Statements appearing in the official county voter information guide:
Argument Against Measure N
In March 2020, we East Side Union High School District voters rejected a $60,000,000 bond (Measure J) as too much. And in June 2018, we rejected a $343 parcel tax.
Did the district get the message: "NO MORE DEBT AND TAXES" ? Clearly, they did not.
Now, when soaring inflation has us making sacrifices in our family budgets, the district want almost 10 times as much from us! (More, counting interest costs!)
Can you believe that?
Budgets illustrate an organization's priorities. High priority expenditures are given a place in the budget.
East Side Union High School District's 2020-21 budget ($288,675,337) demonstrates the district's priorities, and the expenses identified in Measure N are low priority.
How do we know?
Because those expenses weren't given a place in the budget.
Do you agree they should budget more sensibly?
Since 2012, the district has won almost three-quarters of a billion dollars from us voters. Taxes are, and will be, being assessed and collected from us to cover principal and interest payments on that massive debt—for decades.
But the district wants more!
Yep—they want to saddle us with another $572million IOU, with 25-30 years of principal and interest payments, when they're steadily losing student enrollment—1,503 since 2016.*
Simply put, bonds are a debt inflicted on taxpayers—possibly three generations of taxpayers! Instead of "paying it forward," these so-called public servants would burden and borrow it forward.
Are academics the top priority in the district? Sadly, no:
29.76% of students are below grade level in English.
46.93% are below grade level in math.
(2020-21 school year) *
Vote NO and send this message to the district: Your priority needs to be our children's education, not costly indebtedness.
Tell the district, "NO MORE DEBT AND TAXES!"
Neighbors, please join us and VOTE NO on N.
Visit www.SVTaxpayers.org.
* Source: Ed-Data.org
Mark W.A. Hinkle
President: Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
Joe Dehn
Chair: Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
Elizabeth C. Brierly
District Homeowner/Resident
Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure N
In June 2018, we East Side Union High School District voters rejected a $343 parcel tax.
In March 2020, we rejected Measure J's $60,000,000 bond.
Now, with inflation decimating families' budgets, ESUHSD wants new loans of nearly 10 times more! (Double, with interest!)
Did ESUHSD hear our message: "NO MORE DEBT AND TAXES"?
Since 2012, we have granted almost three-quarters of a billion dollars.
But they want another bond, of $572,000,000, with 25-30 years of principal and interest payments, while enrollment is steadily declining—by 1,503 since 2016.*
Bonds are like mortgages that obligate taxpayers.
Would you obtain a mortgage to acquire a new PC? No: you 'd shop, plan for it, save, pay cash—and in 3-5 years, shop again!
Shouldn't ESUHSD's regular budget cover hazardous material removal, maintaining classroom technology, and increasing students' computer access?
What about plain old academics? Are 3Rs a high priority ?
Doesn't seem like it:
29.76% of students test below grade level in English.
46.93% test below, in math!*
(2020-21 school year)*
Whether or not that illustrates being "among the best in the state" as proponents claim, it's not nearly adequate for our teens.
Until COVID-19, the state wasn't fully funding districts to educate. What makes ESUHD think they can secure state "matching funds" for expenses that belong in the regular budget?
Neighbors, please VOTE NO.
Send this message to ESUHSD:
Your priority is our children's education, not costly indebtedness.
NO MORE DEBT AND TAXES!
Visit: SVTaxpayers.org.
* Source: Ed-Data.org
Elizabeth C. Brierly
District Homeowner/Resident
Joe Dehn
Chair: Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
Mark W.A. Hinkle
President: Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
Jonathan Fleming
CEO and Executive Director, Silicon Valley Public Accountability Foundation
Honor M. Robson
Chair, Libertarian Party of California