League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure L Bonds Mount Pleasant School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 4482 / 75.48% Yes votes ...... 1456 / 24.52% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure L

Arguments Against Measure L

Vote YES on L to complete basic and critical repairs in our local Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District elementary and middle schools. With safe and modern classrooms, students can continue to improve their skills in math, science, reading and writing, preparing them for success in our competitive 21st-century economy. Student achievement is on the rise in our local schools, but all of our schools are at least 50 years old. In fact, many school restrooms are in such poor condition, that students often do not use them. Additionally, safety systems need upgrading, dry rot and termite damage must be addressed and classrooms require the modern technology students need to continue succeeding. Measure L will provide students the 21st-century technology needed to learn the critical skills, especially in science and math, to excel in our competitive economy. Measure L will repair our aging schools for student safety and better classroom instruction. All funds go directly to our neighborhood schools--the State can't take a single penny. Vote YES on L to improve our schools. Make schools safe from asbestos and other hazards Renovate 40-year-old restrooms that are in poor condition Repair dry rot, termite and other structural damage Repair or replace leaking roofs and old plumbing and wiring Replace antiquated fire alarm and safety communication systems Provide updated classroom computer technology Financial accountability provisions are required. No funds will be used for administrators' or teachers' salaries, benefits or pensions No funds can be taken away by the State Citizen oversight and annual public audits ensure funds are spent appropriately Measure L qualifies our schools for future state matching funds Good schools contribute to strong property values and safe neighborhoods. Please join us: vote Yes on Measure L to improve the quality and safety of our schools and neighborhoods. s/ Linda Sendig School Site Council President s/ Isaiah N. White Former Parent & 20 year district Resident of Mt. Pleasant School District s/ Ron Goulart Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Assn. +VP s/ Manuel R. Martinez Former Board Member s/ Judy A. Valenti 46-year Resident/Retiree Rebuttal to Arguments For When school boards put bond measures like Measure L before the voters, what are they saying? They are admitting that everything they're spending your tax dollars on now, is more important than the projects for which this tax increase is being sought. Budgets set priorities. Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District is saying that every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than to "Make schools safe from asbestos and other hazards" and "Provide updated classroom computer technology." Do you agree? Education Data Partnership (http://www.Ed-Data.K12.ca.us) shows the District's enrollment declining from 2,753 students during the 2009-10 school year, to 2,593 during 2010-11. And the number of teachers has declined from 129.8 full-time-equivalent teachers, down to 117.3. Since the numbers of both students and teachers are down, expenses should be down, too. That should allow more funds from the current budget to be applied to basic maintenance of the schools. In fact, you and I take care of our homes, our condos, and even our apartments out of our yearly budgets. Why can't Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District do the same? School bonds are much like mortgages, in that they have to be paid back, in full--plus interest. Lots of interest. Interest payments that don't go to teachers, libraries, computers, maintenance, etc. Is this the best use of your tax dollars? If your answer is "no," please vote NO on Measure L. You can be for schools, for students, for teachers, and against Measure L. For more information: http://www.SVTaxpayers.org/mt-pleasant s/ John W.S. Roeder President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association s/ Edward Leo Wimmers Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

