Measure H Questions and Answers

Q. What is Measure H and how will it improve education in our neighborhood San Jose Unified elementary, middle and high schools?
A.  Measure H is a local school repair and improvement bond measure, which will support programs to prepare students for jobs, careers and college by upgrading classrooms, science labs and technology.  Measure H will also help retain teachers and educational staff, as well as protect academic programs by providing $5 million in savings to our school district by improving energy efficiency and paying off outstanding facilities leases. 

Thanks to qualified teaches and strong core educational programs, students test scores on statewide exams have risen consistently over the past 5 years.  We believe that the classroom repairs, science and technology upgrades will help to continue this success by providing the modern, 21st-century educational tools our students need to succeed.

Q. How will Measure H funds be used to update our schools and continue student achievement?
A. Measure H would:
• Help improve programs to prepare students for jobs and careers
• Improve energy efficiency to save money to protect academic programs
• Keep schools clean and well-maintained
• Modernize science facilities and classrooms
• Upgrade classroom technology for all students
• Improve student safety and security

For more information and to review the Measure H project list, please visit the District website at http://www.sjusd.org.

Q. Would Measure H support academic programs and retain teachers?
A. Yes. By repairing classrooms, improving energy efficiency, upgrading inefficient heating and cooling systems and paying off leases, our schools will save $5 million annually that can be used to retain teachers, keep educational staff and protect math, science, reading and writing programs. 

Q. Is Measure H fiscally accountable?
A. Yes. Measure H does have important fiscal accountability provisions, including:
• All funds from Measure H would stay in local schools—nothing could be taken by the State
• Independent citizen oversight and annual, third-party audits would be required
• No funds could be used for administrators’ salaries, pensions or benefits
• Provides our schools eligibility for future state matching funds, which would otherwise not be available

Q.  Is Measure H aligned with the school district’s educational priorities?
A.  Yes.  Measure H has two guiding principles, which will help prioritize projects that will be completed in our schools based on the voter-approved project list. First, the district has recently unveiled its new strategic vision for education, which is called Opportunity 21.  The plan aims to close the achievement gap by preparing students to enter the 21st-century society and economy with skills necessary to succeed.  Technology is a major focus of the plan, which will require additional financial resources to ensure that all students have access to the technology they need to be prepared for future jobs and careers.  Closely associated with this aim of Measure H, the second focus is on equity in facilities.  While many of our schools have received extensive renovations, others have not been updated for 21st-century learning and improved safety.  The Measure H plan will prioritize upgrades and repairs in schools with the greatest need in order to improve equity among all of our schools so that all students have the same educational opportunities.

Q. Would Measure H allow our schools to qualify for state matching funds?
A. Yes. By passing Measure H, it may be possible for our schools to qualify for millions of dollars in state matching funds when they become available. This funding may only be available to our schools if we pass Measure H, thereby maximizing our funds and projects that can be completed in our schools. 

Q. Could the State take away any Measure H funds?
A. No. All funds generated by Measure H would be spent on our neighborhood schools, and could not be taken by the State.

Q.  How did the school district determine the projects in Measure H and how was it placed on the ballot?
A.  A Superintendent’s Bond Study Committee was convened in several meetings to discuss the current facilities and educational needs in the district.  The committee included representation of school district parents, teachers and staff, as well as two members of the Board of Trustees.

After careful research of the district’s facilities needs, voter opinion and stakeholder feedback, the committee recommended that the Board of Trustees move forward with placing Measure H on the ballot.  The Board voted on August 9, 2012 to place the measure on the November 6, 2012 ballot.

Q. Would funds from Measure H be used to benefit my neighborhood school and what is the process to determine which projects will be completed first?
A. It is the intention of the Board to ensure that proceeds from Measure H will benefit every school site throughout the District, and meet the guiding principles set forth in Opportuinity21.  The District has identified several priorities to update and repair school sites to ensure that all our students have the best learning environment possible, which are outlined in the Measure H project list, which is available by reading the full project resolution.

In order to determine specific projects at each site that may be completed with Measure H funds, school principals and the school district facilities planning staff will be engaging school site councils at each site after voter approval of Measure H.  Through this process, the district will be able to include parents, teachers and staff in the discussion of projects that should be completed at each site that fit within the goals of the Measure H project list.  For more information, please contact Steve Adamo at (408) 535-6200. 

Q. How much would Measure H cost?
A. Measure H would provide $290 million dollars to help upgrade local schools and would cost property owners no more than $28.80 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, which is different from market value. The assessed value of a home is determined each year by the Santa Clara County Assessor’s office, but is generally based on the original purchase price of the property.

Q. Is there any other way to upgrade and repair our schools?
A. No other source of funding exists to make the necessary renovations and upgrades at our local schools. We can’t rely on the State to complete these repairs because state funding for the upgrades and repairs our schools require has been inadequate for decades, with no relief in sight. Measure H would provide local funding and local control that would allow the district to address basic facilities repair needs and protect the quality education offered in our schools.

Q. What level of support is required to pass Measure H?
A. At least 55% of those voters who cast a ballot on the measure would need to vote “Yes” in order for Measure H to pass.

Q. When will Measure H appear on the ballot and when do I vote?
A. Measure H will be on the November 6, 2012 presidential ballot.  If you are an absentee voter, your ballot will be mailed to you the week of October 8.  If you vote at the polls, polls will be open on Tuesday, November 6 from 7am to 8pm.

Q. Who is eligible to vote on Measure H?
A. All registered voters in the San Jose Unified School District will be eligible to vote on Measure H.  If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, visit http://www.sccvote.org or call (408) 299-8683.

Q.  How can I obtain more information about voting in this election?
A. For more information or to find out if you are registered to vote and eligible to vote in the November 6, 2012 election, please visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website at http://www.sccvote.org or by, call (408) 299-8683. To be eligible to vote in the November 6 election, your registration form must be received by no later than October 22, 2012.