Measure D | californiachoices.org

My vote

Would authorize the Sacramento City Unified School District to issue and sell bonds of up to $543,000,000 in order to expand Science,Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) classrooms; replace leaky roofs; and upgrade school security. Property tax will be collected on properties in the district in order to pay principal and interest on the bonds. Measure D requires at least fifty-five percent (55%) of the vote in order to pass.

Fiscal Impact: The average annual tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over the entire duration of the bond debt service is estimated to be $34.96 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The final fiscal year in which the tax is anticipated to be collected is 2052-53.

Next Sacramento County Measure: Measure E

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Details

Pro/Con

Pro:

Supporters argue that Sacramento’s public schools are vital to our community’s prosperity. They teach our children critical skills and prepare them for future success, all while enhancing the value of our homes and businesses. Our schools are one of our community’s most valuable assets and must remain our top priority.

Your YES vote on Measure D is crucial for our children’s education. Measure D provides essential resources for a comprehensive and exceptional education—with NO INCREASE IN CURRENT TAX RATES.

A YES vote on this measure means: you want Sacramento City USD to issue and sell bonds to support STEAM, classroom improvement, and school security.

Con:

Opponents argue that we all want great and modern twenty first century schools, and we also all want the most for our bond dollars. Our concern is how the bond dollars are being spent. From our perspective, it seems other school districts are getting more done for their teachers, students, and staff as they have more efficient policies and procedures in place for the use of their general fund and bond dollars. Taxpayers should take a look at history and the current policies set in place by this District, and the outcomes of recent financial audits. Can steps be taken to reduce the cost of projects? Take a look how this district bonds are paid off. How much are we spending in interest to repay current bond obligations, and can we do better? Taxpayers should first demand more accountability in how money is spent before we move forward with another bond at this time.

A NO vote on this measure means: you do not want Sacramento City USD to issue and sell bonds to support STEAM, classroom improvement, and school security.

In Depth

Measure D authorizes the Sacramento City Unified School District to issue and sell bonds of up to $543,000,000 in order to expand Science,Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) classrooms; replace leaky roofs; and upgrade school security. Property tax will be collected on properties in the district in order to pay principal and interest on the bonds.

District voters have previously approved bond authorizations in 2012 and 2020, the combined tax rate associated with these prior authorizations averaged $120 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value) of taxable property. Though bond funding has made a significant impact, our local schools still have urgent needs that reach beyond the scope of the District’s annual operating budget, such that passing this bond measure provides a guaranteed and necessary source of local funding to maintain and improve the community’s local school facilities.

Measure D will provide funds for technology, infrastructure, performing arts center, HVAC, and landscape improvements at 9 school facilities across the district. Funding will support the district in upgrading, installing, and expanding district-wide technology including computers, tablets, peripheral hardware, software, classroom technology tools, data backup systems, remote learning software, internet, wi-fi, network connections and infrastructure, and other equipment conducive to a modern learning environment.

In order to finance the principal and interest on the bonds, property tax of approximately $34.96 per $100,000 of assessed valuation will be levied on properties in the district through 2052-53 FY.

Source: Impartial Analysis of Measure D

Voter Resources

Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections Office