Santa Clara County Measures

Measure A would allow more fresh perspectives in local government and avoid incumbents holding power indefinitely. By cycling out incumbents, Measure A would encourage more residents to participate in local politics, leading to a more engaged and diverse city council. Measure A would put Morgan Hill in line with all but one city in Santa Clara County that already has term limits for city council.

Measure A would needlessly remove dedicated public servants from office. Measure A is unnecessary since every council member and the mayor is accountable to the electorate and can be voted out of office with or without term limits.

Measure B would encourage a fair standard by placing the mayor on a four-year term limit like the other four members of the City Council, allowing for greater consistency and continuity of leadership. Measure B would save the city an estimated $123,000 every two years by not putting the mayor on the ballot. Measure B would put Morgan Hill in line with numerous other cities which elect their mayors for four-year terms.

Measure B would decrease voter engagement in years when a mayor is not up for election. Since Morgan Hill has district-based city council elections, Measure B would prevent half of the electorate from having a say in the make-up of city leadership every election, as they do now. Measure B would also force incumbent council members to choose between running for council or for mayor and discourage the competition that comes from two-year terms.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

Measure F would improve the function of Sunnyvale’s government and help meet evolving needs by broadening the pool of potential applicants for boards and commissions to match other existing eligibility requirements in the city. It would add flexibility to council meeting scheduling without impacting city business, and it would also make for a more modern and inclusive city charter by replacing gender-specific language with gender-neutral language throughout the document.

Measure F makes it too easy for someone with no vetted affiliation to Sunnyvale to influence city decisions and direction. It removes the age requirement to serve on council-appointed boards and commissions, and replaces thorough residency verification with an inadequate honor system. Members of Sunnyvale’s five council-appointed boards and commissions should be verified residents of legal voting age. There is no data that shows Sunnyvale is having trouble recruiting qualified and diverse applicants under current requirements.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

None filed.

“Your Yes vote will ensure that the East Side Union High School District can attract and retain top-tier teachers and staff, support student growth and success and protect the value of our homes and businesses. Together, we can build a brighter future!”

“Should you, the voter, reward the district for dropping scores in the two key subjects? If you answered ‘no,’ we encourage you to vote No on Measure N. ESUHDS is spending $20,413 per student per year (ADA), with 22 students per teacher. That’s a whopping $449,086 per classroom per year! Yet, they want even more of your hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.”

“Every 8,600+ students attend school under aging roofs, in outdated science labs and career-training facilities, with deteriorating electrical, plumbing, ventilation and safety systems. Most of our high schools were built in the 1960s, and some classrooms/science labs haven’t been upgraded in 20 years. Measure P provides a prudent, responsible plan to continue repairing/modernizing CUHDS schools to ensure equal access to quality instruction/learning and improve student safety.”

“From the 2020–22 school year to 2022–23 (latest figures) enrollment has declined by 199 students. Down to 8,006 students. But they want more money! Does that make any sense to you? No? Then please vote No on P. This bond costs $59,205 per student and that’s before 30+ years of interest expenses at rates up to 12%.”

“Offering strong educational programs such as computer science and technology courses is essential for preparing our students for quickly changing workforce and the jobs of tomorrow. Measure Q protects our schools from the instability of the state budget and provides stable local funding Milpitas students can count on every year.”

“Should you, the voter, reward the district for dropping scores in the two key subject areas? If you answered ‘no,’ we encourage you to vote No on Measure Q. MUSD is spending $17,384 per student per year (ADA) and has 22.9 students per teacher. That’s a whopping $398,093 per classroom per year. Yet, they want even more of your and your neighbors’ hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.”

The district serves some 25,000 students in increasingly outdated facilities. Supporters say the bond would improve these facilities by upgrading school safety features, as well their heating and cooling systems. It would also update classroom and lab spaces to assist students in preparing for college and job-training programs. Furthermore, supporters say the bond would fund another district priority: constructing affordable rental housing to help retain teachers and support staff.

Opponents argue the school district shouldn’t enter the real estate business. They say the measure doesn’t specify how much money would be set aside for district needs and how much would fund each affordable housing project. Furthermore, they pointed to a June grand jury report that criticized the district’s management practices as evidence it shouldn’t be trusted with an influx of cash and said the money would be better spent on improving students’ educational outcomes.

“The future success of our children depends on the quality of our local elementary and middle schools. Modern classrooms with relevant and up-to-date technology are critical in preparing our children for high school and opening doors for their future success. Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District needs our help to guarantee our children have the resources necessary to succeed. High-quality schools and classrooms for our children must remain our top priority.”

“MPESD’s enrollment declined from 2,229 students during the 2018–19 school year, to 1,648 during 2022–23. A whopping ADA decline of 581 students. Why ‘expand’ new classrooms when enrollment is down to 1,648 children?? Those two bond obligations equal $31,553 per student — plus decades of interest payments. Since the number of students is way down, expenses should be way down, too.”

“Our schools are so much more than simply places for learning. They provide a secure and stable environment where our children can grow and thrive. They foster success for future generations. Additionally, quality schools improve and protect the value of our homes and businesses. For all those reasons, they are our community’s most valuable assets. Vote Yes on Measure T to repair and renovate our local elementary and middle schools.”

“Education Data Partnership shows the District’s enrollment declining from 2,753 students during the 2009–10 school year, to 1,511 during 2022–23. A whopping ADA decline of 1,242 students. Why construct new classrooms when enrollment is down to 1,511 students??? Since the numbers of students are way down, expenses should be way down, too.”

“Unfortunately, years of state budget cuts and the expiration of our existing community supported parcel tax are threatening the local quality of education. If we don’t pass Measure U, MSD will have to make drastic cuts to academic programs, increase class sizes, and maintain only the basics. Measure U is necessary! We depend on local revenue to supplement limited state funding!”

“The district is spending $18,881 per child per year (ADA), with 21.2 pupils per teacher. That is a whopping $400,277 per classroom per year. Yet, they want even more of your hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans. The district let taxpayers and voters down, with decreased test scores, then increased the average teacher’s salary.”

“If we don’t pass measure V, about $1.3 million will disappear from USD school budgets. Our local TK–8 schools will have to make drastic cuts to academic programs, increase class sizes, and maintain only basics. USD depends on local revenue to supplement limited State funding.”

“Union School District is spending $15,245 per student per year (ADA) with an average of only 21.6 students per teacher. That’s a whopping $458,892 of spending per classroom per year. Yet, they want even more of your and your neighbors’ hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans. Union School District punished taxpayers with drops in test scores, then increased the average teacher’s salary.”

“For years, our community has supported quality education in our elementary and middle schools with locally controlled funding. However, this funding is set to expire. Measure W will help prevent talented teachers from leaving our community and protect our core academic programs. It will help struggling students by maintaining and expanding literacy programs, and ensure all students are prepared for high school, college and in-demand careers.”

“Should you, the voters, reward the district for dropping scores in two key subjects? If not, we encourage you to vote No on Measure W. The School District is spending $24,821 per student per year (ADA) with a student/teacher ratio of 23.4 to 1. That’s $580,811 per classroom per year. Yet, they want more of your hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.”

“Vote Yes on Measure X to support our children’s success and help ensure that Evergreen Elementary School District has the qualified teachers and staff our students deserve. Educators are the backbone of our educational system and essential to student success. Investing in our schools also enhances the value of our homes and businesses — with no increase in tax rates.”

“The school district is spending $18,807 per child per year (ADA) with 24.7 students per teacher. That’s a whopping $464,532 per classroom per year. Yet, they want even more of your and your neighbors’ hard-earned money for padding their salaries and fat pension plans.”

“Sunnyvale schools are among the best in the county because of voter support. By continuing this local investment in our schools, we protect our award-winning programs and provide all students better access to computers and technology. We have great support from our community who expect excellence in our schools and classrooms. Great schools make for great communities. Quality schools and classrooms protect and enhance our property values and support our students.”

“Should you, the voters, reward the district for dropping scores in two key subjects? If not, we encourage you to vote No on Measure Y. The school district is spending $17,693 per student per year (ADA) with a student/teacher ratio of 20.2 to 1. That’s $357,398 per classroom per year. Yet, they want more of your hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.”

“The continuing prosperity of our communities depends on the success of our public elementary schools. They keep our children safe, teach them critical skills, prepare them for the future and enhance the value of our homes and businesses. Our schools are our communities’ most valuable assets and must remain our top priority.”

“Between the school years of 2018–19 to 2022–23 (latest figures), enrollment has declined by 3,896 students, down to 13,467 students. This bond will cost a whopping $25,766 per student— and that’s before 30+ years of interest expenses at rates of up to 12%. Yikes!!! Will this $347 million bond debt be spent to hire or train great teachers to improve academics? Answer: No, that’s not legally permitted.”

“Voting Yes on Measure AA will renew a critical source of expiring local school funding that supports quality teachers and academics. Measure AA means large corporations will pay more than single-family homeowners, ensuring large property owners contribute their fair share to support our local schools. In fact, some residents will even see a reduction in their property taxes, with senior citizen’s being exempt from the cost altogether.”

“Mountain View Whisman School District is spending $26,604 per student per year (ADA) with only 18.6 students per teacher. That’s a whopping $494,834 per classroom per year. Yet, they want even more of your and your neighbors’ hard-earned money for padding their salaries and fat pension plans.”

“Measure BB is necessary! We depend on local revenue to supplement limited State funding. Without Measure BB, the budget would need to be cut by nearly a million dollars. This would force all Cambrian schools to make drastic cuts to academic programs and increase class sizes. Measure BB does not increase taxes, it simply continues our already existing modest parcel tax.”

“The school district is spending $17,693 per student per year (ADA) with a student/teacher ratio of 21.9 to 1. That’s $387,476 per classroom per year. Yet, they want even more of your hard-earned money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.”

“Measure CC will provide locally controlled funding for elementary and middle school classrooms that support programs like STEAM, literacy, music, and the performing arts — all of which will help us maintain the high-achieving, well-rounded education our students need.”

“Enrollment is declining significantly. From the 2018–19 school year to 2022–23 (latest figures) enrollment has declined by 251 students. Down to 3,269 students. This bond costs $49,862 per student and that’s before 30+ years of interest expenses at rates up to 12%.”

“We need Measure EE to provide the exceptional education our community expects. We also know that having 10 schools at nine campuses isn’t working — with hundreds of students taking classes at overcrowded junior high schools in dilapidated portables. Measure EE provides funding for 10 schools on 10 campuses, relieving overcrowding, restoring small neighborhood schools, and replacing temporary portables with permanent classrooms.”

“Enrollment is declining significantly. From the 2018–19 school year to 2022–23 (latest figures) enrollment has declined by 891 students. Down to 3,355 students. Does that make any sense to you? No? Then please vote No on EE. This bond costs $104,321 per student and that’s before 30+ years of interest expenses at rates up to 12%.”

“Our community has been supportive of bonds in the past and the schools and students have benefitted from our investment. We need to continue our investment in the modernization of Orchard School and make sure we serve all students with safe and modern classrooms. Great schools are part of what makes our area a great place to live.”

“Current ADA enrollment is down to 720, following a steady decline since the 2018–19 school year. So does constructing more classrooms make any sense to you? No? Then please vote No on Measure GG. This bond costs $41,666 per child — and that’s before the 30+ years of interest expenses at rates of up to 12%.”

“If Measure HH fails, Lakeside loses more than $500,000 annually in locally controlled funding. That’s more than 20% of the budget! Without Measure HH, the district will be forced to make deep cuts, including teacher layoffs, loss of academic programming, and even the closure of Lakeside School.”

“The proponents ask you to approve this parcel tax to ‘retain high quality teachers’, but the big money is going to administrators. Lakeside just hired a full-time principal and an executive assistant, pushing costs for non-teachers to over $500,000/year, including $268,000 for a superintendent. All this to manage six classrooms and 60 students.”