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Measure M Funding

From the Daily Journal

A committee in support of Measure M the San Mateo Union High School District's $298 million bond measure raised $125,685 to date. Among those donations are $25,000 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 617, $10,000 from Steinberg Architects from San Jose, $5,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, $2,000 from the Plumbers, Steamfitters and Refrigeration Fitters, board President Marcia Cohn-Lyle, $250 from the Building and Construction Trades Council and $200 from the Roofers' Union Local Number 40. The campaign spent $40,000 on a consultant, $12,658 on postage and $5,000 on campaign literature.

– Written by Fiona

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25 responses to “Measure M Funding”

  1. KRN

    Why isn’t there any donations from local families? When the new bond construction list was put together there were no school sponsored committees of school administrators, community leaders, parents, teachers, and students to put forth the future needs of the schools.

    If the bond fails the SMUHSD will have to pay the election fees and its bond consultants out of the general fund. This may be almost $200,000. Can the district really afford to lose $200,000 at this time? Can the public allow this administration to oversee $298 million? While there is a Citizen’s Oversight Committee to see how the money is spent, there is not a group checking on the quality of the construction.

  2. nancy d

    Measure M’s ad campaign is being funded the same way Measure D was in 2000 – primarily by those with a vested interest in the construction. Go to http://www.beresfordhillsdale.org (a San Mateo neighborhood web site) to see who the big contributors are.

    It’s a real eye opener …

  3. Mac

    Is it legal for a public entity to receive donations from these groups?
    If these groups donate $25,000 and Measure M passes, then they would be in line for a probable multi-million dollar contract from the school district…???

  4. Mac

    Does anyone know if the companies hired to do the initial modernization were able to stay within their budgets, or were they over budget? If they were over budget, how much over were they? Are these the same companies lining up for more contracts if Measure M passes?

  5. KRN

    From the ww.beresfordhillsdale.org website

    Con Arguments:
    1) The bond passed in 2000 was for $137.5 million. How can it cost twice that amount ($298 million) to complete? the work?

    2) Construction funded by the 2000 measure suffered from contractor and sub-contractor bankruptcies, as well as construction defects. Superintendent Johnson admits problems but says it was a learning experience.? Taxpayer money should not be spent so the District can learn? how to handle money.

    3) This bond and the previous 2000 bond will be paid by students now in our schools. Do we want to saddle them with $435.5 million, plus interest, of debt?

    4) Measure D (2000) and Measure M (2006) campaigns have been largely funded by companies subsequently hired to work on SMUHSD projects, e.g., Steinberg Group, Kitchell, Bill Gould Design.

    5) Is it truly necessary to build a new 1000 seat theater and a new 1500 seat gym at Aragon?

    6) San Mateo High was completely rebuilt at a cost of $70 million. Now more money is going to be spent at that campus?

    7) The Oversight Committee is appointed by the School District; it is not independent.

    Source: Questions and comments from United Homeowners’ Association and Beresford-Hillsdale Neighborhood Association meetings (9/21 and 10/17/06, respectively).

    As stated above, there has been NO community input on the projects listed for this second bond. How does the district know what the schools need if they don’t talk to the people who go to or use the schools.

  6. nancy d

    http://www.beresfordhillsdale.org/ shows top contributors to the two high school bond measures, 2006 and 2000 (below). Did the Daily Journal have a complete list of all contributions?

    MEASURE M (2006) CONTRIBUTORS

    UBS(Union Bank of Switzerland) Securities, LLC (UBS-Warburg/Paine-Webber owned Bay Meadows properties) $25,000

    Skanska USA Building, Inc. (was paid over $97,000 by SMUHSD for “pre-bond” services) $10,000

    Kitchell Corporation (Kitchell CEM) (Managed construction projects at all SMUHSD high schools) $10,000

    HMC (School and civic bldg. architects) $5,000

    Bill Gould Design (Lead architect: Capuchino High School remodeling)
    $5,000

    AEDIS Architecture & Planning (Site architect: Burlingame High School remodeling) $5,000

    McKim Design Group $5,000

    Margaret Stelling, Phil Stelling Enrolled agent own business ( accounting/tax services?) $5,000

    Alfa Tech (Consulting Engineers, Inc) (Scott Giddens, Senior Principal; Bob Falciani, Partner) $3,000

    Carducci & Associates, Inc. (Landscapers for SM high school remodeling) $2,500

    MEASURE D (2000) CONTRIBUTORS
    The Steinberg Group (Architects for SMUHSD high school remodeling)
    $15,600

    Kitchell CEM, Inc.,(Managed construction projects at all SMUHSD high schools) $15,175

    Paine Webber (Bay Meadows owner; Ray Kuratek, Terry Fancher headed fund) $13,000

    Vanir Construction Management, Inc. (Built Foster City Govt. Center)
    $11,750

    Bill Gould Design Site Architect: Capuchino High $7,550

    Approximately 50% of total Measure D $$ came from above 5 sources.

    * Source: California Form 460 on file with SM County Elections office.

  7. Anonymous

    Is there a site to find out where the money is earmarked for. In other words which schools will be getting the money and for which projects? I think that would be an interesting factor to make a decision.

  8. Anonymous

    From the District Website:

    Six years ago, San Mateo Union High School District voters, for the first time in
    its history, overwhelmingly approved a bond to repair and rehabilitate Aragon,
    Burlingame, Capuchino, Hillsdale, Mills, and San Mateo High Schools that are
    now 45 to 83 years old. The District wisely used the money generated from
    Measure D, and other resources, to pay for the first phase of repairs of these
    schools. New classrooms were built; old ones remodeled. Libraries were built
    new, or remodeled and expanded. Old bathrooms were renovated; new ones built.
    New science labs were built; old ones modernized. Even with these significant
    improvements, there is much that remains to be done on aging campuses. Today, voters are being asked to continue supporting the District’s commitment to provide safe, quality facilities for students and teachers, for generations to come.

    Among the Measure M projects that need to be completed:
    Additional seismic retrofits; improvements to fire safety and security systems in remaining buildings
    Removal/disposal of hazardous materials in remodeling work
    Remodel remaining classrooms including art, industrial and technology arts
    Improvements to exterior lighting systems for safety
    More accessibility upgrades mandated by Americans with Disabilities Act including ramps, aisles, seating, doors, hardware
    Where needed, replace old, deteriorating roofs and windows
    Provide additional classrooms and labs on several campuses
    Replace old plumbing, sewer, storm drainage systems
    Provide energy efficient interior lighting systems to comply with codes, where needed
    Renovate gyms and locker rooms as needed; repair pools
    Remodel theaters
    Remodel San Mateo Performing Arts Center which is used by the entire community district-wide and home to Peninsula Speakers Lecture Series, Broadway by the Bay, Performing Arts for Youth Society, Peninsula Symphony.

    District students are performing better academically than at any other time in the
    District’s rich academic history by any measure observed. Our high schools achieve national and state recognition for student accomplishment including being named among Newsweek Magazine’s Top 100 in America. Having excellent school facilities is essential, not only for our students’ future academic success, but also for our communities’ economic growth and quality of life. Measure M money will remain in our community to benefit all of us. An independent citizen’s oversight committee will monitor spending to insure funds are used as intended.

    No argument in opposition to Measure M was filed with the Elections Office
    Questions and Answers and complete Measure D Projects List follows

