Pass: 1,042 / 68.5% Yes votes ...... 480 / 31.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Bonds Yes ________ Bonds No _________

Education Code section 15266 provides the measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote for the measure. Certain accountability requirements must be included in the measure.

The Board of Trustees of the Woodside School District has proposed this measure which would authorize the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $12 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in no more than 40 years.

Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3)(B) of the California Constitution requires that the District list the specific school facilities projects to be funded from the bond revenue and certify that the Board has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in the development of that list. The District's "Bond Project List" for the proposed bond is attached to the full text of the measure and can be generally described as follows: projects to construct a student services building and classrooms, renovate and expand sports fields, update wiring, improve handicap access, remove hazardous materials, replace furniture and equipment.

The measure requires the District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the sale of the bonds as set forth in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution and Education Code sections 15272 et seq. The District must appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on the listed school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize Woodside School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $12 million for: projects to construct a student services building and classrooms, renovate and expand sports fields, update wiring, improve handicap access, remove hazardous materials, replace furniture and equipment.

A "no" vote would preclude Woodside School District from issuing bonds of up to $12 million.

This measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

Over the years, Woodside has joined together to support needed renovations at Woodside Elementary School with the goal of maintaining and enhancing quality education for children of our community.

Measure D is a smart investment in one of our most important community assets which helps maintain strong property values for all.

Measure D will complete modernization work begun in 1999 so that Woodside School continues to be an asset for our entire community. Woodside School Trustees have skillfully managed the school and recent improvements.

Measure D provides the necessary funds to complete improvements to the school for the foreseeable future.

Construction and financial experts have developed a precise list of $12 million in needed improvements which are detailed in the Measure D project list, including:

· Construction of 14 new seismically safe classrooms (replacing temporary classrooms worn out with leaking roofs).

· Reconstruction of the student services building which includes a student & community meeting room, teacher work room, disability compliant restrooms and the school office.

· Campuswide renovations and improvements including technology wiring and required federal disability access measures.

· Removal of any hazardous materials, asbestos, lead or renovations for seismic safety discovered during construction.

The cost is less than $22 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) per home and is fully tax deductible. Bond financing spreads the cost among present and future homeowners.

Measure D builds in mandatory fiscal oversight. A Citizen's Advisory Committee will review and audit bond expenditures and report annually. Every dollar will be accounted for and no funds go to district salaries.

This is a smart investment (a small percentage increase in property taxes) that will maintain, and enhance, the value of our community. We support Measure D and urge you to join us in voting YES on Measure D.

Signed: Susan Boynton, Councilmember, Town of Woodside

Rob Flint, Board Member, Woodside Community Foundation

Bettina Pike, President, Woodside Elementary School Governing Board

Leslie Quist, Community Member

Tad Taube, Founder and Chairman, Taube Family Foundation

Yes! --but with good reason.

Thanks to revenue growth that has far outpaced inflation, our schools have plenty of money to work with.

In 20032004 (the most recent year for which data is available from EdData*) the District had $272,000 in revenue for the average class of
21.4 students, of which $72,000 was used to pay the teacher's salary and benefits. That left $200,000 per class for other spending, like new construction, if the District wanted to make that a priority, rather than spending so much on ancillary staff.

They have the revenue now. The trustees want a bond only to avoid the minimal work of setting priorities and working within a budget.

Vote `no'. They have plenty of money already.

• http://www.eddata. k12.ca.us/dev/District.asp

John J. "Jack" Hickey Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

Christopher VA Schmidt Retired Computer Professional