Pass: 16250 / 69.08% Yes votes ...... 7272 / 30.92% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote on this measure means:

A "YES" vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the Carlsbad Unified School District to issue and sell $198,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

A NO vote on this measure means:

A "NO" vote is a vote against authorizing the Carlsbad Unified School District to issue and sell $198,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition may be used by the School District only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of its school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of its school facilities, acquisition, or lease of real property for its school facilities and construction management by School District personnel.

The interest rate on any bond, which is established at the time of bond issuance, cannot exceed 12% per annum. The final maturity date of any bond could be no later than 25 years after the date of bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code or not later than 40 years after the date of bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the School District in an amount sufficient to pay the interest as it becomes due and to provide a fund for payment of the principal on or before maturity.

Article XIII A of the California Constitution exempts from the one percent property tax rate limitation ad valorem taxes to pay the interest and redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or improvement of real property, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, when approved by 55% of the voters if: (a) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds are used only for the purposes specified, (b) the School District, by evaluating safety, class size reduction, and information technology, has approved a list of specific projects to be funded, (c) the School District will conduct an annual, independent performance audit, and (d) the School District will conduct an annual, independent financial audit. If a bond measure is approved by 55% of the voters, state law requires the governing board of the District to establish an independent citizens' oversight committee. The School District has made this ballot proposition subject to these requirements.

Approval of this proposition does not guarantee that the proposed projects in the School District that are the subject of these bonds will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this proposition.

Carlsbad Unified School District

Our schools are well-maintained, but they are aging. Overcrowding is a serious problem at Carlsbad High School. Student restrooms need repair. Technology, essential for student success, requires improvements to electrical systems and outdated infrastructure. High school classrooms, science labs and facilities must be updated, or rebuilt to meet current and projected enrollment.

Originally designed for 1,600 students, Carlsbad High School, like our community, has experienced dramatic growth. Enrollment today is nearly 3,000 students. Fifty-two portable classrooms, many far older than intended for safe use, overcrowd the campus. Within the next few years, enrollment is predicted to be more than 3,700. To better serve students and this community, the District must build a second high school before overcrowding threatens student learning, health and safety. Proposition P is the only way to secure the improvement and construction of school facilities needed.

Proposition P will:

• Relieve overcrowding, improve health/safety conditions and provide for future student enrollment
  
• Increase academic/vocational opportunities for Carlsbad students
  
• Upgrade technology/infrastructure at all schools

An independent Citizens' Oversight Committee with representation by local residents, parents, seniors, and taxpayer organizations will be appointed to ensure all Proposition P funds are spent as promised.

We respectfully urge your YES vote.

RONALD C. PACKARD
Former Member of U.S. Congress
BUD LEWIS
Mayor of Carlsbad
JAMES D. BOONE
Principal
Magnolia Elementary School (Retired)
LOIS J. MARTYNS
Retired Educator
KEN SUGAHARA
Fire Captain, City of Carlsbad

• This year, education spending jumped dramatically. State Senator Bill Morrow reports that total federal, state and local spending on California K-12 education now exceeds $11,000 per student. This amount is considerably higher than the average private school tuition. The last thing we should be considering is even higher taxes for education.

• The Carlsbad district's share of standard property tax revenue has zoomed upward. It is almost SIX times more than it was 20 years ago + essentially doubling in just the last six years. It is growing FAR faster than population and inflation combined. Yet the district says we need to pay even HIGHER property taxes! No, we don't.

• Ask yourself this question: If the district really needs these bonds, why can't they issue them now, making the bond payments out of the existing tax revenue sources? After all, private schools, which on average charge considerably less than $11,000 tuition, fund their capital costs out of their budgets without raising taxes. Can't public schools, which have much more money, do the same?

• District bureaucrats seeking higher taxes always point to buildings in disrepair. It's a standard pitch. We give them tons of tax money, and they can't maintain our schools. Their solution? Give `em even MORE money. What does that teach our kids about accountability?

• Education is critically important. But paying even higher taxes is not the answer.

PAUL KING
Business Owner
CAROLYN WOOD
Business Owner
EDWARD TEYSSIER
Small Business Owner
RICHARD RIDER
Chair, San Diego Tax Fighters
DANIEL MUHE
Business Owner

• Apparently politicians believe that money DOES grow on trees. Why else would we see over forty BILLION dollars' worth of state bonds on the ballot? Plus two major statewide tax increases and a massive oil "fee" increase?

• In San Diego County, we have no less than 6 bond measures totaling over 3 BILLION dollars + all of which involve tax increases.

• You'd think that there's a shortage of revenue + that somehow we taxpayers are not paying our "fair share." But the truth is that government revenue streams are growing nicely WITHOUT new taxes being levied or raised. Compared to other states, our state and local taxes are quite high already.
• It's become a cliche, but it is still true + we don't have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem!

• That being said, do we need to spend more money on education + issuing school bonds? No!

• Over 90% of private schools in San Diego County charge less tuition than what we taxpayers are now spending on public school students. Usually a LOT less + often more than 60% less than public schooling's total costs.

• Yet these private schools obviously do a good job. Otherwise the parents wouldn't be paying for private education that their kids could get free at government schools.

• The LAST thing we need to do is throw more money into public schools. It's time for bureaucrats to better utilize the money that we ALREADY spend on education.

If you think that your taxes are already too high, or just feel that taxes are high enough, you should vote NO.

Please vote NO! on Prop P.

For more information, contact Paul King
MBAK@adelphia.net 760-434-6190

PAUL KING
Carlsbad Business Owner
LOWELL PONTE
Journalist
RITA S. KING
Registered Nurse
EDWARD TEYSSIER
Chair, San Diego Libertarian Party
RICHARD RIDER
Chair, San Diego Tax Fighters

• They have not studied the needs of Carlsbad schools. In fact, their argument does not even specifically address our local schools or community.
  
• They are part of a group that submitted the identical argument against school bonds throughout San Diego County, regardless of the facts.
  
• Two of the primary authors don't live in Carlsbad.

The quality of education students receive is excellent. Carlsbad schools are well maintained. All have benefited from improvement through judicious use of local resources/state money when available. However, the undisputed need for renovation is critical to ensure safe modern schools for local students. Carlsbad High is overcrowded and the situation will only worsen. Without Proposition P, building a second high school is not possible.

Proposition P will ensure Carlsbad students have access to:

• Clean, renovated restrooms
  
• Up-to-date classrooms/science labs/technology/computers
  
• Vocational classrooms to acquire workforce/technical skills

Proposition P has broad-based, community support. Good schools are essential to maintain local property values and quality of life for local residents.

We strongly urge your YES vote on Proposition P.

JAMES D. BOONE
Principal, Magnolia Elementary
(Retired) CARLTON D. LUND
35-year Carlsbad Resident RONALD C. PACKARD
Former U.S. Congressman
BUD LEWIS
Mayor, City of Carlsbad
LOIS J. MARTYNS
Retired Educator

You are hereby notified in accordance with Section 9401 of the Elections Code of California of the following:

1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds (Fiscal Year 2007-2008), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account future growth, is the following:
$.02700 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $27.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the fiscal year after the last sale of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account future growth, is as follows:
$.02700 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $27.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. Year after last sale of bonds: 2023-2024

3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments on the bonds and the year in which such rate would apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account future growth, is as follows:
$.02700 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $27.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Year of highest tax rate: Tax is projected to be the same every year.

John A. Roach, Ed.D.
District Superintendent
Carlsbad Unified School District