FAQ - Measure M Facilities Bond

Supporting Student Success in Cabrillo Unified School District

How are our Coastside schools doing?

Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) has provided quality education to local students for over 50 years. Our elementary schools, intermediate school and high schools help ensure graduates are prepared for their futures. Great schools keep our property values high and our community strong.

What specific projects does Measure M fund?

Measure M funds are used to:

• Replace leaky roofs
• Keep schools clean, well maintained and in good condition
• Perform essential safety repairs and maintenance on classrooms and facilities
• Update classrooms and science labs
• Upgrade fire and earthquake safety
• Equip classrooms with 21st-century learning technology

How do we know funds from Measure M are spent wisely?

Measure M includes the same fiscal accountability provisions that were included in 2012’s Measure S, for which the Citizens’ Oversight Committee reported all funds were spent as promised. These fiscal accountability provisions include:

• All funds raised from Measure M go directly to local classrooms and school facilities – no money can be taken by the State
• Measure M includes annual audits and mandatory citizen oversight
• No funding can be used for administrators’ salaries

How much does Measure M cost?

The annual cost of Measure M is estimated to be $52 per $100,000 in assessed (not market) property value. Assessed value is determined by the San Mateo County Assessor, and is often much closer to the original purchase price of the home than to today’s market value, which can help seniors who have been in their homes a long time.

Do all funds benefit our CUSD schools?

Yes. All funds are locally controlled and benefit CUSD elementary, intermediate and high schools. No funding can be taken away by the State or used for other purposes.

Is there any other source of revenue that could have funded these repairs?

No. Unfortunately, the school district can’t rely on the State or any other source of revenue for school repairs and upgrades. Without Measure M, our schools would have had to continue putting off school repairs and improvements, leading to more expensive updates in the future.

What does the Citizen’s Oversight Committee do?

The Citizen’s Oversight Committee reviews expenditures and ensures that the bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List that was approved by voters.

 

Posted August 2018