This latest bond tax (Measure L) from the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District tries to use the state budget crisis to grab unearned money. The district just got a $95 per parcel tax increase in 2010 and now they want another $25,000,000 more. Homeowners already feel the pinch of difficult financial times. With the Santa Clara County unemployment rate "officially" at 8.8% (the national average = 8.3%) and the real rate that includes people who have stopped looking for work much higher, Measure L will hurt everyone. The district has been getting an extra parcel tax since 2010 while enrollments are DECLINING: 2,963 in 2008-9 down to 2,593 in 2010-11. The number of teachers has declined from 146 in 2008-9 school year to 121 in the 2010-11 school year. District revenues have increased from $81,566,213 in 2008-09 to $85,054,676 in 2010-11 while both the number of students and teachers are declining. If the district has fewer student and fewer teachers, shouldn't expenses be down? Families' budgets are being slashed throughout the district's homes--why not in this school district? This bond measure will inhibit the recovery of home prices in Silicon Valley. The measure proposes to "make schools safe from asbestos". Yet a $12,000,000 bond measure passed in 1998 said it was to be used to remove "asbestos". How can you remove the same asbestos twice? Here are the student enrollment figures and average teacher salaries: 2010-11 enrollment: 2,593 - teacher average salary = $66,203 - statewide average = $67,388 2009-10 enrollment: 2,753 - teacher average salary = $66,420 - statewide average = $67,531 2008-9 enrollment: 2,963 - teacher average salary = $66,596 - statewide average = $66,351 Tell the Mt. Pleasant School Board to be fiscally responsible by voting NO on L For more information please visit us at http://www.svtaxpayers.org/mt-pleasant s/ John W.S. Roeder President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association s/ Edward Leo Wimmers Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County Rebuttal to Arguments Against It's a shame that the authors of the argument against Measure L are misleading voters with distortions and mistruths. We know the truth. That's why we're voting YES on L. The fact is, the State hasn't funded repairs for neighborhood elementary schools in decades--there is no other source of funding. Citizen oversight and annual audits ensure that every penny of previously voter-approved funding supports student achievement in the classroom. Yet, these funds cannot be spent on facilities--that is why Measure L is necessary. View the Citizen Oversight Committee Reports here: http://www.mountpleasant.k12.ca.us. Over 14 years ago, voters in our community approved a limited and specific list of repairs to the oldest elementary schools and classrooms with a 79.6% YES vote. Always fiscally responsible, the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District secured state matching funds to maximize bond projects, which were completed on time and on budget. Now it's time to complete another list of repairs and upgrade our schools with 21st-century technology. The truth is, Measure L can only be used for critical repairs and improvements to our schools. A specific project list ensures all funds are used for voter-approved purposes. No funds can be used for administrators' or teachers' salaries, benefits or pensions. No funds can be taken away by the State Citizen oversight and annual audits are required Measure L qualifies our schools for future state matching funds Local elementary students deserve safe and modern classrooms to continue success in reading, writing math and science. Join us---vote YES. s/ Peter Skinner President, Citizen Oversight Committee s/ Thomas L Kearns C.P.A. s/ Manny Barbara Vice President, Silicon Valley Education Foundation s/ Jose L Guitron La Perla Restaurant, Owner s/ Jim C. Cogan Former President, Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent, Mount Pleasant Elementary School District

To: The voters voting in the November 6, 2012 election on the question of the issuance of $25,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Mount Pleasant Elementary School District. You are hereby notified in accordance with Section 9401 of the Elections Code of the State 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 2013-2014), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is the following: $.03000 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $30.00 per $100,000. 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 first 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 estimated future growth, is as follows: $.03000 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $30.00 per $100,000. First fiscal year after last sale of bonds: 2025-2026 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 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 estimated future growth, is as follows: $.03000 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $30.00 per $100,000. Year of highest tax rate: Tax is projected to be the same every year. The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The date of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on its need for construction funds and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of sale. Actual future assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process. Accordingly, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as above stated. s/ Mariann Engle Superintendent Mount Pleasant Elementary School District

