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Uploaded: Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 12:49 AM
School bond passes in close race
Jewett, incumbent Marvel, win school board election
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by Jessica Lipsky
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 | San Ramon Valley voters were split on whether to vote in Measure D, a $260 million school bond that will dedicate funds specifically to schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. The bond passed with 55.19 percent of the vote.
San Ramon Valley Unified officials attended an election party at Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, hopeful that the measure would pass. The third bond in 14 years, Measure D will cost homeowners approximately $27.75 per $100,000 of assessed value and be used to finance construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities.
"It's hard to tell if we will get the 55 percent needed," Community Relations Coordinator Terry Koehne said Tuesday night, when the Measure was 4 percentage points shy of passing.
Koehne estimated that Proposition 30, which passed by 59.46 percent, would save SRVUSD approximately $20 million in cuts. Thirty will temporarily increase sales taxes by one-fourth of a cent per dollar and raise income taxes for people who earn more than $250,000 per year. The estimated $6 billion raised annually would be devoted to education, including 89 percent to public schools.
The district is hopeful about the efficacy of
"If 30 passed, it would have a tremendous effect on our district. Although there would be no extra dollars, it would mean a significant impact… (otherwise) we would have to cut the school year by 10 to 15 days," Koehne said. "It leaves funding at a status quo."
The measure approves the sale of bonds, with the proceeds used to finance construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities. The bond proceeds could also be used for furnishing and equipping of school facilities and the acquisition or lease of property and construction of a new school in Dougherty Valley.
The third bond in 14 years, Measure D was a hotly contested issue for months. Opponents claimed D would cost $75 annually per $100,000 of assessed value, or about $375 for a home assessed at $500,000, and said the estimates are not binding upon the district.
Three people were in the running for two seats on SRVUSD's Board of Education, including incumbent and Board President Greg Marvel. Two Danville residents, Mark Jewett and Dwight Winn, entered the race and remained close in the polls through much of Tuesday night.
Jewett -- who has a background in finance and accounting and holds degrees in quantitative economics and decision sciences, accounting and business taxation – led with 38.93 percent of the vote. Marvel garnered approximately 25,680 (or 37.15 percent) votes while Winn, a former IBM and NUMMI employee, lost with 23,66 percent.
A majority of residents voted in favor of Measure A, the $11 per parcel tax for the Contra Costa Community College District. Although the measure received 68.84 percent of the vote, it did not reach the two-thirds threshold required for a parcel tax.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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| Comments
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Posted by Mel, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 10, 2012 at 9:10 am So we need a parcel tax because our schools are hurting for cash yet SRV Unified officials went to an election party at Bridges golf club? Hmmm.... Now that just looks bad. I hope I wasn't paying for their party. That money could be put to better use.
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 13, 2012 at 7:33 am The election was close, some 48%+ in OPPOSITION to this bond, so Mel, that does tell you not all of us are "on board" with the CONTINUED lack of fiscal responsibility of our school district. I would imagine 90% of those voting for it? -Have children in school and out of fear (backbone; courage) chose to "look the other way" until THEIR children are out of the SRVSD. Pitiful but seems to be the way people operate from what I've seen all these many years. That said? The real kicker will be to see if, for ONCE in their history? They can account once the expenditures have been made, for precisely what's been spent. Don't hold your "breath" on that one as they are notoriously inept and irresponsible.
Sometimes Mel, you have to pick your battles, "win a few - lose a few" and move on! Just the way it is...(-though one does wonder, how these people have historically "put their head on the pillow" at night in good conscience.
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Posted by Adam Hurd, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 15, 2012 at 9:20 pm Hello Mel,
I am a senior at California High School, I spent my 18th birthday with these "district officials" at the campaign party you are referring to. I provided my computer to project the poll results, and one of the school board members bought me a soft drink, and I purchased a second one myself. The party was a low key event to celebrate supporter's devotion to a successful campaign. The bridges provided the room for the campaign get together. It would have been illegal for district funds to be spent on this event. Personally, the people involved in the Measure D campaign gave countless hours to insure it's success, and I am extremely grateful for that our community has adults that care about our future generations.
I hope this clears things up for you,
-Adam
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Posted by SR Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 16, 2012 at 7:53 am For Mel & Ms Bunny -
Measure D was a bond measure not a parcel tax. BIG difference. Bond measures go for buildings and building improvements. Parcel taxes go for operations and programs.
The measure passed 57% to 43% - approximately 14% more people voted FOR the measure than against it. A large majority of the people of this district wanted to improve the buildings and infrastructure of the schools.
