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To improve educational opportunities for local residents, shall West Valley-Mission Community College District issue $268,653,300 in bonds at legal interest rates to construct, acquire, repair and equip classrooms, libraries, science/computer labs, facilities/sites, upgrade technology, improve safety conditions and accessibility for the disabled, upgrade fire, earthquake safety, lighting, electrical, energy conservation, ventilation/plumbing systems, appoint a Citizen’s Oversight Committee to perform annual audits and ensure that no bond money is used for salaries or administrative expenses? |
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Purchase multimedia and other equipment
for the Learning Resource Center/Library ·
Purchase safety, ergonomic and
instructional equipment for classrooms and work spaces, such as ergonomic
furniture and multimedia equipment ·
Repair and renovate student support
services building ·
Construct warehouse facilities for
equipment and storage ·
Reduce outstanding debt for High
Technology Campus Center ·
Construct institutional support
facilities West Valley College ·
Upgrade and expand the math and science
instructional facilities ·
Repair and renovate Administration of
Justice (law enforcement) instructional facilities ·
Construct and furnish technology center ·
Repair, renovate and upgrade existing
classrooms ·
Construct new classrooms ·
Replace aging portable classrooms with
permanent classrooms ·
Upgrade or construct job training
classrooms ·
Repair deteriorating roofs ·
Upgrade to electrical, plumbing,
mechanical, heating, ventilation, energy conservation, fire safety, and
security systems ·
Americans with Disabilities Act
required improvements ·
Seismic and structural improvements to
existing buildings ·
Safety upgrades to roads and walkways ·
Renovate, modernize, complete and equip
athletic facilities at West Valley College ·
Replace portable Child Development
Center facilities with permanent facilities ·
Upgrade the central plant for heating,
ventilation and air conditioning ·
Upgrade and expand the Learning
Resource Center/Library ·
Upgrade technology infrastructure ·
Renovate faculty workrooms and offices ·
Purchase safety, ergonomic and
instructional equipment for classrooms and work spaces, such as ergonomic
furniture and multimedia equipment. ·
Repair, renovate and expand Student
Support Center facilities ·
Purchase temporary classrooms to
accommodate construction ·
Reduce debt for information technology
systems, a telephone system and portable facilities for police services,
information technology services and general services department. ·
Construct institutional support
facilities The details
of each of the above-mentioned projects are set forth in each of the
Educational and Facilities Master Plans referenced above. The allocation of bond money may be
affected by the District’s receipt of State matching funds and final costs of
each project. The budget for each
project may be affected by factors beyond the District’s control. The timing of projects will be established
by the Board of Trustees after review by the Citizen Oversight Committee. |
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FULL TEXT BALLOT MEASURE E OF THE WEST VALLEY-MISSION COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT The
following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the West
Valley-Mission Community College District. To improve educational opportunities for local residents, shall West
Valley-Mission Community College District issue $268,653,300 in bonds at legal
interest rates to construct, acquire, repair and equip classrooms, libraries,
science/computer labs, facilities/sites, upgrade technology, improve safety
conditions and accessibility for the disabled, upgrade fire, earthquake
safety, lighting, electrical, energy conservation, ventilation/plumbing
systems, appoint a Citizen’s Oversight Committee to perform annual audits and
ensure that no bond money is used for salaries, administrative expenses? The Board of Trustees of
the West Valley-Mission Community College District has evaluated safety,
class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the
scope of college facility projects to be funded as outlined in both the
District’s West Valley College Educational and Facilities Master Plan, dated
February 16, 2001, and as shall be amended from time to time and the Mission
College Educational and Facilities Master Plan, dated October 2, 2001,
and as shall be amended from time to time, each on file for review at the
Chancellor’s Office: PROJECTS Mission
College ·
Main Building repair, renovation and
refurnishing for improved instruction, including new science labs, computer
labs, and safety upgrades ·
Repair, renovation and upgrade existing
classrooms ·
Replace aging portable classrooms with
permanent classrooms ·
Construct and furnish a new
classroom/instructional facility ·
Upgrade or construct job training classrooms · Repair deteriorating roofs · Upgrades to electrical, plumbing, mechanical, heating, ventilation, energy conservation, fire safety and security systems ·
Americans with Disabilities Act
required improvements · Seismic and structural improvements to existing buildings ·
Safety upgrades to road and walkways · Upgrade technology infrastructure |
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44-515
VOTER
INFORMATION PAMPHLET
MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to
your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors. |
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IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY
COUNSEL MEASURE E The
Board of Trustees of the West Valley-Mission Community College District has
ordered an election to submit to the voters of the District the question of
whether bonds of the District shall be issued and sold in the aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $268,653,300 for the purpose of raising money
for construction, acquisition, repair and equipment of school
facilities. A
“yes” vote is a vote to authorize the general obligation bonds to be issued
and financed by ad valorem taxes levied annually on real property in the
District. A “no” vote is a vote
against issuing the proposed general obligation bonds. As
authorized by Proposition 39, which was approved by the voters statewide on
November 7, 2000, in order for this bond measure to pass, it must be approved
by at least fifty-five percent of the voters voting on the measure. The
proceeds of the sale of the bonds will be used to carry out the projects
described in the ballot proposition. Resolution
No. 01112901 adopted by the Board of Trustees of the West Valley-Mission
Community College District provides that, if the bond measure passes, the
Board will appoint a citizens’ oversight committee, and will cause annual
independent audits to be conducted to ensure that funds are spent on the
school projects set forth in this measure. The
maximum number of years any bonds issued pursuant to Section 15100 of the
Education Code will run will not exceed twenty-five years and the maximum
number of years any bonds issued pursuant to Section 53506 of the Government
Code will run will not exceed forty years.
The Tax Rate Statement printed in the ballot pamphlet provides information concerning projections of the increase of the property tax rate on real property within the District. Since the interest rate on the bonds is determined when the bonds are sold, the exact amount of the tax increase can only be determined after the bonds are sold. DANA
McRAE, COUNTY COUNSEL By Jane M. Scott, Assistant County Counsel |
TAX RATE STATEMENT FOR BOND MEASURE E An election will be held in the West Valley-Mission Community College
District (the “District”) on March 5, 2002, for the purpose of submitting to
the electors of the District the question of incurring a bonded indebtedness
of the District in a principal amount not to exceed $268,653,300. If such bonds are authorized and sold, the
principal thereof and interest thereon will be payable from the proceeds of
tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information regarding tax
rates is given to comply with Section 9401 of the California Elections
Code. Such information is based upon
the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources,
upon experience with the District, and other demonstrable factors. Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District’s assessed
valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be paid through property
taxation: 1. The
best estimate of the tax rate that would be required
to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the
sale of the first series of bonds based on estimated assessed valuations
available at the time of filing of this statement is 1.407 cents per $100 of
assessed valuation (or $14.07 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal
year 2002-03. 2.
The best estimate of the tax
rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the
first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds based on
estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this
statement is 1.407 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $14.07 per $100,000
of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2008-09. 3. The
best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to
fund the bond issue, and an estimate of the years in which that rate will
apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the
filing of this statement is 1.407 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or
$14.07 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal years 2002-03 through
2008-09. Attention to all voters is directed
to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and
estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual timing of bond sales and the
amount of bonds sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the
District, the state of the bond market, and other factors. The actual interest rates on any bonds
sold will depend upon market conditions and other factors at the time of
sale. The actual assessed valuations
in future years will depend upon the value of property within the District as
determined in the assessment and equalization process. Therefore, the actual tax rates and the
years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently
estimated as stated above. s/ Linda G. Salter Chancellor West Valley-Mission Community College District |
44-516
VOTER
INFORMATION PAMPHLET
MEASURES, ANALYSES AND
ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to
your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors. |
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ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE E Over the past four decades more than one million students from
the Santa Clara Valley have benefited from the outstanding educational
opportunities offered by West Valley-Mission Community College District,
including West Valley College and Mission College. Unfortunately, aging facilities negatively impact
the quality of education, job training, career advancement and on-going
instruction for thousands of local college students. Facilities designed in the 1960’s and 70’s to meet higher
education needs are inadequate today.
Outdated classrooms as well as science and computer labs need
renovating. Safety and seismic
upgrades are needed. Aging energy,
electrical, plumbing and heating systems need attention and are costly to
operate. Repairs and renovations are
needed now to provide up-to-date classrooms, job training and educational
facilities. Measure E will rehabilitate
deteriorated educational facilities and add classrooms and instructional
support space to properly serve our community. Measure E will: ·
Repair campus buildings to meet
current health and safety standards ·
Renovate outdated classrooms, science
labs and job training facilities ·
Upgrade training facilities for law
enforcement, fire science and emergency services ·
Replace leaky roofs and 30-year-old
temporary classrooms ·
Upgrade electrical systems for safety
and improved access to technology ·
Add academic and job training
classrooms and instructional support space ·
Replace deteriorated plumbing and
sewer systems ·
Upgrade inefficient energy, heating
and ventilation systems All
funds raised by Measure E will stay in our community to benefit our
students. Passage of Measure E will
qualify our colleges for state matching funds when they become available. Independent
audits will be conducted annually and an independent Citizens Oversight
Committee will monitor all expenditures to ensure funds are spent properly. Measure E is supported by educators, business and
community leaders, students, parents and senior citizens throughout our
community. Please vote YES on Measure E. s/ Elaine Alquist, State Assemblywoman s/ Michael E. Fox, Sr., Community/Business Leader s/Joan Sarlo, Founding Faculty Member – West Valley College s/ William H. Cilker, Senior Citizen s/ Chris C. Constantin, Former Student/Trustee |
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF
MEASURE E This
ballot statement is intentionally deceptive and substantially
false. It never mentions the
amount of the bonds! They
don’t want you to know Measure E will cost you 715 Million dollars in
new taxes but generate only 248 Million for the West Valley-Mission Community
College District. This is beyond greed; it’s obscene. Their
ballot statement does not include the typical hardship exemption