Full Text of Measure L

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District. "To facilitate math, science, reading/writing programs in local elementary/middle schools by upgrading classrooms, removing asbestos and hazardous materials, repairing dry rot, termite and structural damage, upgrading wiring and fire alarms for safety, repairing deteriorating restrooms, replacing leaky roofs, and acquiring, renovating, constructing classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, shall Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District issue $25,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators' salaries/pensions/benefits, and all money benefiting local schools?" PROJECT LIST The Board of Trustees of the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District is committed to safe and secure schools with upgraded classrooms, libraries, science labs, restrooms and technology systems to keep pace with 21st century learning standards. The Board evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size and computer and information technology and prepared a Facilities Needs Assessment and Master Plan ("Master Plan") dated May 2012 and incorporated herein and available at http://www.mountpleasant.k12.ca.us, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input in developing this Project List. Teachers, staff, community members and the Board have prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive to address. Therefore, in approving this Project List and the Master Plan, the Board of Trustees determines that the District should: (i) renovate 40-year old restrooms that are so deteriorated, many children do not use them; (ii) make schools safe from asbestos and other hazards; (iii) repair dry rot, termite and other structural damage to our schools so children are safe; (iv) repair or replace leaky roofs; (v) upgrade old wiring in order to bring our schools up to current safety standards; and (vi) adhere to specific FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as: (a) Sacramento must be prohibited from taking any of the funds raised, (b) All expenditures must be subject to annual independent financial audits, (c) No funds can be used for administrators' salaries and pensions, (d) All funds must be subject to local control, (e) An independent citizens' oversight committee must be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent only as authorized. The Project List includes upgrades and improvements at the following schools: August Boeger Middle School Ida Jew Academies Mt. Pleasant Elementary School Robert Sanders Elementary School Valla Vista Elementary School School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects Goal and Purpose: Since protecting quality education in local schools and the health, safety and security of our children on campuses requires renovating, repairing and upgrading outdated school buildings, bathrooms, classrooms, computers, technology, school libraries and equipment to give all children have the resources they need to learn and stay up-to-date with the latest advances in technology and education, local schools will benefit from projects including: Repair or replace old leaky roofs. Make schools safe from asbestos and other hazards. Upgrade old wiring in order to bring our schools up to current safety codes. Replace 40-year old restrooms and toilets. Replace old, inefficient heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems. School Health and Safety and Energy Efficiency School Projects Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values and reduce maintenance and operating costs, returning more money to the classroom, schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of health and safety projects, such as: Student Safety Replace antiquated fire alarm and safety communication system. Upgrade schools to meet accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities. Repair or replace unsafe playground equipment. Improve parking and traffic circulation for student safety. Energy Efficiency - Returning Savings to the Classroom Replace old and inefficient windows, lighting, irrigation, heating and ventilation systems which waste money and use the savings to prevent cuts to teacher and instructional programs. Install energy efficient systems to save money and return the savings to the classroom. Academic and Instructional Technology and Wiring Projects To Continue Improving Student Achievement Goal and Purpose: Since some school buildings are over 50 years old, schools, technology and equipment need to be updated so that our school district students have the same opportunities as others to succeed. Improved computer technology will allow teachers and students to use up-to-date teaching methods and enhance instruction in core academic subjects: Provide or upgrade science labs at the middle schools. Provide updated classroom computer technology. Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, Internet and network connections. Construct a middle school gym/performing arts center for students and community use. Upgrade classroom technology and teaching equipment to enhance instruction. Ensure that all classrooms, have up to date electrical wiring to support 21st Century technology. *** The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency, and escalation for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List also includes the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, environmental studies, construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, smart boards, sound projection systems, printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgrade voice-over-IP, phone systems, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment and software. The repair of school facilities includes, campus accessibility, utilities, and grounds, playground equipment, security fencing, hard court surfaces, shade structures for student assembly and protecting students from inclement weather during lunch, libraries, District support facilities, fire sensors; upgrade plumbing systems; athletic and play fields turf may be upgraded for safety and operational efficiency; renovate and paint interior and exterior building surfaces to extend their useful life; security, safety and communication systems and equipment; fire alarms and bells; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system upgrades; window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting); upgrade irrigation systems; improvements and furnishings and/or other electronic equipment and systems. The Project List also includes the refinancing of any outstanding lease obligations, or the bridge loans taken to initiate voter approved projects. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. In the absence of State matching funds, which the District will aggressively pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District may not be able to complete some of the projects listed above. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration and landscaping, may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, redirecting fire access, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the specific purposes identified herein. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projects. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL APPOINT A CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. No Administrator Salaries: Proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and school administrator salaries and other operating expenses.