No school funds were used to pay for the election night party. It was all donations.
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 19, 2012 at 10:00 am Sorry, semantics weren't clear but does it MATTER? The difference is not as "BIG" as you seem to think SR Res., when the hand is out once again for more money and we STILL have SRVUSD Parcel Tax OWED; SRVUSD Bond '98 still OWED; AND the SRVSD Bond from 2002 - again: STILL OWED. So "mincing" taxation titles here is less than an issue. I pay a total of $275 for these REMAINING "balances" SR, as my fellow San Ramonians do, if not MORE. NOW MANY of us have another $200 MIN. to be added. Sorry, but I feel $475 is WAY up there.
A 14% percentage and you don't seem to understand, that STILL equates to 43% AGAINST this measure, almost HALF.
The underlying issue AGAIN (Are you listening?!) is the LACK of accountability for MONIES SPENT by POOR auditing and clearly money "hidden" during the audit process to benefit the school district. Cheap tactic, to state the least.
IF and WHEN? -Our SRVSD decides to be UP FRONT (as in honest) about expenditures and FAR BETTER accounting? They'll garner more of my support, right now?
Your puny explanation is along the lines of the history of their rhetoric on how and where monies have been spent. It doesn't hold water and is wholly specious.
My "front door" is now closed for ALL fundraisers. After 20 years of inept and in MANY cases? Inept spending, the 'bank' of this San Ramon citizen is empty...Until such time it is proven to me as a tax paying citizen, how and where this money is ACCURATELY been spent.
There are a multitude of other needs in this town that I will address accordingly, but I'm DONE with the school district until they become an honest entity. End of message.
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Posted by Moving Company, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 27, 2012 at 7:19 am Dear Ms. Bunny, We have heard that you are consistently outraged by all of the HUGE mistakes that your local community leaders in government and academics are making. It seems that this community and school system according to you are heading down the drain. Your little butt and fingers must be sore to the bone since your so busy with all these atrocities that are taking place.
Well, Now is time to save your self. We know there are many places better to live than hear .... right?
Please dont hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-GET-A-LIFE where we will be happy to help you pack your SH*T and move your to your UTOPIAN destination.
Sincerely,
REALITY
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 27, 2012 at 8:55 am It's pretty clear you read few posts of mine in general online here. It's doubtful you have an investment in San Ramon of many a year, nor have volunteered and are aware of some of these changes not being in the best interest of the community. BTW, civility isn't your strong suit junior (-and there is clearly no doubt, you are a junior) Seriously? You actually believe you're a REALIST? Amusing...
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Posted by Bekki Livingston, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 28, 2012 at 7:15 am I am extremely grateful to this community for everything they do to support ALL of our citizens, not just our students. My house is currently for sale. As a destination school district, my property value is strong and I am told my house will sell within weeks. People want to live here and want to raise their children here. Tough choices have to be made by our community leaders and I am thankful for those willing to run for office and take the abuse of anonymous bloggers. We don't have to agree on issues, but we can be respectful with our approach to them. I appreciate the opportunity to voice my opinion on this public forum.
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 28, 2012 at 8:25 am Indeed BEKKI, this is a fine community, and yet? We all strive in one manner of speaking or another to make it better and encourage more efficiency when it comes to the economy and dollars spent and being most careful about tempered and measured progress. "Tough choices" unfortunately, don't equate to explaining or detailing any time taxpayer monies are spent for services, HONESTY must prevail and TRANSPARENCY. Surely you understand this. Indeed, last time I checked? Freedom of speech is "alive and well" for all of us to exercise.
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Posted by KiMo, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 28, 2012 at 11:09 am Both sides have good points. I am a homeowner and will need to pay the new tax (or bond). I think we agree that it is critical for well being of our society that the young ones get the education they deserve - we happen to live in an affluent community and school upkeep reflects some of those needs such as technology, modern classrooms, etc). I am nto involved in the school system in any way (no kids), but to Ms. Bunny's point, is there a web site that provides transaprent disclosure of budget and expenses detail? If there isn't, clearly it is not much to ask - it is the citizen's money. If there is, perhaps the voice is just to ask for more detail. Also anyone who is passionate can run for the school board and affect change.
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 29, 2012 at 6:50 am There are several sites that detailed the lastest bond measure. But what you won't see and couldn't know if you haven't lived here very long, is the history of SRUSD's spending and poor attempts at auditing without accounting far closer for monies spent KiMo. Just regular "requests" for more tax money. Stick around long enough and you will garner a better understanding of how they operate.
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