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Measure G – Morgan Hill Unified School District (Nov. 2012)
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Election - November 6, 2012
Santa Clara County
Measure G:
Morgan Hill Unified School District
Bonds ($198.25 million)
Morgan Hill Unified School District
Bonds ($198.25 million)
SVTA recommends a NO vote
against Measure G.
against Measure G.
To improve student access to computers and modern technology and provide a quality education, repair or replace leaky roofs, upgrade old plumbing, heating/cooling systems, classrooms and outdated restrooms, upgrade fire safety, maximize energy efficiency, improve handicapped accessibility, and modernize, construct and acquire classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, shall Morgan Hill Unified School District issue $198,250,000 in bonds at legal rates, with citizen oversight, annual audits, no funds for administrator salaries and all funds spent on local schools?
You may read the Full Text and Impartial Analysis of Measure G here.
| Argument in Favor of Measure G |
Argument Against Measure G |
|
Everyone knows the importance and value of having quality schools. From higher achieving students, to training for future jobs, to greater neighborhood safety and improved property values, quality schools do make a difference. While State government continues to cut funding for public education, we need to do more to protect and maintain the quality of education at our local schools. This is why Morgan Hill USD students need your YES vote on Measure G. Although our schools have been well maintained over the years, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century standards. The average age of our schools is nearly 40 years old. Measure G would allow the District to improve outdated school facilities and the quality of education provided to local children. By investing in our schools, we can meet today's safety, technological, and educational standards. Measure G will improve Morgan Hill schools by:
Measure G makes financial sense and protects taxpayers.
Measure G upgrades and renovates inadequate classrooms, improves the education of local children, and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE G! Dennis Kennedy Loritta J. Johnson Ron Woolf Kirsten F. Carr 20-year Local Business Owner, BookSmart |
When school boards put bond measures like Measure G before the voters, they are admitting that everything they are currently spending your tax dollars on now is more important than the projects for which this tax increase is being sought. Budgets set priorities. Morgan Hill Unified School District is saying every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than "remediation of hazardous materials" and "upgrades to installation of effective fire alarm....systems." Do you agree? The website: http://www.ed-data.k12.ca.us shows at least 9,620 students in the district, which means the bond expense is $20,608 per student not counting interest costs and repayment of principal. When you buy a home, truth in lending laws require you be informed about the real cost of buying a home. Shouldn't consumer laws apply to bond issues too? For example: Borrowing $198,250,000 and paying 3% interest for 25 years means annual payments of $11,281,440 in principal and interest for a total lifetime cost of $282,036,000. As a consumer, you deserved to know the full truth about measure G. Instead of paying $11,281,440 (principal & interest) every year "to meet current safety codes", 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 $11,281,440 a year on children's safety and health in the schools. 2. Spending $11,281,440 a year to fund tax shelters for big banks, investment brokers, and the rich. If you value children's health and safety more than funding tax shelters, vote NO on Measure G. If you value school maintenance more than making interest payments for 25 years, vote NO on Measure G. For more information: http://www.svtaxpayers.org/morgan-hill John W.S. Roeder Edward Leo Wimmers Mark W.A. Hinkle |
|
Rebuttal to |
Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure G |
|
When school boards put bond measures like Measure G 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 increase is being sought. Budgets set priorities. Morgan Hill Unified School District is saying every educational dollar spent today is going to something they consider a higher priority than "remediation of hazardous materials" and "upgrades to installation of effective fire alarm .... systems."
Do you agree? Education Data Partnership (www.Ed-Data.K12.ca.us) shows the District's enrollment declining from 9,620 students during the 2009-10 school year, to 9,532 during 2010-11. And the number of teachers has declined from 418.6 full-time-equivalent teachers, down to 381.6. Since both students and teachers are declining, expenses should be down. 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 the Morgan Hill Unified School District do the same? School bonds are much like mortgages, in that they have to be paid back, in full--plus interest. Lots and lots of interest. Interest payments that don't go to teachers, library books, computers, maintenance, etc. Is this the best use of your tax dollars? If you answered "no," please vote NO on Measure G. You can be for schools, for students, for teachers, and against Measure G. For more information: http://www.SVTaxpayers.org/morgan-hill John W.S. Roeder Edward Leo Wimmers Mark W.A. Hinkle |
Measure G funds will go right where they're needed--to improve Morgan Hill USD classrooms and support Morgan Hill USD students.
Don't let our opponents mislead you. They don't have the facts. They don't all even live in our community. Here are the facts:
The State has stripped essential funding from local schools: $15.7 million since 2008, including $1.2 million so far this year. Our schools do an outstanding job despite shrinking budgets, but aging fire alarm systems must be updated, outdated science labs and libraries must be modernized, and classrooms require 21st Century instructional technology to provide Morgan Hill USD students modern skills. Measure G is the only solution for our schools. The longer we wait, the more expensive these improvements will become. Measure G protects quality education in local schools. Strict accountability provisions guarantee all funds will be spent only on voter-approved projects. Every dollar will stay in local schools and can't be taken by State government. Our students deserve a quality education. Join us--vote YES on G. Ron Woolf Kirsten F. Carr Cinda L. Meister Loritta J. Johnson Dennis Kennedy |
Paid for by the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association PAC.