Have YOU read the Full Text Ballot Measure provided by CUSD? It’s in your sample ballot, on page PR-1301-10. Here are some key requirements for school bonds in order to qualify for only 55% voter approval:
REQUIREMENT: Prop 39 (2000) includes “The Financial Accountability Act” which governs Prop E. It specifically restricts bond fund use to school construction, rehab, replacement of facilities; or information technology; or acquisition/lease of real property. Bond funds are NOT permitted for debt service on prior loans or bonds, or to offset the District general funds.
REALITY CHECK: CUSD has stated they plan to use bond funds to “free up” general funds (a violation of General Obligation bond regulations), and also to retire previous loan debt. “Debt Service” was even listed in the CUSD website on Prop E.
REQUIREMENT: Prop 39 requires voters be given lists of SPECIFIC PROJECTS before an election is held, so they know exactly how bond funds would be used.
REALITY CHECK: CUSD has provided only a vague wish-list which might be implemented at some future time – no mention of sites or facilities or schedules or costs or details. How did CUSD even arrive at a $29M cost, if there were no details to create a master plan? Do YOU believe CUSD DESERVES $29M without even providing a Specific Project List? Do you know it will probably cost taxpayers $60M to pay off the $29M of bonds issued?
REQUIREMENT: Prop 39 requires a Citizens Oversight Committee, to ensure bond funds are spent legally and efficiently.
REALITY CHECK: This committee is not some unique and benevolent idea coming from CUSD, as the CUSD website would have you believe. And just how fair and effective do you think a committee will be, when CUSD is the only entity which selects the members, and obviously will not select anyone who was opposed Prop E?
BOTTOM LINE: Prop E should not have even qualified to be on the June 3 ballot, and if passed it could well be overturned by our court system.
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