Menlo Park City School District – Bond Measure
Ballot Question
To upgrade Encinal, Laurel, Oak Knoll, and Hillview Schools, improve campus security, upgrade seismic safety, replace/repair aging buildings, acquire classroom air conditioning, and modernize learning technology, shall Menlo Park City School District's measure authorizing $123.6 million in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying approximately $18.60 per $100,000 of assessed value (raising $8.5 million annually) while bonds are outstanding, with annual audits, citizen oversight committee, no money for administrators, and all funds benefiting local public schools?
Type of Measure
Bond Measure
Explanation
This measure would authorize the School District to issue and sell bonds of up to $123.6 million to fund facilities projects on the Bond Project List, such as alarm systems, battery power systems, seismic upgrades, new classrooms at the Laurel Lower campus, and solar system expansion.
The tax rate needed to service the debt on these bonds is estimated to be $18.60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation and is expected to last until June 2055.
No funds would be used for teacher or administrator salaries.
A Citizens’ Oversight Committee will be formed to review the use of the funds, and an annual audit report will document the use of the funds.
Voting YES supports the school bond
Voting NO opposes the school bond
55% voter approval is needed to pass this bond measure
Arguments in Favor
The Bond is needed to raise money for building upgrades, security systems, air conditioning, and improved technology.
The Bond will qualify the District for additional government grant funding to leverage local dollars.
The funds will be used locally and overseen by an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
Support
State Senator Josh Becker, Assemblymembers Marc Berman, Diane Papan
San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee
Menlo Park Councilmembers Drew Combs, Jen Wolosin
MPCSD Board Member Francesca Segre
Ali El Safy, Christopher Koranda, Teresa Kwon, Liliana Perazich
Arguments Against
Endless rounds of bond sales by school districts are not the answer to improving education. Government bonds should not be used to pay for school buildings because the government should not build and run schools. Private alternatives, including homeschooling, can do a better job for our children at a lower average cost.
Opposition
Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, Mark Hinkle
