$81 MILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL BOND - JUNE BALLOT MEASURE Elections, posted by Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 9, 2012 at 10:12 pm SUMMARY OF BALLOT MEASURE "To improve the quality of education in local schools by replacing leaky roofs; performing essential safety repairs on classrooms and facilities; updating science labs; equipping classrooms with 21st Century technology; maximizing energy efficiency and water conservation to save money; and renovating, constructing and equipping classrooms and facilities; shall Cabrillo Unified School District issue $81 Million in bonds at legal rates, with citizen oversight, annual audits, no funds for administrators' salaries and all funds staying in local schools?" For those in our Community that were unable (or did not attend) last night’s School Board meeting, you may not be aware of the $EIGHTY-ONE MILLION DOLLAR (Yes, that did read $81 Million) School Bond Ballot Measure that will be coming up for you to vote to Approve (OR NOT). It does not say for how long in the above short version, but it was “mentioned" on a hand-out that is would be 25 years. (Suggested to be merely $45.00 per 100,000 of assessed valuation or approx $225.00 per year on an average $500,000 home which equates to a minimum of $5,625 over the Bond’s lifetime - but, I believe the assessment is raised each year as the Ad Valorem increases) If you are a Property Owner and feel that you are perhaps already over-burdened, it is incumbent upon you to exercise your voting rights this June. Normally there is a light turn-out in the June election. Should you be planning a trip away this June, I’d like to suggest you fill out a Vote-By-Mail form so that you will be pre-mailed a Vote-by-Mail Ballot. Link: Web Link VOTE-BY-MAIL They are really convenient, and can: 1.) Be dropped off early at the Election Office on Tower Rd, just off 92 at Polhemus, in San Mateo near the Crystal Springs Shopping Center. OR, 2.) You could even fill it out as soon as it arrives, and mail it back. You’ll be able to track that it was received by computer. 3.) Last, you can even drop it off at your Polling Location, instead of waiting in line to VOTE on Election Day! If you feel the extra money will be well spent over the proposed 25 year period, then you’ll also want to be sure to vote. Comments (26)

SHEEZE - $ 81 Million ..Not EIGHTEEN

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 9, 2012 at 10:16 pm

As rick Perry would say "OOOPPS!"

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 9, 2012 at 10:17 pm

Real good Cid.

Maybe, if you email Clay, he'll fix your title tomorrow.

Now, it's confusing. Looks like $81 Million isn't enough and $18 is being tacked on as a supplement.

You know, looking at it, perhaps, as long as the District is throwing in the kitchen sink on this, maybe rounding $81 million to $100 million would be best.

George, a resident of Half Moon Bay, on March 9, 2012 at 10:22 pm

I changed the title, because Cid asked me to.

Clay, Editor of the Half Moon Bay Review, on March 10, 2012 at 10:22 am

Clay- I am VERY thankful!

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 10, 2012 at 10:41 am

I see there is now a poll up on The HMB Review Web Site...whether (or not) you'll support the Bond.

Everyone should "Weigh in".

Web Link

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 10, 2012 at 10:43 am

Someone mentioned that not all Property Taxes are Deductible.

This fact would affect a Taxpayers decision so I looked it up The example is for a Santa Clara County Tax bill, but it explains clearly that the "special assessments" are not allowed to be deducted...only the taxes that are based on assessed value are deductible.

Here is the Link with the example:

Web Link

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 10, 2012 at 1:45 pm

The NOs! have my vote. Always have, always will...

John Gruver, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 11, 2012 at 12:29 pm

Thanks for the analysis and suggestions Cid.

marc, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 11, 2012 at 1:28 pm

Vote NO in the HMBR poll on this bond.

marc, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 11, 2012 at 4:01 pm

Is it possible that the $81 million dollar bond issue could be HMB's attempt to improve their town at the cost of the entire Coastside population? Vote No on this bond!

marc, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 12, 2012 at 9:57 am

Although both are funded with our tax dollars, the CUSD and the City of HMB are two entirely different entities.

The meat never touches the potatoes, marc. Each has their own Governing Board. Each has its own revenue stream. Each has its own expenditures. They are two entirely independent Agencies.

They both are Government Agencies, however. In that regard, they are alike. As one can plainly see, they are both in trouble. The reason? IMHO, it's because government is broken, regardless of the Agency; structurally broken - well beyond fractured.

Pick an Agency, any Agency. It could be here in HMB, on the coastside, within the County, across the State and of course in DC. Go ahead, pick one.

They're all the same in terms of how they are run and they're all in trouble. They all want more money and none are willing to address the structural issues.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tapped out.