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT MEASURE M
    What is Measure M?
    On November 7th, voters in the San Mateo Union High School District will be asked to
    approve a $298 million facilities improvement bond measure to enable the District to
    continue to repair, remodel, expand, build new, and replace outdated and inadequate and
    aging facilities, ensuring that they support the highest levels of academic achievement.
    Measure M is a cost-effective plan and all money generated from Measure M will stay in
    our community.
    Why is Measure M needed?
    The SMUHSD has done an excellent job of maintaining facilities at schools that now range
    from 45-83 years in age. In 2000, for the first time in its history, voters overwhelmingly
    approved a bond to repair and rehabilitate Aragon, Burlingame, Capuchino, Hillsdale, Mills
    and San Mateo High Schools. The District wisely used the money generated by Measure D
    and other resources to pay for major repairs of these schools. Even with these significant
    improvements there is much that remains to be done on aging campuses.
    Will business owners and renters share in the cost?
    Yes. Owners of commercial and rental property will pay the same rate as everyone else.
    How can I be sure that Measure M money will be spent correctly?
    By law, these funds can only be spent for projects on the Measure M projects list approved
    by voters. The law also requires annual financial and performance audits by an Independent
    Citizens Oversight Committee to make sure all funds are spent as voters intended.
    What will happen if Measure M doesn’t pass?
    Every year that repairs and upgrades are delayed will only increase the future costs of
    construction, repair and renovation.
    What will Measure M cost me?
    Measure M will cost each property owner $16 per year per $100,000 of assessed value, not to
    be confused with market value. All of this money is tax deductible to the same extent as the rest of your property taxes.
    I do not have children in the SMUHSD schools. How does Measure M
    benefit me?
    Residents of our communities have a long history of supporting our schools, whether or not
    they have children in school. We know that good schools provide quality education and help
    maintain property values. Schools in the SMUHSD receive state and national recognition
    for student accomplishments. First rate schools attract families who want to raise their
    children here and enhance the overall well-being of our community. That is why many
    residents who no longer have children in the schools remain active as volunteers and
    supporters of the schools.
    How will the State propositions on the ballot affect SMUHSD?
    The State measures, if successful, will provide funds to all qualifying schools around the
    state. In the past, the majority of these taxes have gone to the larger, urban schools. ALL
    Measure M money will stay in our community to benefit our students.
    Where do I get more information?
    Please contact the District: 650-558-2201. Measure M Bond projects lists are available at
    each school.
    Aragon High School – Opened in 1961
    900 Alameda de las Pulgas in San Mateo
    Serving the Cities of San Mateo and Hillsborough
    Improvements to fire safety systems, including alarms and sprinklers, in buildings where
    needed
    Install improvements to exterior lighting and lighting control systems for parking lots,
    walkways, and emergency exits, for safety/security
    Remove and dispose of hazardous materials in buildings to be remodeled
    Safety and accessibility improvements to walkways and bleachers
    Provide air conditioning for classrooms that become excessively hot due to skylights and
    metal wall construction that conduct heat
    Replace old campus plumbing systems for water, gas and heat; sewer system; storm drainage
    Replace main telecommunication phone and cable services to the campus
    Update campus electrical power system
    Provide energy efficient interior lighting and energy management controls and security
    system in music classrooms, gyms, locker rooms, remodeled student services building
    Replace old, deteriorating windows
    Paint exterior of renovated buildings
    Replace 45-year-old, 350-seat theater with new, school-community theater building to seat
    approximately 1,000; including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility
    compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware)
    Relocate outdoor basketball courts as needed to facilitate new construction
    Expand and remodel 45-year-old, 650-seat gym to create spectator seating for approximately 1,500; including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware); new floor; and upgrade finishes, including paint, to walls and ceiling
    Install new floor and upgrade finishes, including paint, to walls and ceilings in old small gym
    Remodel old locker rooms, including new lockers where needed
    Expand and remodel severely undersized, 45-year-old student services building
    Construct new art classroom
    Provide indoor seating area (which presently does not exist) for old cafeteria; replace
    outdated food service equipment; refurbish walls, ceiling, floor, etc.
    Renovate old pool and upgrade filtration system for efficiency and safety
    Provide new restroom building/storage facility at football/soccer field for use at school community sporting events
    Improvements to interior courtyard surfaces and landscaping
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and internal fire access roads, as needed
    Burlingame High School Opened in 1923
    1 Mangini Way in Burlingame
    Serving the Cities of Burlingame and Hillsborough
    Improvements to fire safety systems, including alarms and sprinklers, in gym buildings
    Install improvements to exterior lighting and lighting control systems for parking lots,
    walkways, and emergency exits, for safety/security
    Remove and dispose of hazardous materials in buildings to be remodeled
    Safety and accessibility improvements to walkways, bleachers, and bus stop; accessible doors and door hardware for home economics buildings and gym/locker rooms
    Improvements to heating, ventilation, electrical, security systems in gym buildings; new
    security system for home economics building
    Improvements to campus fire-fighting water supply system
    Replace old campus plumbing systems for water, sewer, storm drainage
    Replace old roofs on cafeteria and home economics/classroom buildings, gym building, and
    old, worn sections of the clay tile roofing on main building built in 1920s
    Replace aging exterior stucco on home economics and cafeteria buildings
