High schools seek more money for construction projects High schools seek more money for construction projects (July 21, 2004)

** Bond measure could raise another $70 million for schools.

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

More money for capital improvements will come to local public high schools, including Menlo-Atherton and Woodside, if voters approve a measure being planned in the Sequoia Union High School District.

Superintendent Patrick Gemma has the go-ahead from the school board to draw up a ballot measure for November that would extend for 10 years the current tax rate that property owners pay on two earlier construction bond measures -- instead of letting the payments decline, as they would otherwise.

Property owners currently pay about $24 a year for every $100,000 in assessed value. Instead of declining to about $19.50 in the current fiscal year and declining further in following years, that tax rate would continue through approximately 2014 before starting down.

The expected result: the district could raise an additional $70 million through bond issues for construction projects. The cost to taxpayers to pay off the bonds and interest: an estimated $126 million over 35 years.

The measure would meet the requirements of state Proposition 39, which allows passage with a 55-percent majority of voters instead of two-thirds. Proposition 39 requires districts to: say up front how the money will be used; carefully monitor spending; and share facilities with charter schools, if asked.

Local impact

If the measure passes, three of the district's comprehensive high schools -- M-A in Atherton, Sequoia in Redwood City, and Carlmont in Belmont -- would each receive $8 million for construction projects, according to a preliminary list prepared by Don Gielow, who oversees the district's capital-improvement program.

Woodside High would get $6 million to help upgrade older facilities. Its share is smaller because it received some $3 million more from the earlier bond measures, Mr. Gielow said.

M-A's $8-million allotment could allow the school to completely fund its performing-arts theater -- and set aside the need for private donations and a tentative plan in which the city of Menlo Park would help pay for the theater and then share in its use.

"That theater is a priority," said Mr. Gielow. "If the bond passes, a theater will happen."

A completion date for the theater would still be some three years away since M-A has only conceptual drawings at this point, he said.

November ballot

The district is rushing to put the measure on the November ballot because if it waits a year, the size of the bond measure could shrink by $15 million, said Craig Hill, one of the district's financial advisers.

"I don't want to look back ... in a couple of years and kick myself, saying 'Why didn't we do that,'" said trustee Lorraine Rumley.

The school board plans to vote on the proposal at its July 27 meeting.

Earlier measures

In 2001, voters approved an $88 million bond measure that distributed $22 million to each of the four comprehensive high schools. The money bought new and rebuilt classrooms, parking lot improvements, technology purchases, and track-and-field facilities.

Woodside High also built a performing arts center -- scheduled to be ready by Christmas -- and M-A built a second gym and saved $6 million to partially fund its own theater.

In 1996, voters approved a $45 million bond measure. M-A used its share to build a library, while Woodside, combining the bond money with private funds, built a gym and pool.

New measure

The proposed measure for the November ballot would increase the total amount property owners pay, but not raise the tax rate -- a principal concern for trustee Olivia Martinez. "We can honestly say we're not (raising tax rates)," she said.

A measure raising more money for construction projects without increasing the tax rate may confuse voters, pollster Brad Senden told the school board. Members of earlier bond campaigns are expected to start another effort soon to explain the measure and raise money for a direct-mail campaign. Time is short. "You want to be ready right after Labor Day," said Mr. Senden.

Another factor is competition from other measures. In San Mateo County, the only other tax-related measure expected this year is the reauthorization of Measure A, the half-cent transportation sales tax, Mr. Senden said.

Rest of the money

In addition to the comprehensive high schools, the Sequoia district is home to three charter high schools, a continuation school for students who need more time to earn diplomas, and an adult school. A three-year high school is planned.

According to Mr. Gielow's list, $9 million would go for the adult school; $9 million for charter schools -- including about $6 million to build East Palo Alto High School -- with $1 million in reserve; $500,000 for renovations at Redwood Continuation School; $1.5 million for office and classroom technology; $1 million for energy-efficient vehicles; $4 million for solar cells; and $4 million to upgrade roads and utilities.

The district would reserve $5 million to insulate against price changes and another $5 million to equalize funding among the campuses, Mr. Gielow said.

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