Question before the Voters

Background Information

Approval of Measure C does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the San Jose Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure C will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure C. The school district's proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

County Counsel's Impartial Analysis of Measure C

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

The San Jose Unified School District proposes to issue bonds not to exceed $165 million with maturity not to exceed forty 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 $165,000,000.00. The funds derived from the sale of the bonds would be expended to repair existing neighborhood schools; fix and replace deteriorating roofs, gas, sewer and water lines and heating, ventilation and electrical systems; wire classrooms and computer labs; renovate, construct and acquire classrooms; remodel outdated toilet and science facilities; and improve the safety and security of schools and playgrounds.

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 $165,000,000 San Jose Unified School District Bond Measure to Be Submitted at Election on June 3, 1997

An election will be held in the San Jose Unified School District ("the District") of Santa Clara County on June 3, 1997, for the purpose of authorizing the sale of $165,000,000 in general obligation bonds. The bonds would be payable from tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District.

The following information regarding tax rates is given to comply with Section 9400 to 9404 of the Elections Code. The best estimate of the tax rates which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which such rates would apply, based on a projection of assessed valuation based on information presently available from official sources, upon experience within the District, and other demonstrable factors, expressed as a rate per $100 of assessed valuation, is as follows:

First year after the first sale of the bonds (1997-98)	->	0.7 cents
First year after sale of the last series of the bonds (2003-04)	->	6.4 cents
Highest annual rate during the entire period of indebtedness (2004-05)	->	6.7 cents

The foregoing is based only upon projections and estimates which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those currently estimated, due to variations from the official projections and estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at any time, the interest rates on the bonds, and the assessed values in the several future years during which the bonds are to be repaid. The actual timing of the bond sales and the amount of the bonds sold at any time will be governed by the needs of the District and the then-applicable debt limit. The actual interest rates on the bonds will be based on the market tax-exempt interest rates at the time of the sale of the bonds. The actual assessed values during the several future years will depend upon the amount of taxable property within the District and the value of that property as determined in the assessment and equalization process.

Dated: March 10, 1997

LINDA T. MURRAY, Ph.D.
Superintendent
San Jose Unified School District

Argument in Favor of Measure C

All of San Jose's school buildings are old and need repair. They range in age from 25 - 50 years old. Roofs leak and old bathrooms smell bad. Plumbing and heating systems are deteriorating. Lighting, wiring and electrical outlets are inadequate in many classrooms. Many of our schools have never been significantly upgraded.

Some classrooms have old asbestos floor tiles that need to be removed. Others need seismic retrofit. There are some schools that don't meet current building and safety standards. These repairs and renovations are expensive.

Measure C will provide money to repair each of San Jose Unified's 42 elementary, middle and high schools.

All money raised by Measure C will stay in San Jose to benefit local children and neighborhood schools. By law, Measure C funding can only be used for school repair, not for administrators' or teachers' salaries.

An independent Citizens Oversight Committee will audit all Measure C projects to ensure funds are spent properly, and that repairs are completed on time and within budget. Measure C is needed to make critical renovations for student health and safety.

Measure C will fund:

• Seismic upgrades of schools and classrooms to reduce danger from earthquakes.
• Removal of hazardous material such as asbestos and lead paint.
• Replacement of aging, unsafe portables.
• Replacement of antiquated electrical systems, including providing safe outlets in classrooms, libraries and computer labs.
• Repairing leaky roofs and damaged ceilings.
• Providing compliance with fire, health/safety standards.
• Adding exterior lighting for student safety.
• Replacing outdated, 50 year old furnaces, heater and boiler.
• Renovating student bathrooms, including new urinals, toilets and sinks.

Vote YES on Measure C.

SUSAN HAMMER, Mayor, City of San Jose
STEVE TEDESCO, President, San Jose Chamber of Commerce
MARI JO POKRIOTS, President, SJTA
JIL MUSCO, President, PTA
REBECCA MORGAN, President/CEO, Joint Venture, Silicon Valley Network

Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure C

Providing 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 look for ways 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, but few think they have enough time to be involved.

Perhaps the education of children should start with educating their parents. Perhaps community action can entice non-participating parents into stronger bonds 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. And it costs a lot, lot less. No bonds required.

Vote "NO" on Measure C.

MARK W.A. HINKLE, Chair, Libertarian Party of California
PAUL J. RAKO, County Central Committee Member Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
JON PETERSEN, Northern Vice Chair, Libertarian Party of California

Argument against Measure C

Most school buildings appear suited to classrooms designed in the 19th century. Is it really appropriate to pay $165,000,000 to prop up the current approach to education? Can't we start moving into the 21st century?

That does not mean doing what we have always done. It means moving to a free-market educational system which will improve the quality of education while reducing costs.

Active approaches to learning require local control, parental involvement, and well trained teachers; however, the buildings that house schools are among the least important factors in creating quality education.

Bonds are not free money. They must be repaid. Some school bonds could last up to 40 years! What a legacy to leave your children and grandchildren.

With interest charges, bond repayments would be well over the amount borrowed. Is that prudent?

Hasn't the school district built a reserve fund for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades? Throughout the state of California, close to half of all state taxes and local property taxes now go to schools--over $5,000 per student each year. Shouldn't that allow school districts to live within their means?

Remember: a bond can tax your children and grandchildren, too.

Vote "NO" on Measure C.

CHARLES B. WALKER, Vice-Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
DONALD J.R. CORMIER JR., Activities Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
JOHN COLLINS, Newsletter Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
JON PETERSEN, Secretary, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

Rebuttal to Argument against Measure C

There are a few things you should know about the people who signed the ballot argument against Measure C:

1. They aren't even registered to vote in San Jose.
2. Obviously, they haven't taken the time to visit our schools to see the conditions.
3. There is no evidence that they attended Community Task Force meetings where school repairs were discussed.
4. They have submitted the same ballot argument (word for word) against other school bonds throughout California.
5. They are members and officers of the Libertarian Party.

Here are the Facts:

On the average, San Jose's schools are 35 years old. Every one of them needs critical repairs for the health and safety of our students. Measure C will provide funds for the most critical improvements needed in the schools. These renovations and repairs, if neglected, will only cost more in the future.

Measure C funds can only be used for facility improvement and additional classrooms. By law, no money can be used for teachers' salaries or administrative overhead.

All funds will stay in our community to benefit local children.

Please vote yes on Measure C.

STEVE TEDESCO, President, Chamber of Commerce
MARI JO POKRIOTS, President, San Jose Teachers' Association
JIL MUSCO, President, PTA
BECKY MORGAN, President/CEO, Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network
RICHARD GARCIA, Vice President, Governing Board