Sulphur Springs Union School District

Measure US - 55% Approval Required

Measure for Academic Excellence, New Classrooms, and Improved School Safety

Our schools are the center of our community, and all have received awards for high academic achievement. To maintain our high quality of education, we must continue to invest in our schools to best prepare students for high school, college, and careers.

While all our schools are well maintained, most were built over 50 years ago, and need to be modernized. We must build new classrooms to replace portable buildings, repair and upgrade our existing facilities, and improve access to computers and modern technology.

Our community has always supported schools, and the District has spent local tax dollars wisely. Bond expenditures are audited annually by independent auditors, and are in compliance.

Even with prudent use of District funds, there are additional school improvement needs that cannot be met with existing resources. As permitted by State law, Measure US will provide required funding to:

–  Modernize and improve all schools, including classrooms and labs
–  Construct new classrooms and upgrade learning spaces to improve student access to instruction in science, technology, engineering, and math
–  Upgrade safety and security systems, including cameras and communication to ensure emergency preparedness
–  Provide the local match for over $20 million is State matching grants

Taxpayer safeguards required by State law are in place and include an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to ensure bond funds are only spent on voter-approved projects, and financial and performance audits are performed annually.

Measure US funds cannot be taken away by the State and can only be used to improve the quality of our schools, which will help maintain the desirability of our community. Please join us along with local elected officials, firefighters, business owners, senior citizens, police officers, teachers, and parents in voting YES on Measure US!

HEATHER IPPOLITO
Community Member

KIRK NELSON
Fire Captain LACoFD

HEIDI HEINRICH
CBOC Bond Oversight Member

JESSE PEREZ
Parent

ROBERT KELLAR
Santa Clarita Resident

WARNING - the vague and fanciful language presented in the ballot question is not binding on district trustees. The words are focus group tested to provoke an emotional "Yes" vote.

The bond resolution does not have a specific project list as required by the California Constitution Article XIIIA. It is a "wish list" of items that may comprise future projects. There are no cost estimates, no prioritization of projects. The board is even including items that are normal repair and maintenance. Completion is not guaranteed.

The California Constitution requires a "specific list of projects to be funded". Trustee President Denis DeFigueiredo admits the list is general to give the board flexibility. The measure does not qualify for voter consideration as a reduced super-majority 55% bond. Voters can hold the district accountable for constitutional compliance with a NO vote. 

The facilities in Sulphur Springs are reported to be in good condition on the School Accountability Report Card (SCAR), schools are architecturally and structurally sound.

The $78,000,000 authorization is based on the maximum amount of money the district can borrow. The tax rate statement estimates total debt service on Measure US to be $148,000,000. This new tax will be collected until the year 2056.

 In 2012, voters in authorized Measure CK funding in the amount of $72,000,000. The trustees are asking you to layer debt on top of debt. 

The funds approved in 2012 have not been fully expended. Remember, $45,000,000 in borrowing remains to be paid.

Bond Measure US will double the tax amount you pay!

District auditors reported (2018 Performance Audit) that Sulphur Springs did not maintain an active Oversight Committee for Measure CK (2012).

Seniors, veterans, and low income residents are not exempt. 

Demand honesty and full transparency. Vote No!                          www.caltaxsos.com

STEPHEN C. PETZOLD
Principal Officer
The Center for Truth in School Bond Measures

Do not be hoodwinked by the argument in favor. What didn't they tell you?

Sulphur Springs is presenting voters with a deceptive and non-compliant ballot question. Stop the cheating. http://bit.ly/honestballots

Sulphur Springs has not fully allocated the $72,000,000 authorized in Measure CK, approved 2012! This is NOT the time to authorize more debt!

The project list for Measure US is not specific, and includes many items identified in Measure CK.

Sulphur Springs failed to maintain an active Oversight Committee for Measure CK.

There is no guarantee of State matching funds.

New taxes imposed on property owners are layered over existing debt commitments for Sulphur Springs, William S Hart, and College of the Canyons. Enough already!

Generational debt demands careful consideration and prudence.

High taxes and fees are forcing citizens to move out of California.

Federal tax reform limits the amount of local taxes you may deduct.

Oversight Committee members are not independent, and lack training to fulfill their responsibility. The accountants and committee have no say whether expenditures are wise and prudent.

The ballot question fails to identify a maximum interest rate for bond issuance.

The district has a history of issuing Capital Appreciation Bonds, pushing debt repayment into future years.

District staff may be compensated from bond funds per the CA Attorney General, Opinion 04-110. Stop ballot deception!

Demand financial accountability and stewardship. The outcome of this election is final and determinative. Stay in control, protect your property!

Vote NO on Measure US   www.caltaxsos.com

STEPHEN C. PETZOLD
Principal Officer
The Center for Truth in School Bond Measures

Measure US is supported by local teachers, business owners, police and firefighters, and elected leaders because it makes critical safety improvements and upgrades to our community's aging schools.

The single opponent to Measure US who wrote the argument against it doesn't live in our School District, and his statement contains multiple inaccuracies.

The fact is most of our schools were built over 50 years ago and are in need of improvement. Measure US will improve our classrooms and upgrade safety and security at all Sulphur Springs schools. Measure US ensures we have modern schools where students can develop the science, technology, reading, and math skills to prepare for high school, college, and careers.

Planning for these school facilities improvements began in 2017, and a school improvement implementation plan was approved by the District and is available on its website. The projects in Measure US are consistent with the plan and State law.

The District has successfully received State grants to fund previous improvements and will continue aggressively pursuing additional funding from the State and other sources. However, these funds are insufficient to meet the District's identified needs, and all funds from the prior bond have been committed. That's why we need Measure US.

Measure US includes multiple taxpayer protections:

- A Citizens' Oversight Committee to monitor all expenditures

- Annual independent financial and performance audits

- No money for administrator salaries

Sulphur Springs' excellent schools help make our community great and enhance home values. Vote YES on Measure US.

MARIANNE K. HAMOR
Homeowner

ROBERT SCOTT GOODSPEED
CBOC Bond Oversight President

KIRK S. NELSON
Fire Capt. LACoFD

JESSE PEREZ
Parent

JOAN WHALING MACGREGOR
Senior Community Member