps community action can draw
parents into stronger ties with their children.   Perhaps  new community leaders
will arise from a renewed commitment to excellence.

Get the ball rolling, and it will go a long way.

Isn't that worth striving for?   Involvement can provide so much more than mere
money can ever do.  No bonds required.

Vote NO! on Measure A.


MARK W.A. HINKLE, Chair, Libertarian Party of California

CHARLES B. WALKER, Vice-Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Cty

ELIZABETH C. BRIERLY, Secretary, Libertarian Party of California

MARIANNE E. PETERSEN, County Central Committee Member, Libertarian Party of
Santa Clara County


ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A


HERE WE GO AGAIN

Measure A requests more money,  but would that improve the quality of education
in this district?  Or would it simply prolong the status quo?

Nearly half the state budget and half of your property taxes are  spent on
public education, yet many parents are concerned that the quality of public
education may be going down while the costs keep rising.

TOO MUCH BLOAT

Much of  the high cost is because money needed  for teachers  and classrooms
can be siphoned off for expensive  frills.   Most private schools  spend
considerably  less  per  student  and have  far  fewer administrators, yet
provide what many feel is a better education.

YOUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER

Lack of choice and lack of competition in the public school system  is directly
responsible for lowered quality.  Parents should be  able  to choose the schools
their children attend.   Just as competition  forces private industry to serve
its customers better,  the quality of  public education will improve once
schools must compete for students  instead of having guaranteed enrollments.

DON'T FEED BUREAUCRACY

Less  bureaucracy along with more choice and competition are  essential to
cutting costs and ensuring quality in our schools.  We owe it to our children,
our families, and ourselves to scrutinize funding requests to see if we are
getting full value for our money.  Providing funding with no guarantee of
performance does not improve anything.

BONDS COST MONEY

Bonds are not free money.  Your taxes,  and your children's taxes,  may be
paying them off, with interest, for 30 years or more.

Don't write the district a blank check.   Demand real improvements  to the
educational system before buying into another tax.   You are  the customer.

VOTE  "NO!"  ON MEASURE A.


MARK W.A. HINKLE, Chair, Libertarian Party of California

CHARLES B. WALKER, Vice-Chair, Libertarian Party of S.C. County

ED WIMMERS, Campaigns Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

JON PETERSEN, Secretary, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

DONALD J.R. CORMIER Jr., Activity Chairman, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara
County


REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A


The funds generated by the Measure A school bond will make an excellent
educational product even better!

Fact: All 15 schools in the Evergreen Elementary School District have been
honored as California Distinguished Schools, and 9 schools have been awarded
National Blue Ribbon status by the U.S. Department of Education. No other
district in the state has attained such a level of academic achievement!

Fact: The Evergreen Elementary School District is fiscally conservative and
stable. The district receives the second-lowest level of state funding per
student in Santa Clara County, yet student test scores surpass state and county
averages in reading, writing and math.

Fact: The Evergreen Elementary School District is required by law to use bond
funds for school construction and renovation only. Bond funds cannot be used for
school district salaries or operating expenses.


REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A - Continued


Fact: Measure A is an investment in our community's future that will not
increase the property tax rate. Because the Evergreen area has been growing so
fast, the school district will be able to sell bonds without increasing the
current local property tax rate approved by voters in 1989.

Fact: Providing a top-quality education for our children and grandchildren takes
caring and involved parents, highly trained and qualified teachers, an excellent
curriculum - and adequate, uncrowded school facilities! Measure A will provide
the essential renovations and new classroom construction needed to continue
providing Evergreen children with the top-quality education this community has
come to expect!

VOTE YES ON MEASURE A!


DENISE A. VENTO, President Evergreen Little League

LESLIE C. SUGIMOTO, Dentist

JON F. LARSON, Retired, IBM Program Manager

ALICE E. WOODY, Councilmember

DALLAS A. CLARK, Chairman, Citizens for Evergreen Schools


Cover Page || Election Links
About Smart Voter || Feedback || Help

Copyright © 1997 League of Women Voters of California, Smart Valley Inc.
The League of Women Voters never supports or opposes candidates or political parties.