    Install energy management controls for mechanical equipment throughout the campus, to
    comply with energy efficiency standards
    Extensively remodel 83-year-old theater, including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware), new heating and ventilation system
    Replace 78-year-old shop building with new, larger technology arts building to provide
    modern, safe classrooms
    Remove old portable classroom buildings currently located in the campus courtyard
    Extensively remodel old cafeteria building including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility compliance; new security, heating, ventilation and electrical systems; food service equipment
    Install new floors in large and small gyms; upgrade finishes, including paint, to walls, ceilings, and floors in gyms, locker rooms, and physical education classrooms
    Repair/replace pool filtration pump/piping
    Provide new restroom building/storage facility at football/soccer field for use at schoolcommunity sporting events
    Improvements to interior courtyard surfaces and landscaping
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and internal fire access roads, as needed
    Capuchino High School Opened in 1950
    1501 Magnolia Drive in San Bruno
    Serving the Cities of San Bruno and Millbrae
    Install improvements to exterior lighting and lighting control systems for parking lots,
    walkways, and emergency exits, for safety/security
    Remove and dispose of hazardous materials in buildings to be remodeled
    Safety and accessibility improvements to walkways and bleachers
    Replace antiquated boiler system with new stand-alone heating and ventilation systems in
    theater and gym buildings
    Improvements to electrical, security, clock, bell and emergency lighting systems in theater and gym buildings
    Replace campus fire-fighting water supply system
    Replace old plumbing systems for water, gas, sewer, storm drainage in theater and gyms
    Replace old roofs and deteriorating windows of science building, theater and gyms
    Provide energy efficient interior lighting, and energy management controls for lighting and mechanical equipment to comply with energy efficiency standards
    Replace 56-year-old classroom building with large, state-of-the-art Humanities building to provide approximately 25 classrooms; demolish old building
    Demolish old, now-defunct cafeteria building (that was replaced with a new structurally safe facility in 2004) and remove old portable classrooms
    Extensively remodel and expand 47-year-old theater building, add music classrooms (music
    classes are currently being conducted in portable buildings, which will be removed);
    including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware); exterior finishes and paint
    Construct new center and play yard for Child Growth and Development program
    Extensive renovation and expansion of 56-year-old pool facility to State and District
    standards for safety, accessibility and efficiency
    Remodel old locker rooms, gyms and physical education classrooms, including
    improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility (such as ramps, doors and door
    hardware); refinish interiors, including new floors, ceiling and wall finishes, paint; replace lockers
    Provide new restroom building/storage facility at football/soccer field for use at schoolcommunity sporting events
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and internal fire access roads, as needed
    Extend, repair and paint covered walkways, as needed
    Hillsdale High School Opened in 1956
    3115 Del Monte Street in San Mateo
    Serving the Cities of Foster City and San Mateo
    Improvements to fire safety systems, including alarms and sprinklers, in industrial
    technology building
    Install improvements to exterior lighting and lighting control systems for parking lots,
    walkways, and emergency exits, for safety/security
    Remove and dispose of hazardous materials in buildings to be remodeled
    Safety and accessibility improvements to walkways and bleachers; accessible doors and door hardware for industrial technology building
    Provide air conditioning for classrooms that become excessively hot due to skylights and
    metal wall construction that conduct heat
    Improvements to campus fire-fighting water supply system
    Replace old campus plumbing systems for water, gas and heat; sewer system; storm drainage
    Improvements to plumbing in industrial technology building
    Improvements to electrical, security, clock, bell and emergency lighting systems in industrial technology building
    Replace old, deteriorating roofs and skylights in industrial technology building
    Replace old, deteriorating windows
    Paint exterior of renovated buildings
    Provide energy efficient interior lighting, and energy management controls in art and music classrooms, cafeteria, two theaters, industrial technology building and gyms
    Extensively remodel large and small 50-year-old theaters including improvements for fire,
    seismic safety and accessibility compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware), heating and ventilation system
    Renovate old cafeteria, including replacement of outdated kitchen equipment; new finishes
    to walls, ceiling, floor
    Renovate old pool
    Replace old, worn student lockers
    Remodel old gyms and physical education classroom interiors, including new floors, upgrade finishes, paint; replace 50-year-old bleachers; provide new sound system for large gym
    Provide new restroom building/storage facility at football/soccer field for use at schoolcommunity sporting events
    Improvements to interior courtyard surfaces and landscaping
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and internal fire access roads, as needed
    Mills High School Opened in 1958
    400 Murchison Drive in Millbrae
    Serving the Cities of San Bruno and Millbrae
    Seismic upgrades and improvements to fire safety systems, including alarms and sprinklers, in buildings housing gyms/locker rooms, art and industrial technology
    Install improvements to exterior lighting and lighting control systems for parking lots,
    walkways, and emergency exits, for safety/security
    Remove and dispose of hazardous materials in buildings to be remodeled
    Safety and accessibility improvements to walkways and bleachers, and accessible doors and
    door hardware in buildings housing gyms/locker rooms, art and industrial technology
    Provide air conditioning for classrooms that become excessively hot due to skylights and
    metal wall construction that conduct heat
    Install new heating and ventilation system with energy management controls to comply with
