30,824 / 50.4% Yes votes ...... 30,327 / 49.6% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $268,653,300 for the uses specified.

A NO vote of this measure means:

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

Proposition 39, approved by the voters in a statewide election November, 2000, amended the California Constitution to authorize the issuance of bonded indebtedness to acquire or improve real property, if approved by fifty-five percent of the votes cast by voters in an election. The Constitution permits the debt service on such bonds to be paid through the imposition of ad valorem property taxes on property located within the district. The maturity of any such bonds issued would not exceed 25 years pursuant to the Election Code, and 40 years pursuant to the Government Code, at a rate of interest within the legal limit. Since the interest rate on the bonds is determined when the bonds are sold, the exact amount of the tax increase can only be determined after the bonds are sold.

With annual audits and citizen oversight, proceeds of the bonds would be used to upgrade classrooms and technology infrastructure at Mission College and West Valley College as described in the ballot statement. Projects include expansion of science laboratories, construction of new classrooms, and replacement of deteriorating athletic facilities.

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds not to exceed the principal amount of $268,653,300 for the uses specified.

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

Ann Miller Ravel, County Counsel

/s/ by Kathryn A. Berry, Deputy County Counsel

West Valley College

• Bond Measure Information

Please note

The material about this Measure has been retyped from Registrar of Voters' material. There could be errors. The official material can be obtained from the Registrar of Voters.

Pros & Cons meeting

Feb. 21 - 7:30 - 9:30 pm

Saratoga Community Center
19655 Allendale Ave.
sponsored by AAUW and LWV

Cupertino Courier

• District asking voters to approve bond - 1/9/02

• WV-MCC district victorious in two lawsuits by residents - 2/13/02
• Controversy swirls around bond vote on March ballot - 1/30/02

• Will NIMBY politics in one of the valley's wealthiest enclaves derail a badly needed school bond? - 1/24/02

• WV-MCC district and neighbors battle over Measure E - (Cover story) - 2/20/02
• City to negotiate with the Chamber after questioning Measure E stance - 2/20/02
• The city council takes a stand against the WV-MCC bond - 2/13/02

Supports

• Citizens for West Valley Mission-Yes on Measure E

• Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co. - Vote No on E

Unfortunately, aging facilities negatively impact the quality of education, job training, career advancement and on-going instruction for thousands of local college students.

Facilities designed in the 1960's and 70's to meet higher education needs are inadequate today. Outdated classrooms as well as science and computer labs need renovating. Safety and seismic upgrades are needed. Aging energy, electrical, plumbing and heating systems need attention and are costly to operate. Repairs and renovations are needed now to provide up-to-date classrooms, job training and educational facilities.

Measure E will rehabilitate deteriorated educational facilities and add classrooms and instructional support space to properly serve our community. Measure E will:

• Repair campus buildings to meet current health and safety standards
• Renovate outdated classrooms, science labs and job training facilities
• Upgrade training facilities for law enforcement, fire science and emergency services
• Replace leaky roofs and 30-year-old temporary classrooms
• Upgrade electrical systems for safety and improved access to technology
• Add academic and job training classrooms and instructional support space
• Replace deteriorated plumbing and sewer systems
• Upgrade inefficient energy, heating and ventilation systems

Independent audits will be conducted annually and an independent Citizens Oversight Committee will monitor all expenditures to ensure funds are spent properly.

Measure E is supported by educators, business and community leaders, students, parents and senior citizens throughout our community.

Please vote YES on Measure E.

/s/ Elaine Alquist, State Assemblywoman

/s/ Michael E. Fox, Sr., Community/Business Leader

/s/ Joan Sarlo, Founding Faculty Member - West Valley College

/s/ William H. Cilker, Senior Citizen

/s/ Chris C. Constantin, Former Student/Trustee

It never mentions the amount of the bonds!

They don't want you to know Measure E will cost you 715 Million dollars in new taxes but generate only 248 Million for West Valley-Mission Community College District. This is beyond greed; it's obscene.

Their ballot statement does not include the typical hardship exemption for seniors on fixed incomes and other low income families.

The Citizen Oversight Committee would be appointed by the West Valley-Mission Community College District. How could it be unbiased or impartial?

Their statement suggests almost all the funds are for renovation and repair. Untrue! Actually, over 190 Million dollars will be used for repaying existing debt, new construction, an unspecified slush fund for "student support", and additional athletic facilities (e.g., concession stands, light standards, amplified sound systems).

They claim "outstanding educational opportunities." Untrue! District academic performance has been deteriorating: Less than 4% of the West Valley-Mission Community College District's 26,000 students earn degrees each year. (District Report 12-13-01). Did you know that 60% of those students live outside our District?

Proposed projects were selected by marketing research surveys, not based on educational need.

• The West Valley-Mission Community College District's annual budget is over $100 million per year.
• Plus several million more per year in extra local funding.
• They already spend half their budget outside the classroom!

Vote "NO" on Measure E.

/s/ Victor Monia, Former Trustee, West Valley-Mission Comm. College District

/s/ Adrienne Loo, Psychology Graduate Student, West San Jose Voter

/s/ Sandra Todd, Los Gatos Voter & Mother of West Valley College Graduate

/s/ Charles Butterfield, Campbell Voter

/s/ Ann Waltonsmith, Saratoga City Councilperson (For idenfication purpose only)

The real issue is District mismanagement of money from tuition, fees, state allocations and rents:

• Three years ago, the West Valley - Mission Community College District "lost" $3,000,000. District officials believe it was an accounting error, but aren't certain.
• The District Foundation's treasurer was prosecuted for embezzling Foundation funds.
• The last two external audits revealed inadequate safeguards for handling cash accounts and lack of corrective action.
• Unlike other community colleges, the West Valley - Mission Community College District receives over $3,200,000 per year from lease of surplus properties.
• The last two years the State gave the District $7,000,000 to improve academic programs. Sadly, the District's academic performance has instead deteriorated. Total degrees and certificates granted have fallen 25% since 1997; the number of "transfer ready" students has decreased 25% and basic skills improvement (reading and math) has dropped 10% since 1997. (Source: The Community College Chancellor's Office reports).

• Even the Trustees never saw the project list until that night.
• Most projects are "guesstimates" - no detailed cost analysis made available

Vote "NO" on this three quarter Billion dollar, new tax, bond measure. This is greed, not need. This District had not been fiscally responsible and its academic performance has been deteriorating. Send a clear message - Unjustified spending of public funds must stop!

/s/ Charles Butterfield, Campbell Voter

/s/ Leslye G. Fazio, West Valley Homeowners Assoc.

/s/ Victor Monia, Former Trustee - West Valley-Mission Community College

/s/ Scott Runde, President - Primavera Homeowners Assoc. of Santa Clara

/s/ D. N. Davis, Santa Clara Voter

Here are the facts:

West Valley College and Mission College need major repair, renovation and upgrading. Job training facilities are outdated and in some cases obsolete. Although well maintained, these educational facilities need updating to provide for ongoing educational needs of students who will transfer to four year colleges and citizens needing job training and career advancement courses.

The cost of this bond measure is small, about $14 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation (not to be confused with market value). This is tax deductible.

State law requires a specific plan for use of these funds. Only repairs and construction essential to maintain quality educational programs are included. There are no frills, no expensive wish lists, no blank checks.

By law, no funds may be used to pay administrative salaries or benefits. Funds can only be used for facility improvements.

Passage of Measure E will qualify our community for state matching funds that would otherwise go to other community colleges in other parts of the state.

Passage of Measure E will ensure that our community colleges have the necessary facilities students need to face the challenges of a competitive job market and economy.

Measure E has earned the support of both Democratic and Republican leaders.

Nurses, police, firefighters, emergency medical workers, and those served by these professionals, are some of the many Santa Clara Valley residents who will benefit from improved community college classrooms and facilities.

Please vote yes.

/s/ Elaine Alquist, Assemblywoman

/s/ Michael E. Fox, Sr., Business & Community Leader

/s/ Joan Sarlo, Founding Faculty - West Valley College

/s/ William H. Cilker, Senior Citizen/Community Leader

/s/ Chris C. Constantin, Former Student/Trustee

Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be paid through property taxation:
1. 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 based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement is 1.407 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $14.07 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2002-03.

2. 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 based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement is 1.407 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $14.07 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2008-09.

3. 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 years in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement is 1.407 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $14.07 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal years 2002-03 through 2008-09.

Attention of 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. The actual timing of bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District, the state of the bond market, and other factors. The actual interest rates on any bonds sold will depend upon market conditions and other factors at the time of sale. The actual assessed valuations in future years will depend upon the value of property within the District as determined in the assessment and equalization process. Therefore, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as stated above.

/s/ Linda G. Salter, Chancellor, West Valley-Mission Community College District

"To improve educational opportunities for local residents, shall West Valley-Mission Community College District issue $268,653,300 in bonds at legal interest rates to construct, acquire, repair and equip classrooms, libraries, science/computer labs, facilities/sites, upgrade technology, improve safety, lighting, electrical, energy conservation, ventilation/plumbing systems, appoint a Citizen's Oversight Committee to perform annual audits and ensure that no bond money is used for salaries, administrative expenses?"

The Board of Trustees of the West Valley-Mission Community College District has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the scope of college facility projects to be funded as outlined in both the District's West Valley College Educational and Facilities Master Plan, dated February 16, 2001, and as shall be amended from time to time and the Mission College Educational and Facilities Master Plan, dated October 2, 2001, and as shall be amended from time to time, each on file for review at the Chancellor's Office: