With one week to go until the election, the conversations are heating up about the Mount Diablo Unified School District’s Measure C.
Below is the text on Measure C from the Contra Costa Elections Division.
To support quality education and safety for local students, and reduce impacts of State budget cuts by improving science, career and technical education facilities; upgrading classroom instructional technology; repairing leaky roofs; improving safety; maximizing energy efficiency including adding solar panels and modern air conditioning; and repairing, replacing, equipping or modernizing other school facilities; shall Mt. Diablo Unified School District issue $348,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, with independent citizen oversight, audits, and no money for administrator salaries?
Those against Measure C say the $348-million bond will end up costing taxpayers about $1.87-billion throughout the next 40+ years.
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Go ahead and talk about it! Let us know what you think!
{ 146 comments }
Bring back music, art, GATE program, lower classroom size! Solar panels, that is last on my list!! I may be biased because our school has air conditioning (paid for by the PFC) and we don’t have a leaky roof, but it seems odd to be thinking about voting for these things when good teachers are being let go and our kids are not getting the programs or individual attention that they need. I see the need for this, but now is not the time!
Sorry, I don’t care to give one penny to the MDUSD. I know the system needs it, but until I can be confident that they will spend it properly, we’re just enabling more bad behavior. We don’t need something to treat the symptoms, we need medicine that will CURE us.
I tried to clean up the campus as a local MDUSD school, it was filthy. I was told not to do it, because if I did the custodians would file a grievance that I was taking away their opportunity to work. Even if I cleaned the campus myself, the grievance would require the principal to pay the custodians ANYWAY. Until things like accepting volunteer labor when the district is in dire straits is figured out, I’m not giving them a penny.
I work for MDUSD. I see too much money wasted everyday. Lights on 24hrs a day, water leaking 24hrs a day etc.
Seriously this is the solution? Solve today’s problems with tomorrow’s dollars. Wow. Anyone who votes for this needs to be willing to go home and tell their kids “I don’t find your education important enough to pay for it myself so you will be paying for it for the rest of your life.”
No offense, but this sounds like all the greedy banks giving out the high risk, high interest, zero down loans. And the morons who took them living beyond their means.
We all know how those financial decisions turned out…
This would be good for the schools and businesses doing the work (not the students).
I agree the students need these things as well but not at this cost.
There needs to be a more open, better thought out plan then this.
Ironically, if it were to pass, these students will be the ones paying dearly for it as tax payers later in life.
no one filed anything against it for the voter information pamphlet. they must not hate it that much
My vote stays NO
Stop wasting the money first. But please don’t copy the City of Concord, they just showed us how what NOT to do.
Wow. 50/50 with 98 votes so far. This will be a close one.
I will vote no. Enough spending money we don’t have. Cannot borrow your way out out financial crisis. And frankly any administrator that supports this needs to go also.
Gonna have to cut costs and control spending just like the rest of us.
You people obviously don’t like your children enough to provide a climate controlled learning environment for them. I’m sure your children will have no issues paying for A/C for the next 40 years lol Those class rooms are so awesome when it’s 100 degrees out and no breeze. Lights are left on you say? Well lets upgrade those old systems to something that will turn itself off if no one is in the room. The money in these bonds go to exactly what it says repairs, improvements and upgrades. On top of that these school bonds provide local workers with much needed jobs. So if you hate your children and your neighbor vote no… lol
Voted NO!!!
If the money went to the teachers then I would have considered it.
How about we get all the highly overpaid athletes and actors to pony up 1/4 of their pay. We could solve a lot of our school problems with that kind of money.
“with independent citizen oversight”
Picked by who? Are the Good OLE Boys are still in town ??
Pfft. It’s so bad, that four of the people who were on the committee to get it passed have dropped out of the program.
Even they say it’s so bad it shouldn’t pass. And that’s from the insiders.
Nope. Not gonna pay for this one for 42 years.
MDUSD apparently has more money than they know what to do with! They have paid workers who chase runners from the old PH High track, lock the gates, water the fields when it rains, etc! When is “enough enough”? EVERY ELECTION THEY CRY POOR MOUTH. It is always some excuse. Our neighbor, Lafayette’s famous school district with their “FOREVER TAX”….do you want that here? I think MDUSD looked over the fence and saw how the scam in Lafayette worked for them!
Our MDUSD is TOO BIG, TOO TOP HEAVY.
Break out, form a Pleasant Hill/ Walnut Creek School District! It would be top notch!
Oh…sorry, I forgot. THEY won’t allow it because it means giving up their “empire”.
VOTE NO NO NO NEVER NOT AGAIN YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!
AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS PAY, NOT RENTERS.
The calculations on the interest derive from the concept that all the money is financed immediately. Not likely to be the case, but whenever you extend out the years of repayment the interest related to the original sum goes through the roof.
Additionally not discussed was various strategies to alter the debt ratio by earlier pay down. For example, we are going to add 12,000 dwelling units with the Base Redevelopment at an average of 200,000 per unit that would make an additional 1.44 million to come in say starting 15 years from now. That might make a dent in the back end costs.
Nevertheless the cost is high and the technique is poorly explained and I remain torn on the issue. The problem really is that we all need that what the district needs is direct infusion to the General Fund and we are damned by the 2/3rds rules from doing that so the district has to resort to these sort of facilities bonds to get money and avoid the 2/3rds restriction.
Wife and I already voted NO. This is a transparent and ill-conceived measure.
Hmm, do I want to fund yet another “bailout” for unions?
Gotta say NO.
Hey, isn’t Gary Eberhart a construction/union guy? Maybe even buddies with Greg Feere?
Just thinkin’ out loud.
Anon 4:20
I know for a fact that it is not the MDUSD making this law, it is Labor Law. If a job has been eliminated and workers laid off, volunteers can not do the work. I specifically asked this question. But I do know we have community clean up days on our school campus and they were approved by the district. There are proper channels that need to be gone through.
Wife and I already voted YES. This is a transparent measure with a positive purpose.
I voted yes, unlike the other issue this needs a simple majority, >50%
The school district has only one true skill, crying poor. There is more money wasted, misappropriated and stolen than used appropriately. There is a serious need for school leadership that is not corrupt and teachers who can teach. The parents need to be actively involved in their children’s education taking the responsibility for the child’s education and development.
There are some good teachers in MDSUD, there are far too many poor teachers.
I know of no good administrators, from the lowest admin clerk to the head of the board, all are corrupt. I would rather see an independent audit of all funds in the district with criminal penalties for misappropriations and loss of jobs for poor judgement.
We as citizens spend far too much money on taxes to see it wasted frivolously. Those who are in charge have to take the responsibility for their actions and pay the penalties. There can be no forgiveness or leniency.
Anon 5:19
Great comments. There will be an oversight committee for this Bond and yearly independent outside audits. MDUSD had an excellent track record on the prior Bond. The districts energy bills alone are over $3 million a year, if improvements and upgrades are made to facilities and energy costs are significantly reduced, then that allows money in the General Fund to be used for programs for our students. This is just one small example.
I remember attending community meetings after the last Bond Measure passed and the needs of our school site were discussed, prioritized and written down. What this means is that the list Mr. Pederson has produced is not set in stone, the community, school sites, students and parents will be able to give their input too. But I know right now there are real needs, such as fixing leaky roofs, upgrading lighting so they do turn off at a certain time (great idea), upgrading techology, etc.
Our household of 4 have our absentee ballots and will be mailing them all with YES ON MEASURE C.
According to County’s Election site (http://www.cocovote.us/Election.aspx?eid=23), this measure will require a 55% majority to win.
Vote No. I think we need to decrease the educational system in California – the less our young people are educated the greater the supply of uneducated workers for lower wage jobs and that will allow employers to drive down wages – which means lower prices for the goods those of us who make decent money – and we can then purchase more stuff!!!
It seems every election there is a bond or measure for the schools to get more money. It never stops!! If we ended up with quality education by using math, reading and writing, that would be different, but we are teaching children that if the answer is wrong, it’s okay as long as it makes one feel good about themselves.
David 5:54
Re:” There are some good teachers in MDSUD, there are far too many poor teachers.
I know of no good administrators, from the lowest admin clerk to the head of the board, all are corrupt. I would rather see an independent audit of all funds in the district with criminal penalties for misappropriations and loss of jobs for poor judgement. ”
I have been a teacher in this district for 16 years and I know A LOT of really good teachers….teachers who give everything they have to help our students. I also know a
lot of really good administrators. No one will agree w/everything their administrator does, but until you walk in their shoes and look at the big picture, you might want to refrain from such generalizations. Maybe you need to get around more!
No way. I am not giving one red cent to the MDUSD no matter who they say is going to “oversee” it. These people have demonstrated time and time again an inability to manage money. Perhaps if this money was going toward the teachers or something substantial I would be willing to change my mind. But air conditioning and leaky roofs is not something we should be spending money on right now when good teachers are being let go.
I voted yes because my mama is a teacher
Tis a piss poor community that cannot maintain their own dang schoolhouses…….
15
Making the very great assumption that future boards will actually pay down the debt ahead of schedule.
of course renters pay……owners pass this on by raising the rent. duh.
There is already a similar bond in place, but it is due to expire soon. This is just an improved version that will continue helping the schools. If you think the schools are in trouble now, wait til this gets yanked out of their budget, too. The same $60 that each property owner is paying now for that older bond measure will stay the same. We all have to live in the same world with the kids that are coming out of the school systems. If the school’s resources are being zapped for building maintenance instead of quality teachers that instill good qualities that some children may not get at home…we all benefit, whether our own children are already done with school or if we have none of our own, etc…
What do some of you dolts not get about the fact this will end up costing over $1.8 BILLION?
I guess you fools aren’t happy enough with the fact CCC’s “pay as you go” approach has created a debt obligation JUST FOR HEALTHCARE BENEFITS of current & future retirees that is greater than 5 LARGER counties: Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Sacramento, and Alameda. COMBINED.
Whoopee! So who the hell cares about adding another couple billion on to future taxpayers, right?
No, and if anything, there should have been something on the ballot trying to save our teachers. If we ever get to a a hey day again that should be the time they bring this up. Not when unemployment is the highest it’s ever been in our state. We make less money but we’re supposed to give more money for buildings when we see the waste in the district. Those of you voting Yes on C, did you read comment #3? That should tell you alot.
When the parcel tax was on the ballot, everyone was bitching that the money would go to teachers. Now everyone is bitching that it does not go to teachers. The reality is that this measure is the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. Facilities and more general fund relief than would have come from Measure D (the parcel tax of last June).
We voted no and we work for MDUSD. If is was going towards us (teachers) they we would vote yes.
They are laying off the good teahers. Ms. Tsuruda, 2nd grade teacher at Delta View is an excellent teacher. She has the old style of teaching for such a young teacher. I really like her and so do the other parents who kids are in her class. It’s too bad the the district doesn’t see this.
LimeRidgeLarry said:
“It seems every election there is a bond or measure for the schools to get more money. It never stops!! If we ended up with quality education by using math, reading and writing, that would be different, but we are teaching children that if the answer is wrong, it’s okay as long as it makes one feel good about themselves.”
As a teacher, I agree! We are told to spend so much time on improving “self esteem” because the powers-that-be fhave forgotten it comes automatically when students have actual skills they can use and be proud of.
As for the bond measure: It’s hell teaching in a stifling hot room, with just a PFC provided fan, but I can’t see putting SO much debt onto these students in the future
I’m always amused by those bond statements that say the funds won’t be used for salaries. They can just shift money around.
Picture the current budget as a red pot of money and the bond proceeds as a blue pot of money. Normally they pull money out of the red pot for maintenance, but now they can take it out of the blue pot. That leaves money in the red pot and they can do whatever they want with it, including using it for salaries.
The district cannot afford to run the air conditioners. So we install them and then what? I stand by my belief that there is plenty of money. It is the misappropriation and mismanagement of the money that is the problem. Our family is having to learn to do with less just like so many of us. Every business I know is doing the same. That is the ones that have survived. The money needs to start at the children and go out from there. The district is in the business of educating children. It is time to do that.
I am tired of hearing the whining about cuts. Stand up and be heard! Insist that the district be held accountable for the way monies are spent. Please go to your local schools and see what is going on. The waste is criminal.
The teachers need to be able to do the job of teaching our children. Unfortunately the union that was set up to protect the teachers has become a tool to keep the incompetent and mean teachers while the good ones are laid off.
This district would be much more successful if the jobs were based on merit. I am so tired of the crap the district office feeds us. I say cut the dead wood. All of it. And keep the people that are interested in making this the distict it should be.
Once again money is not the issue. Management or the lack thereof is the issue.
No more. And are they doing background checks on the people that are doing the work right next to our children? Obviously not because I saw a violent felon working right next to the kindergarteners at our school. Verified it with the PD. How many more?
One more thing while Im at it
I believe it is illegal to discuss this with the children at school especially in the classrooms. They are there to learn. It is the districts job to handle the budget. I am asking the Superintendent and Board Members to put a stop to the practice of asking minors to take part in an adult discussion. They are at school to learn. Grow up and leave the children out of it!
The schools have enough money they just need to learn to budget and get rid of the frivolous spending. How about no more “teaching seminars” in Monterey ?
I’m a strong supporter of schools, but I am sick and tired of debt. I was happy to vote YES on Measure D, and I will happily vote YES on any measure that will raise funds to improve our schools. I want to bring back music and sports, I want to reduce class size, and I want to modernize our school buildings. Borrowing money does not raise funds, it just creates further future obligations with no new way of paying for it. We need to raise taxes and stop living on borrowed time (and money).
I got a letter today from a parent of a kid entering kindergarten, but I don’t know at what school. Anyway, the letter said the principal passed out information on Measure C during the kindergarten orientation. Who thinks that’s a little risky to do during school hours?
Ok people, some of you are seriously mis-informed.
This is not 60.00. This is 60.00 (up to) PER 100,000!!! FAR more than the parcel tax ever would’ve been. So if you live in a 600,000 house, let’s do the math shall we? That is 360 per year. So why are you all willing to vote for this but not Measure D which would’ve been a flat 99.00 ?? I don’t understand you. Then someone said you’re voting yes because your mom is a teacher? Just how will your mom be helped? Serious question.
Mayor they probably had “informational” flyers. They can pass out “information” just not vote yes or no type flyers. So they were probably within their rights to do so. Information ok. Propaganda on how to vote no.
And to the yes on Measure C person who said this is transparent? Ask the principal of your school site if they had a part in “the list.” I bet no. Ours didn’t. Look at the list to see if your school even needs the things on the list, ours doesn’t. Look to see the studies on the solar; costs, bidding process, security, ROI, where, when, how, why and the studies that back their assertions of the millions in studies – they aren’t there. Will this solar project go out to the best bidder? Will it only be union? Who chooses? Who will be on the oversight committee? Considering some of the original Measure C oversight committee have defected from this, it makes you wonder.
Just ask why they are doing this measure, because it’s easier than a parcel tax. They think we’re stupid folks. They know a simple majority will always vote for the kids, so they knew this might be an easy pass.
This was not the right answer. A parcel tax could’ve passed. IT IS COMMON that districts fail a parcel tax once and go back and win again… we didn’t even TRY! I’m so disappointed in this process right now.
Why not break up that huge white elephant MDSD?
Something that large is difficult to fund and even more challenging to keep track of and disburse needed funds. With so many hands out wanting/needing money someone/thing is bound to get missed.
Divide it into smaller divisions, easier to control spending and less management to pay.
Mayor
I believe that is illegal. And it shows just how little regard some /many in the district have for doing the job they are supposed to be doing. We are well aware of the measure and it is an insult to our intelligence to force thier agenda on us. Orientation is about being informed about the policies, expectations of teachers, parents and students and a way to be sure students and parents are prepared so that they can get to the job of learning when school starts.
Once again they need to do thier jobs and leave politics at the street no exceptions. I would love to see Gary do something about this.
I really can’t believe all of the misinformation. I love the district employees who say that they are voting against the measure. That is very clever. Have you not been listening? If the district doesn’t pass this bond, they will have to cut an additional $30 million from the budget over the next three years. I guess the good news is that if that happens, we won’t have to worry about our kids being exposed to employees who are so incredibly. I hope that the bond passes. Our family is voting for the bond. We are Republicans and would prefer not to pay additional taxes, but the district has already cut so much. This is really not a liberal vs. conservative thing. Our kids deserve all the help that we can give them and this bond will help a lot.
Stop spewing the misinformation and vitriol. If you are against the measure and you are going to make statements about the district, back those statements with facts or keep them to yourselves. Your BS is not helpful and no one believes the lies that you spew.
I will vote no, this time. I want to see which schools are shut down by this time next year. Then I want to see how the district will handle the safety and security of these solar panels, so vandals don’t tear down what will be very costly to put up.
I don’t work in an air-conditioned office. The district is foolish to start school so early, when air is needed. Start after Labor Day, and you cut the need for AC.
And next time, don’t have the last day of school of a Monday. Really. Dumbest move ever.
Everyone should check out the Crazy in Suburbia blog on this issue. Board member Sherry Whitemarsh openly admitted that funds freed up by this bond will be used for salaries.
Decades of throwing more and more money at the problems with the educational system has failed to accomplish anything positive. The Board of Education and it’s administrators are so used to feeding at the public trough that they know no other way to operate. It’s long past time for a clean sweep of the selfserving deadbeats. Eliminate the protections provided by the long outdated tenure/seniority system. Encourage good teachers by tossing out the ineffective teachers who drain money from the system and drain energy and insperation from the students. Educators, by virture of their profession, have no incentive to improve their efficency. They get out of school and then enter the profession without ever developing a sense of what it takes to function in a world where efficency counts. Why not, they are not profit motivated so status-quo is the rule. They complain about conditions and constantly have their hand out. I could write more on this hosed-up system but I’m tired and getting more angry. I’m glad my children are no longer in school.
To everyone stating that MDUSD mishandles money, please give me some facts, links to articles? I am very curious to see this information before I vote next week.
All of these people who are voting “no” need to learn how proposition 13 actually works and how it basically de-funds all of our neighborhood schools. Our only hope to start bringing our Diablo school quality back and to start funding things at a normal level is to pass Proposition C. I can’t believe there are sane, normal people who can even consider voting no against it — a few dollars on your tax bill pays you back big time in property value.
I guess you’re new in town? The history of MDUSD and fiscal irresponsibility go hand in hand. Look up Gary McHenry in the dictionary and see what it cost to make him go away, then look up IRS fines and see how many hundreds of thousands of dollars the MDUSD spent on just fines alone, then look into teacher’s unions and see how much it cost MDUSD due to poor negotiating, and then check into the site custodians and see how much they pay those losers to do nothing but complain when a volunteer wants to help, then check out the board at a meeting and admire their new matching laptop computers, and then enjoy the new attorney for the district spend his recent raise in the face of layoffs, and then….
you get the idea.
I already voted and I voted no on this. MDUSD is continuously crying poor for one reason or another. The voters told them last election to learn to live with within their means. What did they do? Reworded their cry for more money and put it on the ballot again. NO you are not getting more money from the tax payers. If you half to cut another 30 million to live with in your means then do it. Go back to teaching 1+1=2 and not what ever makes the child feel good about themselves. Teach the kids that the school district needs to live within there budget just like they will have to when they grow up. Stop teaching our kids to hold out there hands for entitlements from the tax payers whenever you think more money is needed. Teach our kids that when economic times are good one must put money aside the get through the next economic downturn. Teach these things by setting the example .
Voted No. I didn’t want to be an enabler.
This will cost way too much in the longrun and do nothing to fix our problems. Above person is so right. I saw the district could have spent $8700 to fix a problem they were going to need to anyways but decided to spend over $200K but bought themselves more time. There is no making sense to these people. I remember a man who stood up and told the district how to save a bunch of money and he worked in accounting just so the district could shut him up his job became in jeoprody. I watched the district spend 250K plus in legal fees instead of fixing the playground. If we put the money toward the kids we would be better off but this district can never seem to do the right thing by the kids.
Sorry about the post above I misused “there” when I should have used “their” twice, and “the” should have been “to” once. Proof reading is not always 100%
WORK IS GONNA BE DONE PLA. LOWEST BIDDER? I THINK NOT.
MEASURE C – SHOULD WE ALLOW UNIONS TO OVERCHARGE MDUSD FOR WORK THAT MAY OR MAY NOT REALLY NEED TO BE DONE? HAH. NO AND A HALF.
Anon 11:55,
I assume you are talking to me, so I will reply. No, I am not new in town. I have been a Concord resident for over 15 years. I am fully aware of the Gary McHenry years, and the cost to get rid of him, a price well worth the outcome.
The IRS fines were reduced to less than $200 when it was proven they were erroneous. I am aware of the the attorney raise, and agree that it was not a good decision by any means.
Many people are making claims of mismanagement, but I just want to see specifics.
My vote is NO!
Per pupil spending is already outrageous, the money is there, they just need to learn how to live within their means.
I am a teacher in MDUSD. The school where I work is falling apart, infested with cockroaches, the roof leaks in my classroom. Janitorial service has been cut back every year I’ve taught for 10 years straight to save money.
As much as everyone wants to blame McHenry and the DENT center administrators, public schools are an extension of the public will and are part of our responsibility. Current students see the run-down conditions of the schools, and they get the message. We, the voting public, are responsible for the shape our schools are in, not some faceless “they” in government. I’m disheartened to see so many virulent anti-measure C posts. By letting the schools get worse we’re not teaching the district administrators any lessons — they get paid the same whether it passes or not. We are, however, sending a powerful message to the current student body: We don’t care about your schools.
At Walnut Acres, the pta president continues to send out “informational” emails telling the parents how to vote. So I agree with Mr. Mayor’s note at 10:07 about this being risky. There was a pta meeting at our school where a lengthy discussion about this measure took place and the very next day an email was sent out to the parents of the pta at our school saying what the purpose of measure c was and why it was good to vote for it. Nowhere in the email did it address any of the contrary points that had been brought up in the meeting the previous night. I really think the people (whether it’s teachers or those in board positions at schools) need to be very careful with their “informational” emails and flyers. This is borderline harassment. We’re all capable of making up our mind and tactics like handing out brochures or sending emails propogating only one side of the issue is irresponsible.
I cant believe they are thinking of putting solar cells on the schools roofs.
You know they never thought that they will have to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep them working. And how many janitors do we have per school? Has anyone looked into the condition of the roofs and when they will need to be replaced or serviced? expense of removing then replacing the cells to do the work. What about all the balls kids throw on the roof, Damaged cells that need to be replaced. What about security to prevent theft of them? I have done evaluations for other buildings and the average true cost for payback on the cells is usually between 20 and 25 years when you actually figure in alll the hidden costs that the sells men do not disclose. This is a major waste of money that should be spent directly on the needs of the teachers and students.
I have a 2nd grader and soon to be Kindergartener going to Westwood. I thought we aleady pay enough taxes towards the schools. Sorry, but I am a no. my house payment just went up $40 because my property taxes increased for what ever reason this time. NO NO NO. You can’t squeeze any more juice out of this turnip.
Voted no:
If you are so concerned about teaching by example, please learn the difference between “there” and “their”, so your children won’t make the same mistakes you do.
Mayor, they sent home a flyer with my 4th grade child as well.
I read it. Then crumbled it up and threw it away.
It’s another example of how money could be spent better.
What did it cost for them to make thousands of Xerox copies and send them home with all the children?
Starve the beast!! No more funds until all these agencies get their acts together. It will never happen. There are volunteers out there willing to help, but not allowed to do so.
I don’t care if the money is for teachers or maintenance/improvements: The answer is still a big, fat, NO.
48 Wishing People Were Smart
Scare Tactics. Does anyone really think we will see any significant changes to – EDUCATION – with the passing of this Bond? Will test scores improve, moral improve, class size go down, school supplies appear, teachers be hired (or not be fired)? Oh, but we SHOULD get some cost saving from solar. I get that we need to do something, but we shouldn’t do something that isn’t fiscally sound, just to do something.
The district should focus on a clear, well documented parcel tax. Measure D was not communicated clearly. There were concerns from voters that money would be spent on admin salaries, sports programs etc, and not on EDUCATION.
I will vote Yes if teachers pay is increased, strict dress code & corporal punishment administered. It works.
My vote will be a no, No, and HELL NO!
What the District needs is sound fiscal management.
Wife and I voted yes. As long as our kids are in the MDUSD we need to provide them with the best tools possible for them and future generations.
save the teahers!!!
haha! no pun intended when i spelled “teachers” wrong…perhaps that should serve as an example that *I* needed better “teahers”?!
We voted NO and we have a daughter at MDUSD in Pleasant Hill.
already voted no…….voters do not get how much this is going to cost over the long run. And how much this will cost each individual taxpayer….it is not just $60….agree with above do the math……..if district was run correctly they would have budgeted for maintenance…..I’m sure as heck going to give them more money.
10:05 AM,
Technically you passing a bond is not you providing your kids. You are signing your kids and grand-kids up to pay for the improvements to the school. If you want to improve the school make a donation. Don’t pass the burden of your “generosity” on to future generations.
If we buy students 3 thousand dollar ergonomic massage chairs, provide them with gold-plaited Mont Blanc pens, install under-desk refrigerators stocked with brain-food, hire Michael Jordon to teach P.E., and Stephen Hawking to teach physics, we will still have a generation of poorly educated, socially inept, overweight-video-game-playing drains on society. Throwing money at schools has proven itself time and time again a poor way to help our children learn.
Why is that you ask? Too many parents have handed the responsibility of raising our children over to our schools, and unions have forced us to accept terrible teachers. I know, some are fantastic, and I applaud them all for even trying, but many were not cut out for this gig.
I can buy a treadmill, a lap pool, a weight bench, a bicycle, and hire a trainer, and none of that will make me fit unless I actually work-out. Throwing money at problems is often the last ditch effort of the truly desperate (I know this because my garage is full of exercise equipment, and my love handles are livin’ large).
Three yes voters in my house.
#50
Obviously full disclosure is not part of your agenda. I said that when general fund $ were saved because we could lower expense such as PG&E then we could bring back programs. How do I bring back a program such as 20:1 in 1st grade? I have to hire a teachers. Teachers have a salary.
Please show me a program that I could bring back that would not cost $. I’m interested in learning.
For the concerns about PTA or PFC, they are not under the same rules and regulations as the school district.
Guess what folks??????????? There is always admin cost. No matter what they say there is always admin cost for bonds. Don’t believe everything thing they say…THERE WILL BE ADMIN COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#48 Wishing People Were Smart –
The misinformation lies with you.
“If the district doesn’t pass this bond, they will have to cut an additional $30 million from the budget over the next three years.”
This statement is completely untrue. Budget cuts affect the general fund. The general fund pays for programs, music, sports, teachers, smaller class sizes, etc… Parcel tax proceeds can go directly to the general fund and ease the burden of budget cuts. Proceeds from a bond can only be spent on facilities and equipment. Proceeds from a bond can take care of deferred maintenance like leaky roofs (capital improvement paid for with capital funds) but can not pay for ongoing maintenance (expenses) which must be paid for through the general fund. This bond measure will do very little to help with any projected budget cuts. The district will pay off some old bonds and leases and will eliminate $1.4 per year in debt service from the general fund for the first 15 years of this bond. It hardly seems worth paying $1.87 Billion for this. A $99 parcel tax would bring in $7.4 million per year with no additional interest costs.
#35 Anonymous
Just more misinformation.
“The reality is that this measure is the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. Facilities and more general fund relief than would have come from Measure D (the parcel tax of last June).”
No analysis has been presented in any board meeting or on the MDUSD website regarding the projected revenues, expenses, time line, or return on investment with the solar project. In fact, Mr. Strange, Mr. Eberhart, Mr. Pederson, and Mr. Lawrence have all quoted different projected revenues for the solar project. No one has publicly addressed the expenses related to maintenance, repair, replacement, insurance, and security. Who will administer this program at 51 sites? These costs are considered expenses and should be projected as expenses to the general fund. Is there an analysis?
#32 debdvo
All I can say is WHAT? An improved version, you’ve got to be kidding. The $60/$100,000 of assessed value is a maximum for the 2002 Measure C bond. Taxpayers have never paid the maximum; they have paid $41 – $49 per $100,000 of assessed value. This bond will raise our tax rate to the maximum and extend this bond out until the current Class of 2010 is 60 years old and at a cost of $1.87 BILLION to our community. All of these “improvements” will be long gone and future generations will be trying to fund their own education needs while still paying for ours.
NO on Measure C
So, 10:05 a.m. (no. 79) I guess that the legacy you’d like to leave to future generations is a whole set of facilities and assets that have allowed to lapse into serious disrepair because we, as current “owners” weren’t willing to borrow any money in the present to invest in maintaining and improving them. (Not to mention investing in the primary goal: the quality education of the next generation of taxpayers! Because yes, the environment we ask them to learn in every, single day does matter.) We want it both ways: we can’t possibly entertain the thought of burdening current tax payers with higher tax payments in this economic climate, and god forbid we should stretch out payments and at all burden those who will be inheriting these improved assets in the future. Something tells me that the future owners of these assets aren’t really going to be thanking you all that much for your thoughtful consideration in not “burdening” them when they get a look at the price tag for having to rebuild educational facilities completely themselves in future dollars, a price tag certain to come with much higher interest rates for borrowing than those historically low rates currently available right now.
Anon 1:45 pm
We passed a bond measure in 2002 for facilities. Measure C has been providing upgrades for years. Until this district decided to try to fund a large solar project with an irresponsible bond we did not hear anything from our district leadership about “serious disrepair”… the drama just continues with this campaign.
This bond had a lot of support in February when the polling was done so this is not about a community that does not want to support education it is about a community that wants its district leadership to act responsibly and communicate with truth rather than scare tactics and spin.
Is there a third option such as “HELL NO!”
Nicely put 2:43.
I am tired of the scare tacticts and sky is falling cries on this. There is this mentality that if you don’t support this bond you don’t support the schools or children. I don’t support it because – from the information that is out there right now – this is much too costly over the long term for a very near sighted short term gain.
Tell me what this Bond measure will do for EDUCATION in the next 2 – 5 years. How many teachers can we hire with the savings to the general fund. How many classes can be reduced in size with the passing of this Bond. How many special ed teachers and aides can we hire.
The big selling point of this Bond is Solar and the enegry bill savings. But what kind of savings is the district looking at versus what the community is paying – 1.8 Billion.
Anon 2:43 (#86)
Where have you been? I have heard and seen what the needs are in our facilities. Yes a Bond Measure passed in 2002 and upgrades did happen. The oversight and audits were great, the management was excellent and the district was able to receive matching funds on some projects. Community and school site meetings happened after this Bond was passed and lists, needs and wants were made up (teachers, administrators, students, parents and community members were in attendance). The lists made up by Mr. Pedersan can and most likely will change with each sites needs. But there are very pressing needs, do we leave roofs leaking? Leave boilers that are not efficient and many times can’t heat gym lockers and classrooms? Continue to educate kids in classrooms at 90-100 temperatures ? Ceiling tiles falling down in middle and high school gyms? Old plumbing and electrical? Many upgrades with reduce energy costs, thus less of a drain non the general fund. I like the idea of solar, San Ramon School District is installing it. Other districts have, Kohl’s has it too. I love the idea of lights that shut off by themselves (would love those in my home with all my forgetful teens), up to date technology and the wiring to support it. Big wishes of performing arts centers at all high schools and how about pools that possibly the community could share too?
I have not heard scare tactics or spins and I attend as many meetings at our local sites (community meetings) as well as at the district level. I also don’t try to find the negative in everything. Since the parcel tax did not pass, the option was to go forth with Measure C. At the time the community said they would support a Bond over another parcel tax. All my concerns and questions have been answered on Measure C and every day I see the need in many facilities. Many of our schools are over 40 years old. I know in my home we are going on round 2 of bathroom replacements, landscaping repairs, just put a new roof on, just painted our home again, replaced the heater, air conditioner, water heater, upgraded insulation for better temperature control and now need to upgrade plumbing and electrical. My home is 32 years old and many of these repairs are not the first time, let alone having 500 to 2000 people living in it… We also borrow against our equity to do the upgrades knowing our home and family are worth it.
Please be specific on what scare tactics and what spins. I would like to see facts with links.
Yes on Measure C for our children and community
“It is no secret that state budget cuts have taken a serious toll on our local schools in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, serving Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Bay Point, Martinez and Pittsburg. Students, parents and teachers are doing everything possible to protect quality education despite these challenges. Measure C won’t solve every problem facing our local schools, but it will provide critical support to local students at a time when state funding is increasingly unreliable.
Vote Yes on C to: Upgrade science labs with up-to-date equipment and technology; add and improve classrooms and labs for career training and vocational programs, so local students can get the skills and training they need to compete for jobs in the 21st century; replace old, leaky windows and doors, add air conditioning and make other basic repairs needed at local schools that were built in the 1950s and 1960s; improve classroom instructional technology across the district, which will support teaching reading, writing, math and science, and protect local schools ability to offer advanced classes with modern curriculum needed for college preparation; improve energy efficiency through solar technology and other upgrades that will cut costly utility bills by more than half ¬ creating vital savings to help minimize teacher layoffs and protect academic programs; qualify for state matching funds to help repair and improve our local schools.
Best of all, not one dime of Measure C funds can be taken by the state. All funds will be spent to improve local neighborhood schools right here in our community. Measure C funds will be subject to independent citizen oversight and annual, public audits to ensure funds are used only on voter – approved projects.
Measure C is a chance to support our local schools in the face of drastic, ongoing state funding cuts”
To the school board and the expensive lawyer, can ya hear us Yet?
Anon 4:00pm
Big wishes of performing arts centers at all high schools and how about pools that possibly the community could share too?
Here is my first example of spin. I didn’t even have to try very hard.
Anon 4:00
Did you know that San Ramon has spent a year and a half vetting the solar idea? Did you know that they have had community meetings in order to collaborate with their stakeholders on this issue? Did you know that they have provided their community with a spreadsheet and time line that provides information on revenues, expenses, and the return on investment? Did you know that they have a faq sheet to help educate their community? They did all this before voting to go forward. In addition, they are going to put solar on a few school sites first and they are using low interest bonds and paying the debt back over the first 17 years of the project. That is an example of a responsible project.
Anon 4:19 (#92)
Those would be my wishes and I will convey them when the community meetings happen after the Bond passes. Why is it a spin? Everyone has dreams and wishes. It is your spin that needs tweaking.
Anon 4:28 (#93) Did you attend any of the community meetings in February or March within MDUSD? Did you ask questions, make suggestions on what you want to see? I did and feel I have the information I need to vote yes on Measure C, so are my spouse and adult children. Has San Ramon passed a parcel tax and what is that cost?
Anon 4:39
I attended more meetings with respect to this issue than you could imagine and yes you can be assured I made my wishes, thoughts, and concerns well known.
San Ramon, would they consider teaching our board how to run a school district?
We three voted yes. Those who say they vote no for the kids are full of it.
Those who are now for paying more for teachers who complained about the parcel tax are full of it.
Years from now, I’m sure our kids will thank us for not saddling them with the debt from this measure, but they probably won’t have the education to know what it all meant anyway.
More likely, they will ask why we didn’t give a shizzle about them or their schools, not why they are being asked to pay money to support their schools.
To answer the question, I’m voting no. Now I have a question. I thought that money from the CA lottery was supposed to go toward helping out the schools here. What is happening with that money?
Disappointed Measure D didn’t pass. Couldn’t believe people wouldn’t even vote. Especially homeowners. Property values are down as it is. People aren’t going to move here now. I, for one, wish I had purchased a home in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Lafayette, or Danville. Luckily, my last child is almost through. Although, she may have to go to DVC or LMC to take some courses that were dropped by Clayton Valley High School. It’s a shame. Now there is Measure C. Why can’t there be a measure to ensure saving good teachers, saving Music, Art, Sports, and electives needed for entrance to college? These are tough times and getting tougher. I feel for our youth and what they will have to put up with in the future. We are circling the drain, people. Unfortunately, California is in trouble. It won’t matter if there is air conditioning or solar panels at the schools. There won’t be any police officers to patrol the streets let alone watch out for the solar panels…..No wonder people are moving out of state.
Lottery money is less than 2% of school budgets. It just does not generate much money. San Ramon’s solar project will barely break even, if it even does. MDUSD’s, assuming this bond passes, will generate over $100 million in benefit. San Ramon is using CREBS, which MDUSD has too, but using them is simply not economical. The cost of repayment and interest essentially uses all of the savings, making the project break even at best. MDUSD’s benefits the general fund to the tune of millions per year. Anyone who has paid attention at all knows the difference.
“I thought that money from the CA lottery was supposed to go toward helping out the schools here.”
Created another state agency, lotto vendors got payback for campaign contributions and we got an unofficial “tax” on the financially illiterate.
Paul,
Why don’t you provide us with the numbers that substantiate $100 million in benefit. We would like to see the revenue, expenses, time line, and yes the return on investment. You constantly put down the San Ramon project. Have you ever taken a finance class? Just because the money comes from the taxpayer doesn’t mean you don’t have an obligation to factor it into the return on investment. Without doing that calculation you are working in a vacuum and can not make an informed decision as to the best use of our money. The fact that San Ramon doesn’t do much more than break even speaks volumes to the fact that this is a bad investment for MDUSD where the interest rate is higher and the term is longer. Anyone who pays attention at all knows the difference.
I have decided to vote no, for many reasons at this time. I worked hard on Measure D and will do so again if they/we ever go for another PARCEL tax that will actually save programs and teachers. Having said that… I’m getting so curious. I know several of these board members, and I’ve listened to them and been involved for years. So to all of you who are voting no, and probably many of you know more than I do and have run more numbers and done more research. So, I ask the following, with these assumptions. (you may disagree, but it’s not the point, it is my belief). My assumption AND belief is that these board members care about our kids, and they care about our schools, they get a lot of grief and must be sick to death of the jobs they’ve signed up for with so much work and so little thanks. BUT having said that… why do they think this is a good thing? Are they standing to gain personally from the passage of Measure C? What is in it for them? They are smart people. I honestly believe that too. They aren’t even able to refute much of the “no” evidence I’ve seen, read and heard. WHY? Why are they so in favor of this. Sherry said something like it was the best we could do, or all we have now or something to that effect. Others have likened it to the easiest way to get a school funding measure passed is with a bond vs. parcel tax. BUT WHAT IS GOING ON? Why are these SMART, CARING, and well read board members in support of this. PLEASE board members, no rhetoric about how we need to do something because from where I stand, even if this passes next week you’ll still be chopping millions from the budget.. in the short term, this will not solve anything and in the long term, well the cost is toooooo great from where I sit . Who benefits? I just can’t wrap my brain around why these board members support this. And the Superintendent. Smart guy. New to the district. Means well. Why? Why so gung-ho on solar? We have lost class size reduction, sports, music, libraries , teachers, and so much more and we need solar? We need solar like we need a hole in the head. So.. .anyone know? What am I missing?
I am voting NO! I have had 5 kids schooled in the MDUSD over the past 22 years and every year it’s the same crap. My youngest is graduating CVHS next Wed and I am so glad that I made it through the school year without a confrontation.
I am voting NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our schools need a sports programs not solar panels.
To 103-
I can’t wrap my brain around anything that has MDUSD attached to it!
anon June 2, 2010 at 8:47 AM
“Voted no:
If you are so concerned about teaching by example, please learn the difference between “there” and “their”, so your children won’t make the same mistakes you do.”
Perhaps you should go back and reread and comprehend what is written. Post number 55 does indeed have the errors that you pointed out. However with post number 57 I corrected my errors and pointed out that I missed them in my original proof reading.
If you are going to attempt to be a grammar Nazi, you should learn to read and comprehend all information presented before going keyboard commando and pointing an error that obviously had been acknowledged and corrected. Maybe you should pull the log out of your eye before trying to remove a splinter from mine. I would be willing to bet that you have never walked on water. Until you master your own perfection you should refrain from pointing out the imperfections of others.
Us voters and property owners in the MDUSD get the schools that we deserve.
No matter what went before voters: Measure A, Measure C, Measure D, there were always those who said no–that MDUSD didn’t deserve it. Let’s face it, you don’t want to support schools NO MATTER what the funding vehicle and for that, our property values will always be lower than the surrounding areas as a result.
Anon 8:18
Wrong! I have supported every one of those measures and worked very hard on the campaign to pass Measure D. I will be voting no on this Measure C. It is wrong to portray those who oppose this bond as not caring about kids or not supporting schools. This isn’t about property values. I could just as easily make the claim that passing this bond would hurt property values.
This is about making the most of scarce resources (money) in order to provide the greatest benefit for our children. A five year, $99 parcel tax brings in $7.4 million/yr directly to the general fund. It costs tax payers $37 million total. Every one of the $37 mill dollars this community would pay could go directly to the general fund and could save and restore programs. With this bond, $1.5 BILLION (with a B) will not even reach our schools let alone reach the general fund where it could save and restore programs. Instead the $1.5 BILLION will be paid by the taxpayer as interest on the bond. That is the decision we are making and I happen to believe that our children and our schools would greatly benefit with $1.5 BILLION more dollars available to help them rather than going toward paying interest on a bond.
Vote NO on Measure C
Bonds are nothing more than future tax increases.
2 more NO votes here.
Yes, we need a parcel tax. But given the fact that the district’s last bond didn’t even begin to cover the long list of items originally proposed as part of the original Measure C process, and many more important priorities have popped up since (like upgrading the district’s most basic of technological capabilities) I think we’re not being realistic about the fact that we need a bond measure right now as well. For me, as a parent, learning environment and tools to support the process matter too.
Given that at this time, a bond measure seems to be more palatable to our community at large, and in addition to infrastructure and facilities upgrades, it contains projects that could conceivably bring some relief to the general fund as well over a longer period of time than a parcel tax, I have a hard time understanding the argument that it will do nothing at all for our children’s education.
The final pay out number everyone is focusing on constantly is not a hard and fast number.Lots of things such as bond sale rates, property value growth rates, inflation rates, and growth in the property tax base period can significantly change it.
The fact that as a property owner, I can help do something now to impact my child’s learning environment and therefore, their education as a whole, and count on maintaining a low tax rate right now, when I and many other taxpayers across the district really need it, is real.
I’ll be voting yes.
Sorry #109- you can say whatever you want to justify it, but if you vote against Measure C you are NOT for the kids. At least “Obviously Hate Kids” is honest about it.
Our kids will be in deep doo doo without this. We need a parcel tax AND a school bond. Working for Measure D doesn’t give you a pass on this. Schools need upgrading and unfortunately, when you live in a community that doesn’t want to pay any more in property taxes, you have to come up with creative financing.
People said that they would prefer to keep their tax rate about the same rather than pay an additional tax. That is a fact.
I too wish we had purchased a home in Walnut Creek (Las Lomas), San Ramon, Lafayette, or Danville – the quality of schools in these areas are top notch. We are reluctantly pulling our child out of MDUSD this coming fall.
#112
People did not say I want a 42 year bond that costs $1.87 Billion of which $1.5 Billion is interest. That is a fact.
Stop the whining about a community that doesn’t want to pay. 67% of the voters were behind you in February how do you explain that? While there are plenty of people who get on this blog and support you I believe it is time you step up and lead this district in a responsible way, with strong planning, and clear and honest communication. If you can’t do it we will have to elect someone who can.
Stop blaming those who want to hold this district to a higher standard and be satisfied that we still think you may be able to do it!
“deep doo doo” ….please!
Hey #112, get sarcasm much?
Just voted yes. Been to lots of meetings over the years and have seen how desperate the situation is right now. I have lost respect for the people who are now against the bond. They keep thinking a parcel tax will pass. I think the new superintendent came and did what was asked of him. Think out of the box. Get some more money to work with. He made the decision that the bond had a better chance of passing than a parcel tax. We really need both. If this doesn’t pass, there will be even more cuts, especially since the teachers’ union doesn’t want to negotiate furlough days but would rather have some of their own lose their jobs. My kids have gotten an excellent education in the MDUSD. Lots of music, sports, electives, AP classes. So sorry your kids won’t get to have those things if this doesn’t pass.
#114 Stay up there on your high horse of ignorance. 67% of “voters” were not behind Measure C, 67% of “polled voters” were. That’s a fact.
These blogs tend to be filled with pretty negative people, and I am sure this isn’t the only blog you post on, so I will chalk your post up to the fact that you either don’t have kids in MDUSD, or you don’t give a damn about those that do.
Obviously hates kids- You should read Freud.
Just completed our absentee ballots, all 3 with yes on Measure C. I will drop them off at our poll place on Tuesday June 8th. We all believe in the future of education and will do what it takes for all children, now and in the future. If I have to pay sewer on my property tax bill the rest of our lives in our current home, then I will happily pay for Measure C (even though my current rate will stay the same on my tax bill, no increase). I would have also gladly paid $99 for the parcel tax, instead I made and will continue making a $99 donation to the MDUSD general fund.
This Mortgage is at 15% over 42 years. Who would take these terms on their home?
#119.
Thank you for your Donation. But I’m not sure how you completed 3 absentee ballots.
I only voted once.
#117
Did the CUES committee pay $15,000 for polling that you don’t believe in? The polling data in February said that you were likely to get 67% of the voters to approve this measure. It was the catalyst for going forward. That’s a fact.
Negative, petty, ignorant, high-horse….
I would be more likely to say informed, responsible, and concerned. The perceived and unscientific drop in support is completely due to the fact that this Measure was not well planned, it is not fiscally sound, and it does not address the most pressing needs of our schools and our students.
This next piece of information alone should make people stop and think:
This is a bond that costs $1.87 BILLION and $1.5 BILLION won’t even reach our schools because it is interest. I would think that our community could find other ways to spend $1.5 BILLION and have the majority (or at least a reasonable amount) of the money actually help our students.
#120,
Myself, spouse and grown son, all absentee ballots completed and all voted yes on Measure C
Hopefully Measure C will not be decided by uninformed people who spout their opinions without knowing facts on a blog.
Frustrated #124,
I agree with you 100%. Its good to know we can put you down for a NO just like me and the rest of my family.
Uh, 116, PLEASE explain how this will happen with THIS bond. PLEASE . I’m so sick of the rhetoric and nothing to back you up. PLEASE EXPLAIN:
“My kids have gotten an excellent education in the MDUSD. Lots of music, sports, electives, AP classes. So sorry your kids won’t get to have those things if this doesn’t pass.”
How will THIS bond help with sports, music, electives and AP classes. Did you know this is a FACILITIES bond. Don’t let them kid you!
#122 really? ? In fact, if they thought 67% of people would spport something they’d have gone back after a parcel tax.
So all you smart people.. why did Measure D fail when it was 99.00 per parcel? When this measure C (never mind the OVER 1 billion that will never reach our kids), will cost 60.00 (approx) PER 100,000. 400k assessed value = 240.00 a year. Are “we” (this community) really this stupid? I’m afraid we are, and they know it.
#127
Yes really. A professional polling company conducted the poll in February that showed 67% support for a bond. Tomorrow is the deadline for MDUSD to turn over this information to the CCTimes. Google “ibabuzz on assignment” read the comments.
Measure D failed for many reasons! Lack of campaign leadership. Lack of a good ground campaign structure. Lack of planning, like this measure it was decided late and done hastily. A bad election. And most of all a school district that refuses to address the lack of confidence and trust issue.
Can Claycord.Com bill out the City for $27,000 for this poll? It’s worth every penny of the other one.
So many experts and too few facts on this thread too.
For all of you wondering why your children’s programs, and therefore teachers, aren’t on the list to be spared, remember when you had that chance with the last election’s proposition? This same community said, NO WAY. And now we have fewer programs and teachers. This cause and effect stuff is funny, huh?
This measure is a second attempt to generate some local funds for local benefit. Your choice.
7:00 PM How long have you been under that rock. You just wondered that? Jeeze. Pat the head.
June 1, 2010 at 11:55 PM
You do know that the district has hired an additional lawyer, right?
Anonymous June 3, 2010 at 8:18 AM
“Us voters and property owners in the MDUSD get the schools that we deserve. ”
Is the use of US instead of WE intentional? It does make your post funnier and helps make your point at the same time!
#130, thank you for proving the point I’ve been making for months. Measure D failed. THEN we had the devasting loss of class size reduction among other things, now we’ve lived that reality, and did they really not think that we could’ve have squeaked out a few more voters for a new parcel tax attempt. We should’ve ridden that defeat and the loss of programs all the way to a new parcel tax measure. Not this poorly concocted bond. Ridiculous. Now they’re trying to scare us by saying if this fails we’ll never pass anything. Again, they think we’re stupid.
I am glad to see from the results of this poll that people have not been fooled by the lies and rhetoric perpetrated by the MDUSD Board to push through this ill-conceived list of projects paid for with a disastrous financial scheme. Additionally disturbing is the ease and smoothness the new Superintendent is promoting this boondoggle.
They all need replacing with responsible people who really care about MDUSD kids and communities, not their special interests.
