-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Measure J – Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (Nov. 2012)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Election - November 6, 2012
Santa Clara County
Measure J:
Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
Bonds ($125 million)
Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
Bonds ($125 million)
SVTA recommends a NO vote
against Measure J.
against Measure J.
To improve neighborhood schools by removing mold and asbestos; fixing leaky, deteriorated roofs; replacing inefficient/ aging heating, ventilation, and electrical systems to save money; improving fire safety/ security; updating computer technology/ science labs for 21st century learning; repairing aging restrooms; and acquiring, constructing, and repairing sites/ facilities, shall Alum Rock Union Elementary School District issue $125 million in bonds at legal rates with required independent financial audits, citizens' oversight and no money for administrators' salaries?
You may read the Full Text, Impartial Analysis, and Tax Rate Statement of Measure J here.
| Argument in Favor of Measure J |
Argument Against Measure J |
|
Vote YES on J to repair and modernize local schools in the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District to ensure that all students learn in safe, modern classrooms. Measure J invests in a better future for all students by providing access to 21st century science and computer labs. Many local schools are 40 to 74 years old and desperately need repairs. Measure J removes mold and asbestos from our schools, fixes leaky, deteriorated roofs, and completes many other needed repair projects. Measure J replaces aging, inefficient electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, saving Alum Rock Union Elementary School District hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in utility and maintenance costs - money that can be put back into the classroom to improve academic instruction in core subjects. Vote YES on J.
Every penny of Measure J will be used to improve local schools.
Measure J invests in our students' future, providing them with the science, math and computer skills needed to succeed in high school, college and or the careers of the 21st century. Measure J creates local construction jobs and pumps millions of dollars into our local economy, supporting our local businesses. JOIN PARENTS, TEACHERS, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. Vote YES on Measure J. Nora Campos Frank Cortez Julie Ramirez Jocelyn B. Merz Veteran and Senior Citizen |
When school boards put bond measures like Measure J before the voters, what are they saying? They are admitting that everything they are spending your tax dollars on now is more important than the projects for which this tax hike is being sought. School budgets reflect priorities. Alum Rock Elementary School District is saying every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than removing "mold and asbestos; fixing leaky, deteriorated roofs" and "updating computer technology". Do you agree? The website http://www.ed-data.k12.ca.us, reports 13,060 students in the district, which means the bond's actual expenditures are $9,571 per student not counting interest and principal repayment. When you buy a home, "truth in lending" laws require you be told the real cost of buying that home. Shouldn't consumer laws apply to bond issues too? For example: Borrowing $125,000,000 and paying 3% interest for 40 years equals annual payments of $5,369,760 in principal and interest for a total lifetime cost of $214,790,400. As a consumer, you deserved to know the full truth about Measure J. Instead of paying $5,369,760 (principle & interest) every year to remove "mold and asbestos" or "fixing leaky....roofs and for "up-to-date computers", your educational dollars will be going to big banks, investment brokers, and other wealthy people to be used as a tax shelter. Is this the best use of your tax dollars? What's more important to you: 1. Spending $5,369,760 a year on "updating computer technology." or 2. Spending $5,369,760 a year to fund tax shelters for big banks, investment brokers, and the rich. If you value "updating computer technology" more than other people's tax shelters, vote NO on Measure J. If you value removal of "mold and asbestos" more than making interest payments for 40 years, vote NO on Measure J. Want more? http://www.SVTaxpayers.org/alum-rock John W.S. Roeder Edward Leo Wimmers |
|
Rebuttal to |
Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure J |
|
It was three short years ago that voters passed the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District's Measure J to sell up to $179 million in bonds to fund improvements to our neighborhood schools, fix leaky roofs, improve fire safety, upgrade classrooms, update computer technology, and renovate restrooms. Now the School District is back again asking for our approval to borrow another $125 million in bonds to fund exactly the SAME school improvements, using exactly the SAME arguments. The School District always uses the same arguments to try to scare us into voting for more debt or higher taxes. This time we should say NO. The School District still is working on Measure J projects and should prioritize its spending to make sure the students - our children - are safe and secure and receive a great education. Allowing the School District to borrow even more money will not make our schools better; it will just increase the money going to pay debt service instead of providing a better education for our children. We remember 2009's Measure J. We don't need more debt for our schools. Vote NO on Measure J. You can be for schools, for students, for teachers, and against Measure J. For more information: http://www.SVTaxpayers.org/alum-rock John W.S. Roeder Edward Leo Wimmers |
Do nothing. That's what the authors who oppose Measure J--who do not live in the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District--recommend we do to protect and improve our local schools. Dozens of community leaders, homeowners, teachers, parents, and business leaders disagree. Now is the time to invest our children. Measure J repairs local schools in the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District. It provides funds to remove mold and asbestos from our schools, and fixes leaky, deteriorated roofs. Measure J replaces aging, inefficient electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, saving Alum Rock Union Elementary School District hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, putting money back into classrooms to improve academic instruction in core subjects. Many of our schools were built between 40 and 74 years ago. Measure J ensures all students learn in safe, modern classrooms. It provides access to state-of-the-art science and computer labs providing students with the science and math skills to succeed in high school, college and careers of the 21st century. Every pennyof Measure J must be used to improve local schools.
Finally, Measure J creates local construction jobs and pumps millions of dollars into our local economy, supporting our local businesses. JOIN PARENTS, TEACHERS, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS in voting YES on Measure J. Xavier Campos |
Paid for by the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association PAC.