    energy efficiency standards in buildings housing gyms/locker rooms, theater, art and
    industrial technology
    Complete upgrade of old boiler system
    Improvements to campus fire-fighting water supply system
    Replace old campus plumbing systems for water, gas and heat; sewer system; storm drainage
    Improvements to electrical, security, clock, bell and emergency lighting systems in buildings housing gyms/locker rooms, theater, art and industrial technology
    Update campus electrical power system to increase capacity
    Install central cable for school-wide media production capability
    Provide energy efficient interior lighting, and energy management controls in buildings
    housing theater, art and industrial technology, gyms/locker rooms
    Replace old, deteriorating roofs and skylights in theater, art and industrial technology
    buildings, gyms/locker rooms
    Replace old, deteriorating windows
    Paint exterior of renovated buildings
    Extensive renovation of 48-year-old pool and pool filtration system for efficiency and safety
    Renovate old cafeteria including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility
    compliance (such as ramps, accessible serving and seating areas); update lighting and energy efficient lighting controls; interior finishes for ceiling, walls, floor; replace outdated kitchen equipment
    Remodel 48-year-old buildings housing industrial technology, computer-assisted drafting,
    and art, including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility compliance (such as ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware)
    Extensively remodel old theater, including improvements for fire, seismic safety and
    accessibility compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware)
    Build new academic classroom building to provide approximately nine additional classrooms
    and labs; remove old portable classrooms
    Replace old, worn student lockers
    Upgrade wall and ceiling finishes, including paint, and replace floors in large and small gyms, physical education classrooms and old locker rooms
    Improvements to interior courtyard surfaces and landscaping
    Provide new restroom building/storage facility at football/soccer field for use at schoolcommunity sporting events
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas, pedestrian walkways, internal fire access roads and east access road, as needed
    San Mateo High School
    506 North Delaware Street in San Mateo
    Serving the Cities of Foster City, San Mateo, and Hillsborough
    The original San Mateo High School was built in 1927. The new San Mateo High School opened in 2005. Improvements are to be made to the site itself, and to replace the remaining 78-year-old building currently housing music instruction, a small theater, and the biotechnology program.
    Improvements to exterior lighting, where needed, and lighting control systems for parking
    lots, walkways, and emergency exits
    Improvements to provide disabled access to athletic fields, courts and bleachers
    Replace old plumbing systems for water and gas; sewer system; storm drainage connections
    for new building
    Replace 78-year-old building with larger, state-of-the-art facility to accommodate
    instructional classrooms including for music, ceramics, labs for biotechnology, and Flex
    theater; demolish old building
    Connect new building to campus fire-fighting water supply system
    Provide new restroom building/storage facility at football/soccer field for use at schoolcommunity sporting events
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas and internal fire access road, as needed
    Crestmoor Site Opened in 1962
    300 Piedmont Avenue in San Bruno
    Serving all District communities
    The Crestmoor site houses Peninsula High School, Crayon College day care program, a San Mateo County Superior Court room, the District’s Maintenance and Operations Department, and a branch of the Transportation Department.
    Improvements to fire safety systems, including alarms and sprinklers, in buildings where
    needed
    Improvements to exterior circulation lighting for safety/security
    Safety and accessibility improvements to restrooms, walkways; accessible doors and door
    hardware
    Update old main campus electrical power switchgear equipment
    Upgrade exteriors of buildings, including paint
    Resurface, rebuild and re-stripe parking areas, pedestrian walkways, as needed
    San Mateo Performing Arts Center Opened in 1954
    600 North Delaware Street in San Mateo
    Serving all District communities and San Mateo County
    This 52-year-old theater building is home to the Peninsula Speakers Lecture Series, Broadway by the Bay, Peninsula Symphony Orchestra, and Performing Arts for Youth Society and is in constant use by the community district-wide for various other events, including graduation ceremonies for schools, and for San Mateo High School drama and musical productions.
    Extensive remodeling, including improvements for fire, seismic safety and accessibility
    compliance (such as aisles, ramps, accessible seating, doors and door hardware), new roof,
    security systems; new heating/air conditioning
    Replace old plumbing systems for water and gas; sewer system; storm drainage
    Rebuild and repave driveway approach for safer public, bus access
    Other Necessary and Incidental Work All Sites (at which construction/remodeling work to be completed as authorized by this Bond Projects List)
    Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/remodeling (such as utility line
    breaks, dryrot, seismic, structural, etc.); remove and dispose of hazardous materials, as
    needed
    Necessary site preparation/restoration or demolition, in connection with new construction, renovation, remodeling, or installation or removal of temporary relocatables for classrooms and other purposes, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, drainage, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property
    Rent or construct temporary storage facilities, other space, as needed to house construction materials, equipment, and personnel, and interim classrooms (including relocatables), for students or other storage for classroom materials displaced during construction
    Acquire any of the facilities on the Bond Projects List through temporary lease or leasepurchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities, or prepay and redeem any lease obligations issued/entered into for purposes of financing any of these authorized facilities
    Furnish and equip
    newly constructed/remodeled classrooms and facilities
    replace worn, broken, and out-of-date furniture and equipment
    Further Information: Superintendent’s Office: (650) 558-2201

  9. ASE

    Mac, they may have stayed within their budget. I don’t know that. But I do know that along they way, many things were cut. This year I’ve hear a lot of “We were supposed to have this, but…” “This was supposed to be finished, but…” Even if they did technically stay within their budget, it was because they cut many things that Measure D was should have covered.

  10. Anonymous

    The Performing Arts Center, though probably not completely ADA or earthquake compliant, is very nice and very comfortable–it always has been. I’d hate to see that beautiful wood paneling removed or painted, or covered or whatever they’ve got planned. I could definitely see improvements to the stage and pit area, but not so much on the rest. The words, “Extensive Remodeling” kind of scare me….

  11. nancy d

    Did the bankruptcies of the contractors and contractors working on the high school remodeling eat into available funds from Measure D?

    Students at Hillsdale High said there were many, many construction defects that resulted in additional work having to be done.

    Who was on the Oversight Committee for the schools? I’d like to hear their comments about what happened during the construction.

  12. Nancy D

    The previous school superintendent, Thomas Mohr, said the 2000 Measure D Master Plan included “only those items …which are essental to educating our children.”

    Has anyone seen a breakdown of what was spent at each of the high school campuses?

  13. Anonymous

    I have a question about the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Why isn’t that facility generating enough money from the rental of use for Peninsula Speakers Lecture Series, Broadway by the Bay, Performing Arts for Youth Society, Peninsula Symphony and other such uses to pay for its own renovations. Why does it need this money?

  14. nancy d

    Coachez wife –
    That is a good question and one wonders why school bond money should be earmarked for the CPA.

    Do you happen to know how much of the $298 million is going to the CPA? $298 million is a lot of additional money to be spent on the high schools, especially since SM High was razed and completely rebuilt. I would hope they aren’t planning on putting $$$ into Crestmoor but I haven’t seen dollar amounts for any of the proposed projects.

  15. Anonymous

    Just remember, if you have a question about any of the above and you pass this measure, you will be living with the sins of the past and the sins of the present.

    Look at is this way, if you were investing in you retirement would you place you hard earned money in this fund or wait until another fund came along that offered a more comprehensive package with less unanswered questions and more facts.

    Remember a BAD debt today will spill over to your children’s tomorrow!

  16. KRN

    This bond has been put together before the paint has dried on the current renovation. There has not been enough though or public input into the construction projects listed for this bond. The district needs time to think about the future and gain public input projects funded by the public. We don’t need to repair Crestmoor and the other projects need more time and deliberation. Its a no vote from my home.

  17. bill

    ASE, Haven’t you learned your lesson yet regarding the inapproriateness of repeating hearsay comments? Did your experience with comments re BIS teach you nothing? From whom did you hear the comments you repeat in your blog? Are they in a position to actually have knowledge? What things were cut? When were they cut? Who made the decision? Why was the decison made? Before you blog, you ought to observe the rudimentary niceties of good journalism?