Another Bond is a good idea, with a well vetted list of projects and a prudent financial structure. Like the original Measure C they are trying to play off of. This is not anything like the original Measure C. Only 3 out of 15 of the current Measure C Bond oversight committee members support this new Bond. Why? I have no idea, they of all people know this deal stinks! The other 12 of us have enough sense to see a scam when it’s in front of us, and some of us even have the courage to call it one.
Cheers!
A.J. Fardella
Planning Commissioner, City of Pittsburg
Member (former Chairman) 2002 Measure C Bond Oversight Committee
The State just handed down more cuts to MDUSD, about another $1.6 million a year. This is in addition to the devastating cuts already in progress. Way to go California….. Yes on Measure C
Measure C already has their victory party set and invites sent to their supporters. It makes me so sad this may very well pass due to the the sheer NUMBER of uneducated souls out there, and those who will always vote “for the kids.” It’s a shame. Under what circumstances would anyone buy a 340,000 if they had to repay 1.7 million ? Seriously. This is not fiscally responsible and as a parent in this district, I’m ashamed at my friends on the board I really am.
Last I looked at my property tax bill, my yearly property taxes go up only $11 per 100K of assessed value if Measure C passes. (No, 127, it’s not the full $60 more. You’re already paying $49 of it per 100K per year and have been since 2002.) If it were structured the way that some suggest? As a whole new bond? I would be looking at a tax increase on my bill almost six times larger. I think it’s nice others here can entertain being able to afford that.
I simply can’t.
And yet, I want, and believe we really need, to do something to shore up the dire state of education in my community right now. I believe that our current generation of students, and future ones too, will thank us for it. For me, it’s hard to put a price tag on a good education. Or rather, the loss of one. Yes, a parcel tax would be good too. And hopefully will be in our future once times are better. But right now? It’s not an option. Our community has told us that pretty clearly.
Some are making it sound like this bond will cost current taxpayers $1.5 billion right this instant. As if we didn’t vote on this thing, we’d all have $1.5 billion dollars as a community right now to spend on something else worthwhile. When in fact, that final payout number is a worst case scenario that is more than likely not what the actual final bond pay out will be. That’s because many varying financial factors over the years can change it significantly, like growth in property value, rebound of home building in our area (Concord Weapon Naval Station anyone?), favorable interest rates on varying bond sales, inflation rates, etc.
Bottom line? Yes, the bond pay off date is a long ways away. Much can and will change between now and then to affect that bottom line pay off number everyone is so fond of throwing about as a hard fact right now.
But once our current group of students moves through the system without any additional financial support from our community? Nothing will change the fact that they almost certainly will not have received the quality education they deserved. And really need.
138 , the point is that our community wouldn’t vote for a 99.00 per year tax, but we were willing (per the survey?) to CONTINUE to our deaths (in some cases quite literally) to pay up to that 60.00 per 100,000? They not only think we’re stupid, I’ve now decided that WE ARE stupid.
AJ, thank you so much for your insightful comments.
The CCTimes is urging a “NO” vote on Measure C. You can read the full editorial at:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_15221367?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com
Some of the comments:
“Bonds are not free money. They must be repaid through added property taxes. The longer the payment schedule, the greater the interest. In the case of Measure C, it’s simply too much. By backloading the payments to shield current homeowners from any increased tax burden, Measure C will run up significant interest costs and saddle future generations with tremendous debt.”
“….it would take an estimated 42 years to pay off the new bonds, driving up the cost two ways: The long payment schedule adds significant interest, and it forces the district to issue bonds with higher interest rates. It’s a very expensive plan, one that the district only revealed when we inquired. You won’t find the full costs in your voter materials.”
“There’s another option that the district could consider. Measure C calls for spending at least $60M of the bond funds, about 17% of the money, to install solar panels throughout the district. Converting the school’s energy source, the district estimates, would save more than $3M a year, thereby freeing money for the general fund. This would give the district a way to indirectly raise money for its general fund with only 55 percent voter approval. It is an innovative idea and we could support it on its own without so much backloaded interest. It could provide the temporary relief needed for the general fund without paying enormous interest costs.”
I look at it like this, the MDUSD is a meth (money) addict that can’t tell the truth. They’ve been users for so long and meth has been so easy to get that they never planned for a shortage. Meth fell through their fingers and they didn’t care, it would always be available. They passed it out to friends because it was so plentiful. Now, they’re out of drugs, burned all their friends, stolen from their employers, pissed off the cops, lied to the people that wanted to help them, ripped off the rehab counselors and finally they’ve come back home to ask Mommy and Daddy to trust them with a few bucks just ONE MORE TIME. They’ll say they’ll die if they don’t get some cash, “if you love me you’ll give me some money”, they’ll promise that THIS time they won’t buy drugs, they MIGHT use it for a downpayment on a loan for solar panels that they will buy in your name with your credit with terms that will eventually destroy you, unless they can find a dealer that will trust them again and sell them more meth.
Sorry. It feels counter-intuitive not to help out someone in such bad shape, but in the long run it will be better for them to face who they are and what they’ve become. There will be many sleepless nights ahead and many times when it feels like you can’t go on, but when you’ve shown that your commitment to change is real, Mom and Dad with THEN be there to help you up. Giving you money in any form right now just makes things worse, you haven’t hit bottom and made the changes necessary to live out the rest of your life on a healthy track.
You lost our trust and your words don’t mean a thing. Actions are what is needed to prove you can live within your means and make sound choices. Measure C is just more trouble, it is not a step in the right direction.
#142 Very well said…
Mt. Diablo’s Board cannot manage their way out of a paper bag with one end open and a flashing exit sign. Giving them any more resources would be irresponsible on our part.
You know one reason I am pretty sure a parcel tax WOULD HAVE passed a second time? Because the cuts that hit us after Measure D was defeated have HURT. People HAVE NOW been impacted. Plus just look at the letters to the editors. Especially a certain Clayton mom who was not involved in Measure D. Her own school (where she was a pta president) didn’t even have a site captain. Her town had the lowest participation of any town, only a few visible parents worked on Measure D and they worked their butts off. NOW this AB person from clayton is writing letters to the times about voting yes on this crappy measure? ANd she’s sending out propaganda thru both the high school and middle school email systems to vote yes? Where was she during Measure D. Why doesn’t someone ask her?
Frankly, this is why another parcel tax could’ve passed. People exactly like this one are NOW involved. THey see what happened, they are living it and they see the destruction. But they are ill informed. She says that clayton valley will get chemistry labs if Measure C passes, but where does it say that? I was talking to another mom the other day who said she asked this very question and hasn’t heard back… where does it say in any campaign literature or on the district site that clayton valley will get chemistry labs. It doesn’t. So why does she think that? Is she being lied to, or are we?
It is not abnormal for a district to go for a tax more than once before it passes. It was a mistake not to go for a parcel tax again, just these types of parents would’ve been the 10% we needed to pass it and get to the 2/3′rds. THEN, we would’ve saved programs and teachers. But now? Libraries will still close at HER schools and worse. I think she is proof that many realized after the Measure D defeat that they can’t just sit there and hope everyone else does the work. You have to do it too or don’t complain. And certainly don’t now tell me how to vote for a bad bond that promises to have our taxpayers repay over 1.3 billion that will NEVER reach our kids.
10:18. I agree. we should have done another parcel tax
Sad. No on C.
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