Measure M

Measure M is a $295.0 million general obligation (G.O.) bond program. This measure is intended to address the needs of the student population through modernization projects at the District's fourteen schools.

G.O. bonds fund projects such as the renovation of existing classrooms and school facilities, as well as construction of new schools and classrooms. Similar to a home loan, G.O. bonds are typically repaid over 25 to 30 years. The loan repayment comes from a tax on all taxable property residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial - located within the District's boundaries.

Our school facilities are outdated, and upgrades and renovations need to be made. While facilities have been well maintained, old classrooms must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st-century educational and technological standards. A local school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of the school facilities and education provided to local students.

Today, the scope of improvements needed in the Gilroy Unified School District is far more than the current funding sources available. The per pupil funding which the District receives from the state is intended to be used for the day-today business of educating students and not the cost of upgrading, modernizing, and repairing facilities.

Over the last several months, with input from staff, teachers, parents and community leaders, the District has prepared a School Facilities Needs Analysis. The analysis identifies the major repairs and upgrades that need to be made. Specific projects identified include:

• Repairing or replacing leaky roofs
• Renovating and constructing career technical education classrooms to better prepare students for jobs
• Improving student safety at drop-off and pick-up areas
• Upgrading or replacing deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems
• Making safety improvements including fire alarms and security cameras

Measure M will provide our students with a better learning environment by making repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and school facilities, many of which are also used and available to the community.

If Measure M does not pass, our classrooms and school facilities will continue to deteriorate. In addition, funds that would otherwise go to classroom instruction will be needed to make critical safety repairs and improvements at the schools. Major repairs will need to be postponed and, as a result, will likely be more expensive to make.

The tax rate per property owner is estimated to be $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. (Do not confuse assessed valuation with market value. Assessed valuations are the value placed on property by the County and are almost always lower than market values.) Check your property tax statement for your current assessed valuation.

By law, all funds have to be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state. Furthermore, an independent citizens' oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond funds are properly spent. Also, by law, there must be annual audits and no bond money can be used for teacher or administrative salaries.

By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee.

No.  Bond funds are required to be spent only on schools, not for administrator or teacher salaries.

No.  All bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State.

• Ballot language
• Board-approved resolution approving school bond election
• Facilities Master Plan