Question 1

What is Measure P?

Accepted Answer

Most local elementary and intermediate schools were built more than 50 years ago and aging classrooms and labs need updates to meet current health, safety, technology and instructional standards. Measure P will provide local funding to make these ongoing improvements without raising taxes.

Question 2

How are Oak Grove schools doing?

Accepted Answer

Quality schools improve neighborhood safety and the value of our homes. With seventeen of our schools having earned the prestigious California Distinguished School Award, Oak Grove School District is one of the top performing districts in Santa Clara County.

Question 3

Why should I vote Yes on Measure P if I don’t have kids in school?

Accepted Answer

Measure P presents a unique opportunity to fund critical upgrades to local schools without increasing tax rates. Good schools are a part of what makes our community a great place to live, whether or not you have school-aged children. Quality schools make for a strong community, protecting property values and enhancing our quality of life. When our schools succeed, local kids succeed and we all succeed.

Question 4

Why do we need Measure P now?

Accepted Answer

While most schools are now over 50 years old, the District has effectively used prior voter-approved measures to repair and upgrade buildings to keep them safe and functioning. However, our classrooms, science labs, and other learning spaces have not kept pace with advances in learning and technology and must now be improved. With old school bonds set to expire, we have an opportunity now to fund school repairs and upgrades by simply extending, but not increasing, current tax rates.

Question 5

What sort of basic repairs and safety upgrades will Measure P fund?

Accepted Answer

Measure P will complete the basic repairs needed to keep schools safe and functioning. That includes repairing or replacing leaky roofs, removing hazardous materials, updating school security and fire safety systems, and making classrooms earthquake safe and accessible for students with disabilities. Students should focus on lessons in the classroom, not health and safety concerns.

Question 6

Will Measure P also support 21st-century instructional methods?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Measure P will fund critical updates to classrooms, labs, career training facilities and instructional technology to prepare students for high school, college and future careers. This will provide students with the skills needed to eventually compete in the competitive economy.

Question 7

What specific priority repairs and improvements will Measure P support?

Accepted Answer

Measure P will address high-priority facility needs, including:
Modernize classrooms and improve student and teacher access to computers and modern technology to better prepare students for high school, college, and careers
Improve student safety through classroom and school security enhancements including improved lighting, secure fencing, and controlled access to classrooms and school sites
Upgrade science labs and construct learning spaces to support robotics, engineering, visual/performing arts, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education
Provide facilities to support and enhance District education programs

Question 8

How can we be sure that Measure P funding will be spent as promised?

Accepted Answer

Measure P includes strict mandatory fiscal accountability requirements to ensure that all funds are spent as promised and every penny benefits Oak Grove schools only.
An independent citizens’ oversight committee, annual audits, public spending disclosure, and detailed project list ensure funds are spent as promised
All funds must be used locally and no funds can be taken by the State
No funds can be used for administrator or teacher salaries or benefits
Tax rates will not increase above what we already pay

Question 9

Will Measure P increase the tax rates paid by local residents?

Accepted Answer

No. Measure P will generate $236 million in locally controlled funding by extending but not increasing tax rates. If Measure P is approved, tax rates will not exceed the amount local property owners already pay.

Question 10

Are senior exemptions available?

Accepted Answer

By state law, no exemptions may be provided for bond measures. However, this measure does not increase tax rates beyond what we currently pay. Furthermore, the total cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of a home, not the market value. The longer a home has been owned, the lower the assessed value because it is based on the original purchase price. Typically, older homeowners who have owned their homes the longest pay the least for bond measures.

Question 11

Were funds from past bond measures spent properly?

Accepted Answer

Oak Grove School District has a strong history of fiscal responsibility and using taxpayer money carefully with the record to prove it. The independent citizens’ oversight committee that reviews all past bond expenditures has consistently reported that funds have been used only for voter-approved purposes.

Question 12

Can the State take away funding from Measure P?

Accepted Answer

No. All funds generated from a measure must be controlled locally and used to support Oak Grove schools only. By law, funds from this measure may not be taken away by the state or used for other purposes.

Question 13

Can Measure P funds be used for administrator, teacher or staff salaries or benefits?

Accepted Answer

No. By law funds from Measure P may only be used to improve aging classrooms and school facilities. No funds may be used for school district administrator, teacher or staff salaries or benefits.

Question 14

Would Measure P help Oak Grove schools qualify for state matching funds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Funds from Measure P will be used to help Oak Grove schools compete for state matching funds that would otherwise go to other school districts.

Question 15

Who gets to vote on Measure P? How many votes are needed to win?

Accepted Answer

All voters registered in Oak Grove School District are eligible to vote on the measure. To be approved, Measure P requires Yes votes from 55% of the votes cast on the measure.

Question 16

When can I vote Yes on Measure P?

Accepted Answer

Measure P will be on the November 8, 2022 General Election ballot. All California voters will receive a ballot in the mail the week on October 10. Once you receive your ballot, vote Yes on P, sign and seal the envelope and mail it back right away. No postage is required. Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 8, 2022. The County will also offer in-person voting centers on and before Election Day and many polling locations will be open from 7am-8pm on November 8.

Question 17

How can I register to vote or learn more about voting?

Accepted Answer

You can register to vote at www.registertovote.ca.gov. To find out more about voting in this election, please contact the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters at (866) 430-VOTE (8683) or visit www.sccvote.sccgov.org

Frequently Asked Questions