Why 2014 Measure H is a Precedent for District Bond Spending.

District spending of taxpayer money from the 2014 Measure H bond shows why we should vote NO on the 2018 Measure BB bond. 
We made a Public Records Request and received these files from Santa Clara Unified School District:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lKw1jpUy_6eL9yvjY0392EwRhOTnvD3d?usp=sharing

After a comprehensive analysis, our impressions are as follows: (Numbers are color coded for easy reference in our financial summary below).

1)      All bond spending should be public and available on the SCUSD web site.  It is 2018, way too long for the public to need to use the Public Records Act to get data on a bond measure passed in 2014.  Larry Adams, the Director of School Bond Projects assures us:   “These files are in the process of being posted to our website”.  Two files have been posted.  Where are the rest?

2)      We were SHOCKED to find that the district is spending money, lots of money, on administrators.  Please note the public wase PROMISED on the ballot “no money for administrators”.  Last year alone, $570,788 plus an additional $188,130 in overhead was spent on administrators.  We were lied to.

Ballot language for Measure H of 2014:

To repair or replace deteriorating roofs, plumbing and wiring, remove asbestos, lead and hazardous materials; to upgrade outdated classrooms and career training facilities to support 21st century learning and prepare students for college and careers; to acquire, renovate, construct/equip classrooms and facilities to relieve overcrowding and attract quality teachers, shall the Santa Clara Unified School District issue $419 million in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators and all money staying local?

3)      SCUSD is spending incredibly high amounts of money on seemingly small to medium size capital projects.  For example, the sound system for the Wilcox stadium was deemed “critical” and cost $380,377.25.  How is the sound system for a stadium “critical” and why did it cost so much?

4)       IMPORTANT:  SCUSD has spent just $85 million of the 2014 Measure H $419 million bond.  Why are they asking for $720 million more in Measure BB in our upcoming November election?

5)      The pace of spending appears to be slowing down.  Capital Outlay for 2017 was $38 million.  For 2018 it is on track to be just $15 million.  Why does SCUSD want $720 million more when it appears they don’t know how to spend the money they already have?

6)      SCUSD is issuing bonds long before the money is being spent.  This is poor fiscal policy.  For example, $141 million in bonds was issued in 2015.  Now, in late 2018 SCUSD has spent just $85 million of this money.  A private citizen would never borrow money to buy a house 3 or 4 years in the future.  Yet, issuing bonds (and paying interest) way in advance is what SCUSD is doing!  This year, SCUSD is going to issue $232 million more in bonds.  Why?

7)      Contract Services and Operating Expenses have been HUGE.  For example, this cost us $683,186 in 2015.  What could this possibly be for?  Lawyers?  Bond Contractors?  Per the web site “Big Bad Bonds” page “Parasites”:  There is a full-fledged, multi-billion industry that has grown up around school construction bonds, primarily Proposition 39 bonds because of the low rate of voter approval needed. Some of these firms are consultants or advisors whose main purpose is to manipulate voters into passing bonds from which the firms profit immensely.

Are parasites getting our tax dollars? Are the parasites local or from far flung cities like Sacramento or Los Angeles? (The bond language says “all money stays local”)

8)      In our original Public Records Act request, we asked for a detailed breakdown for Classified Salaries, Employee Benefits, Contract Services and Operating Expenses.  This has not yet been provided.   What is SCUSD hiding?

9)      Based on the financials for Measure H of 2014 taxpayers should vote NO on future school bonds, including BB.  SCUSD a) is not transparent, b) lied to us and is spending money on employee salaries and benefits, c) is spending huge amounts on mystery Contract Services & Expenses, d) is issuing bonds long before funds are required, and e) is spending money on questionable Capital Outlays for items we in the public we have no control over due to the vague wording for this bond on the ballot.  These same issues, if not fixed by SCUSD, will repeat themselves over the 30 year life span of BB.

Here is our summary of the financials on the Google drive: