Question 1

What are Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

Measures C & G will update aging classrooms, labs, job training facilities and learning technology and replace deteriorating portable classrooms. Voting Yes on C & G will support science, technology, engineering and math education in Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS). Measures C & G ensure our local schools are equipped to prepare all students for college and in-demand careers and that all local students have access to the same updated, 21st-century classrooms as other students in Sonoma County already have.

Question 2

Why do we need Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

Most of our local schools were built over 50 years ago and many classrooms, labs, job training facilities and portable classrooms are over 30 years old and are falling apart. Basic repairs are needed to meet modern educational and safety standards.

Question 3

Why are there two measures, and what is the difference between them?

Accepted Answer

Santa Rosa City Schools is comprised of Santa Rosa Elementary School District, which serves local elementary students, and Santa Rosa High School District, which serves local middle and high school students.

Although these districts are governed jointly, they have differing boundaries, so a separate measure must be placed on the ballot for each one. This means that the proceeds from Measure C will benefit local middle and high schools, and the proceeds from Measure G will benefit local elementary schools. Residents of Santa Rosa Elementary School District will vote on both measures, while residents in the High School District but a different elementary school district will just vote on Measure C.

Question 4

How will voting YES on Measures C & G improve local schools?

Accepted Answer

Voting Yes on Measures C & G will:
Update classrooms, science labs, learning technology and job training facilities
Provide updated equipment for classrooms, science and computer labs and libraries
Replace deteriorating portable classrooms
Repair leaky roofs and replace inefficient heating and cooling systems, electrical systems and plumbing
Improve campus security, fire and earthquake safety

Question 5

How can I be sure funds from Measures C & G will be spent properly?

Accepted Answer

Measures C & G includes strict accountability requirements that ensure the funds are spent as promised, including:
Every penny must stay local to repair and upgrade local elementary schools, middle schools and high schools ONLY
No funds may be taken away by the State
By law, no money can be used for administrator salaries
Independent citizens’ oversight, annual audits and public spending disclosure ensure accountability for how funds are spent

Question 6

May funds from Measures C & G be used for administrator salaries or pensions?

Accepted Answer

No. By law, no funds from Measures C & G may be used for operating expenses, including administrator salaries or pensions. Funds may only be used to repair and upgrade local school facilities.

Question 7

Can funds from Measures C & G be taken away by the State or used for other purposes?

Accepted Answer

No. All funds must stay local to improve SRCS schools. No funds can be taken away by the State or used for other purposes.

Question 8

How will Measures C & G improve access for students with disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Measures C & G will provide important improvements for students with disabilities through the use of facilities upgrades to:
Improve ramp and elevator access, which will not only help students in wheelchairs but will also aid students who may have temporary mobility issues such as a broken leg.
Add assistive Technology in the classrooms and common spaces, such as FM radio and speaker classroom upgrades. This will help deaf and hard of hearing students with cochlear implants hear teacher instructions and can be used by all students with or without auditory issues.
Retrofitting existing playgrounds for greater disability access, including by lowering ramps to make it possible for children in wheelchairs to get on the equipment and adding sensory play equipment, modified climbing frames for blind/partially sighted children and swings next to benches so that an adult can sit and swing with a child who cannot swing on their own

Question 9

I don’t have children attending local schools. How will Measures C & G impact me?

Accepted Answer

Whether or not you have school-age children, the quality of local schools impacts the quality of life in our community and impacts local home values. Academic research has shown that good local schools create demand for homes and help keep property values strong. Additionally, SRCS’ facilities benefit the whole community and are available for public use. Residents and local organizations regularly use our schools, athletic facilities and performance spaces for community events.

Question 10

Does SRCS have a detailed plan for the use of funds from Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

Yes, SRCS has worked with architects and educational facilities experts to carefully assess the condition of all school facilities. The Board of Education has approved a detailed Facilities Master Plan that identifies the specific projects with cost estimates that would be completed if Measures C & G are approved by local voters. The Facilities Master Plan is available for review HERE.

Question 11

How much would Measures C & G cost?

Accepted Answer

Measures C & G will provide millions in locally controlled funding for improvements to local facilities and cost property owners 3¢ per $100 of assessed (not market) value of properties per measure.

Question 12

Are senior exemptions available for Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

State law does not allow for any exemptions for bond measures. However, because the cost of the measures is based on the assessed value of properties, older homeowners, who have owned their homes for a long time and have lower assessed values based on the original purchase price, will pay the least.

Question 13

Do businesses contribute to the cost of Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all property owners contribute to the cost of Measures C & G. In fact, larger commercial and industrial properties with higher assessed values pay the most so that businesses pay their fair share of the cost to upgrade the school facilities that help train their workers.

Question 14

Are Measures G & C the only way to address local school facilities needs?

Accepted Answer

SRCS has very few options when it comes to repairing school facilities and modernizing classrooms, labs and career training facilities. The State provides very limited funding for improvements to school facilities and the limited state funding that is available requires local matching funds. Measures G & C provide the locally controlled funding that is needed to upgrade local schools to continue providing high-quality education.

Question 15

How was funding from the bond measures passed in 2014 used?

Accepted Answer

In 2014, local voters overwhelmingly approved Measures I & L with over 64% and 69% support respectively. Funding from these measures has been used to complete Phase I improvements across the District’s school sites. However, it was always known that the facilities needs at local elementary, middle and high schools exceeded the funding that the 2014 bond measures provided. All students deserve to have the same educational opportunities regardless of what school they attend. That is why Measures C & G are needed.

Question 16

Will Measures G & C help SRCS access state matching funds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Measures C & G will provide the local matching funds needed to qualify for state funding for facility upgrades. Without Measures C & G these state funds will go to improve schools serving other communities. State matching funds will help SRCS complete more facility improvements at a lower cost to local property owners.

Question 17

Who is eligible to vote on Measures C & G? How many votes are needed to win?

Accepted Answer

All registered voters residing within the Santa Rosa High School District will vote on Measure C, and all registered voters residing within the Santa Rosa Elementary School District will vote on both Measures C & G. To be approved, Measures C & G require “YES” votes from 55% of the votes cast on each measure.

Question 18

When can I vote YES on Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

Measures C & G will be on the November 8, 2022 ballot. Whether or not you normally vote at the polls, all registered voters living with Santa Rosa City School District will be mailed a ballot the week of October 10. Once you receive your ballot, vote YES on C & G, sign and seal the envelope and mail it back right away. No postage is required. Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 8, 2022.

Question 19

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 Sonoma County Registrar of Voters at (707) 565-6800 or https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/vote.

Question 20

How can I get involved to help pass Measures C & G?

Accepted Answer

Our campaign is a grassroots organization of community members dedicated to passing Measures C & G to repair local schools. Some ways you can help pass Measures C & G include volunteering some time to spread the word about the measures, putting up a lawn sign and adding your name to our growing list of supporters!

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