for seniors on fixed incomes and other low income families. The
Citizen Oversight Committee would be appointed by the West Valley-Mission
Community College District. How could it be unbiased or impartial? Their statement suggests almost all the funds are for renovation and repair. Untrue! Actually, over 190 Million dollars will be used for repaying existing debt, new construction, an unspecified slush fund for “student support”, and additional athletic facilities (e.g., concession stands, light standards, amplified sound systems). They
claim “outstanding educational opportunities.” Untrue! District
academic performance has been deteriorating: Less than 4% of the West
Valley-Mission Community College District’s 26,000 students earn degrees
each year. (District Report 12-13-01). Did you know that 60% of those
students live outside our District? Proposed
projects were selected by marketing research surveys, not based on
educational need. ·
The West Valley-Mission Community College
District’s annual budget is over $100 Million per year. ·
Plus several million more per year in extra local
funding. ·
They already spend half their budget outside the
classroom! State
matching funds are a dream, not a certainty. Without them, this measure will
produce more unfinished projects and require more future taxes. Vote “NO” on
Measure E. s/ Charles Butterfield, Campbell Voter s/
Victor Monia, Former Trustee – West Valley-Mission College District s/
Adrienne Loo, Psychology Graduate Student – West San Jose Voter s/ Sandra Todd, Los Gatos Voter & Mother of West Valley College Graduate s/ Ann Waltonsmith, Saratoga City Councilperson* * for identification purposes only |
44-517
VOTER
INFORMATION PAMPHLET
MEASURES, ANALYSES AND
ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to
your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors. |
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ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE E Do not be fooled. This is not a $268,000,00
bond measure. This measure will cost residents $715,000,000 in extra
taxes! (Source The West Valley – Mission Community College District bonds
underwriter) Many families will pay $4,000 to $10,000 or more in new taxes. The real issue is District
mismanagement of money from tuition, fees, state allocations and rents: · Three
years ago, the West Valley-Mission Community College District “lost”
$3,000,000. District officials believe it was an accounting error, but aren’t
certain. · The
District Foundation’s treasurer was prosecuted for embezzling Foundation
funds. · The
last two external audits revealed inadequate safeguards for handling cash
accounts and lack of corrective action. · Unlike
other community colleges, the West Valley-Mission Community College District
receives over $3,200,000 per year from lease of surplus properties. ·
The last two years the State gave the District
$7,000,000 to improve academic programs. Sadly, the District’s academic
performance has instead deteriorated. Total degrees and certificates
granted have fallen 25% since 1997; the number of “transfer ready” students
has decreased 25% and basic skills improvement (reading and math) has dropped
10% since 1997. (Source: The Community College Chancellor’s Office reports). This tax measure was
approved at a “special” Board meeting with no advertising. Not one member
of the public was in attendance – no public hearings. ·
Even the Trustees never saw the project list
until that night. ·
Most projects are “guesstimates” – no detailed
cost analysis made available. With
a parcel tax, the District would receive one dollar for each dollar of new
taxes. Instead, these bonds cost residents three dollars for each
dollar the District receives, and the repayment obligation for taxpayers
is thirty-eight years! Vote
“NO” on this three quarter Billion dollar, new tax, bond measure.
This is greed, not need. This District has not been fiscally
responsible and its academic performance has been deteriorating. Send a clear
message – Unjustified spending of public funds must stop! s/ Charles Butterfield, Campbell Voter s/ Leslye G. Fazio, West Valley Homeowners Assoc. s/
Victor Monia, Former Trustee – West Valley-Mission Community College s/
Scott Runde, President – Primavera Homeowners Assoc. of Santa Clara s/ D.N. Davis, Santa Clara Voter |
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE E Measure
E opponents are deliberately misleading voters with inaccurate, untruthful
statements. Here
are the facts: West
Valley College and Mission College need major repair, renovation and
upgrading. Job training facilities are outdated and in some cases obsolete.
Although well maintained, these educational facilities need updating to
provide for ongoing educational needs of students who will transfer to four
year colleges and citizens needing job training and career advancement
courses. The
cost of this bond measure is small, about $14 per year per $100,000 of
assessed valuation (not to be confused with market value). This is tax
deductible. State
law requires a specific plan for use of these funds. Only repairs and
construction essential to maintain quality educational programs are included.
There are no frills, no expensive wish lists, no blank checks. By
law, no funds may be used to pay administrative salaries or benefits. Funds
can only be used for facility improvements. Passage
of Measure E will qualify our community for state matching funds that would
otherwise go to other community colleges in other parts of the state. Passage
of Measure E will ensure that our community colleges have the necessary
facilities students need to face the challenges of a competitive job market
and economy. Measure
E has earned the support of both Democratic and Republican leaders. Nurses,
police, firefighters, emergency medical workers, and those served by these
professionals, are some of the many Santa Clara Valley residents who will
benefit from improved community college classrooms and facilities. Please
vote yes. s/ Elaine Alquist,
Assemblywoman s/ Michael E. Fox, Sr.,
Business & Community Leader s/ Joan Sarlo, Founding
Faculty – West Valley College s/ William H. Cilker,
Senior Citizen/Community Leader s/ Chris C. Constantin, Former Student/Trustee |
44-518