Luther Burbank School District, Measure B Bond

	Luther Burbank School District, Measure B Bond

"To reduce classroom overcrowding, repair deteriorating toilets and bathrooms,
build, renovate and modernize classrooms and acquire land for expansion,
shall the Luther Burbank School District issue bonds in an amount not to
exceed $1.8 million at an interest rate within the legal limit?"

COUNTY COUNSEL'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE B


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

The Luther Burbank School District proposes to issue bonds not to exceed $1.8
million with maturity not to exceed twenty-five 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 $1,800,000.00. The funds
derived from the sale of the bonds would be expended to build, renovate and
modernize classrooms; acquire land for expansion; and repair deteriorating
toilets and bathrooms.

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 REGARDING PROPOSED
$1,800,000 LUTHER BURBANK SCHOOL DISTRICT
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS


An election will be held in the Luther Burbank School District (the "District")
of Santa Clara County on November 4, 1997, for the purpose of authorizing the
sale of $1,800,000 in general obligation bonds.  The bonds would be payable
from tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District.

In compliance with Elections Code Sections 9400-9404 the following information
is submitted:


The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to
fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds,
based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this
statement, is $0.0497 per 100 dollars assessed valuation for the year 1998-99.

The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to
fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the
bonds and an estimate of the year in which the rate will apply, based on
estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement,
is $0.0957 per 100 dollars assessed valuation for the year 1999-2000.

The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be
levied to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate
will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of
filing of this statement, is $0.0957 per 100 dollars assessed valuation for the
year 1999-2000.


These estimates would result in an average annual tax over the life of the
bonds of $89.07 for $100,000 of residential assessed valuation. This would be
equivalent to about $7.42 per month.

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 estimates are based
upon projections and are not binding upon the District. 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:  August 7, 1997

 

DONNA J. ELDER
Superintendent
Luther Burbank School District



ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B


Burbank taxpayers have had a 91 year history of supporting the education of the
students in the District. The students need your support again. Burbank is one
of the two fastest growing districts in Santa Clara County.

Students have outgrown their school.


Our District has grown 33% over the last four years.


The playground space continues to decrease because of the addition of portable
classrooms.


Students need more bathroom facilities.


Expansion at Luther Burbank School will benefit the entire community 
with:

* Needed facilities for community use.

* More open space and play area.

WE CAN DO THIS WITHOUT RAISING THE AVERAGE TAX IN THE DISTRICT.

On behalf of the children of Luther Burbank School, we ask for your YES 
vote on Measure B.

Thank you.


Sincerely,

PAUL MADARANG, Principal

CHARLES GRIFFITH, Luther Burbank Teacher Association President

KIM KUEBLER, Luther Burbank School District President

DONNA L. ELDER, Superintendent

BLANCA DIAZ, Parent


REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B


A 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  seek 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.  Perhaps community action can draw
parents into stronger ties 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.  No bonds required.

Vote No! on Measure B.


MARK W.A. HINKLE, Chair, Libertarian Party of California

CHARLES B. WALKER, Vice-Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Cty.

ELIZABETH C. BRIERLY, Secretary, Libertarian Party of California

MARIANNE E. PETERSEN, County Central Committee Member, Libertarian Party of
Santa Clara County



ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE B


HERE WE GO AGAIN

Measure B requests more money,  but would that improve the 
quality of education in this district?  Or would it simply prolong the
status quo?

Nearly half the state budget and half of your property taxes are  spent on
public education, yet many parents are concerned that the quality of public
education may be going down while the costs keep rising.

TOO MUCH BLOAT

Much  of  the  high  cost is because money needed  for teachers  and classrooms
can be siphoned off for expensive  frills.   Most  private schools  spend
considerably  less  per  student  and have  far  fewer administrators, yet
provide what many feel is a better education.

YOUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER

Lack of choice and lack of competition in the public school system  is directly
responsible for lowered quality.  Parents should be  able  to choose the schools
their children attend.   Just as competition  forces private industry to serve
its customers better,  the quality of  public education will improve once
schools must compete for students  instead of having guaranteed enrollments.

DON'T FEED BUREAUCRACY

Less  bureaucracy along with more choice and competition are  essential to
cutting costs and ensuring quality in our schools.  We owe it to our children,
our families, and ourselves to scrutinize funding requests to see if we are
getting full value for our money.  Providing funding with no guarantee of
performance does not improve anything.

BONDS COST MONEY

Bonds are not free money.  Your taxes,  and your children's taxes,  may be
paying them off, with interest, for 30 years or more.

Don't write the district a blank check.   Demand real improvements  to the
educational system before buying into another tax.   You are the 
customer.

VOTE  "NO!"  ON MEASURE B.


MARK W.A. HINKLE, Chair, Libertarian Party of California

CHARLES B. WALKER, Vice-Chair, Libertarian Party of S.C. County

ED WIMMERS, Campaigns Chair, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

JON PETERSEN, Secretary, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County

DONALD J.R. CORMIER JR., Activity Chairman, Libertarian Party of Santa Clara
County
Cover Page || Election Links
About Smart Voter || Feedback || Help