George, a resident of Half Moon Bay, on March 12, 2012 at 10:12 am

"The meat does touch the potatoes". Take the swimming pool and the ball fields in HMB. The People on the entire Coastside would be paying for those improvements for HMB.

marc, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 12, 2012 at 10:18 am

I think what Marc may be referring to is that if a pool and a performing arts center are built on the school bond money they could be then touted as community assets if they are made available to the general public in the school off hours. I am still voting against it because it's disingenuous in trying to get community assets that way, on funds that should go strictly to education. It's kind of like the HMB city council trying to pay off the Beachwood fiasco with federal stimulus money. That's not what it was intended for and, in that instance, clearly illegal and they paid the fine for trying it.

precocious, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 12, 2012 at 10:23 am

I'd certainly support a 501c3 that raised the money...especially if the new facility was located outside the city limits and open to the public! The Clowns have already had enough "benefit" from our Tax dollars, be they Federal or State money and they blew it. I'd pay to fix a leaky roof over a kid's desk before I'd buy them a Trophy Pool.

Hand-outs beget MORE hand-outs.

I'm still paying on Measure E, aren't I?

Don't think you can come back to the well every time for my "Spare Change" each time there is a need. I'm sorry to say this, but Parents may have to pony up the $225+ per year Per kid if they truly want to see more teachers, dry desks and a fabulous pool when their kid gets to high school. Property owners are hurting, and it isn't fair.

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 12, 2012 at 3:21 pm

Although I don't have kids, IF this passes and IF all our community Tax money goes into building a performing arts facility and a pool (How nice) it seems only fair to locate those "Amenities" in El Granada on CSUD property there, because the burden on Mid-Coast parents (Montara-Moss Beach & El Granada) to drive their kids to Half Moon Bay is unfair. It's time for Half Moon Bay parents to shepherd their kids for a change. Put the facilities where they will be centrally-located for all to equally access. With the price of gas on the rise, this seems like a NO-BRAINER.

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 13, 2012 at 12:24 pm

I have kids. I took them out of CUSD and sent them to a good school. Paid for the bussing myself, too. Paid my fair share to "educate" other folk's kids in the CUSD too, and to bus them. Still do. That's OK. My problem with the proposed bond issue is that it has nothing to do with education - it has to do with things - and more money for the "educators."

Barnus, a resident of Montara, on March 13, 2012 at 2:22 pm

I agree. It's "to shield the money" from the State.

That's why I suggested a 501c3 do the collecting and not over-burden the property owners.

They can do the asking in the community and hold fundraisers, they could probably build the Pool faster than wasting time on a bond that won't pass.

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 13, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Web Link!

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 16, 2012 at 2:17 pm

Cid: "Put the facilities where they will be centrally-located for all to equally access." sounded great until I remembered I live at the noisy end of the HMB (?) airport... centrally located so Moss Beach and Montara shoulder to vast majority of the noise...

Oh, and vote NO! I will!

John Gruver, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 16, 2012 at 4:34 pm

I have been talking to many folks about the BOND and they just shake their heads. After all the name calling here on Talk About being labeled "selfish" etc. by Jim Larrimer, I was starting to wonder, but so far there are few who even have noticed what the CUSD has in store for them, and when I mention the propoed 25 YEAR long $$$81,000,000 MILLION DOLLAR BOND for a newer & better pool, a performing arts facility, solar panels and astro-turf, they shake their heads.

WRONG AMOUNT, WRONG TIME, AS PROPERTY OWNERS STRUGGLE, AND FOLKS IN GENERAL ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME MAKING ENDS MEET.

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 16, 2012 at 6:32 pm

Cid,

You have mad many excellent points. I agree with you. No on this school bond.

B Frank, a resident of a community outside of the area, on March 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm

my previous comment should have said made instead of mad, freudian,?

B Frank, a resident of a community outside of the area, on March 16, 2012 at 8:08 pm

People can't afford a $81,000,000 school bond. It won't pass since people are struggling in this economy. The school district should have asked for 20 dollars per $100,000. assessed value. The board made a glaring mistake.

marc, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 22, 2012 at 7:45 am

Marc,

I think their biggest mistake was pouring their "dream/wish list" into a bond for "needs".

This quote is from Charlie Gardner (Former CUSD Borad member?):

"We always dreamed of two gems for our community, a new pool, and a community arts center. With this Bond measure, they can happen. Just as important, basic facilty needs can be met to offset funds that can better be used for categorical programs. It gets a bit dicey on what the State allows, but it's always better to have the money in hand, than wait to see how much the next cut is going to be."

Cid Young, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 22, 2012 at 9:35 am

That's right, Cid. This school bond is mainly for the city of Half Moon Bay! It is deceptive and a glaring mistake.

marc, a resident of Moss Beach, on March 22, 2012 at 11:45 am