    KRN, isn’t it really more that you will be against anything that Sam Johnson is for? Not the most thoughtful way to approach a situation that affects others’ children.

  18. Bob-BHS Parent

    Bill, ASE may be wrong or right but if repeating “hearsay comments” is “inappropriate” on the Burlingame Voice then the Voice should be kaput.

    Some of these “hearsay” comments can easily be corrected by readers going to the source, or the source themselves refuting the “hearsay comments” with the click of a computer. As seen recently with “Fallen Giants”, some information written on the Voice is incorrect and, as adults, we can either shoot the messengers, read the information with a grain of salt/adultness, or go get the correct answers.

    Your choice.

  19. Anonymous

    Bob, you forgot one thing … you can do as I do and “pass” on some author’s posts.

  20. Mac

    Perhaps the community is a little hesitant about approving and handing over $298 million to people who apparently have a record of mismanaging money. Seems logical enough…

  21. Mac

    I’m not sure if saying “a record of mismanaging money” is hearsay or factual information in regards to SMUHSD. Has money been mismanaged over the past few years? If so, are these the same people who’ll be managing the $298 million if Measure M is approved?

  22. Nancy D.

    The Beresford Hillsdale neighborhood group in San Mateo sent out an email with updates of $$$ spent for the Yes on Measure M committee. These are the top contribution amounts:

    UBS Securities, LLC (UBS-Warburg/Paine-Webber owned Bay Meadows properties) Los Angeles $25,000

    International Brotherhood Electrical Workers Local 617 San Mateo $25,000

    Skanska USA Building, Inc.(was paid over $97,000 by SMUHSD for “pre-bond” services) Parsippany, NJ $10,000

    Kitchell Corporation (Kitchell CEM) (managed construction projects at all SMUHSD high schools) Phoenix, AZ $10,000

    Steinberg Architects(architect for Measure D 2000 high school construction) San Jose $10,000

    McKim Design Group San Jose $5,000

    HMC (School and civic bldg. architects) Ontario, CA $5,000

    AEDIS Architecture & Planning (Site architect: Burlingame High School remodeling) San Jose $5,000

    Bunton, Clifford & Associates (Architect: San Mateo High School) Fremont $5,000

    Bill Gould Design(Lead architect: Capuchino High School remodeling) San Jose $5,000

    Sheet Metal Workers International Assoc.San Ramon $5,000

    Alfa Tech (Consulting Engineers, Inc) (Scott Giddens, Senior Principal; Bob Falciani, Partner) San Jose $3,000

    Carducci & Associates, Inc.(Landscapers for SMUHSD Measure D school remodeling) San Francisco $2,500

    Friends of Charles Ramsey 1283550(Contra Costa Co. School Board candidate; Richmond Planning Comm) El Cerrito $2,500

    Plumbers, Steamfitters, Refrigeration Fitters Local 467 Burlingame $2,000

    Thomas Mohr President Skyline College (former SMUHSD supe; led earlier bond measures) San Mateo $1,000

    Bill Lyle & Marcia Cohn-Lyle Retired (Marcia SMUHSD Board of Trustees)Foster City $1,000

  23. ASE

    Bill, I only repeated what I heard. My conversations are first-hand accounts, therefore, not hearsay. And please don’t pretend like you know enough about my situation with the BIS blog to question whether or not I learned my lesson. There are many things you don’t know or understand. And if you refuse to believe that contruction was incomplete, then go into Room A129 2nd period. It’s like a meat locker in there. After that you can go to A105 during 3rd period and it’s like a suana. I can tell you right now that I wouldn’t trust anyone who managed the passed renovations to run the next ones (if, regretably, they occur). They did a very unthorough, incomplete job. As far as my references, I’ll go talk to them and ask if they’re willing to have their names up hear for you all to beat around and criticize because you’re no better, Bill, than you say KRN is. I disagree with you, so you attack me. Very mature.

  24. Brad

    ASE, with all due respect, repeating what you heard IS hearsay (check it out) and there is a good reason to try to limit that here and elsewhere. She said, he said…. It doesn’t take too long before reputations are ruined.

  25. Mac

    “No argument in opposition to Measure M was filed with the Elections Office”

    Perhaps no argument was filed against Measure M because because the public was not aware of the $73 million debt owed by SMUHSD.

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