Measure U is a bond measure that seeks to allow the Menlo Park School District to issue bonds for school funding. The estimated amount that the bond will raise is a maximum of 123.6 million dollars.
Argument For Measure U
The argument in favor submitted by the Menlo Park City School District, states that the money would be used to replace 65 year old classrooms to meet seismic standards, update security systems, install air conditioning and improve the technology in the classroom. If the measure passes, the goal is to complete some of the smaller projects, like electric vehicle chargers, by summer of 2025. Bigger projects, like remodeling classrooms, will take longer.
Vote Yes on U proposes a tax increase in the Menlo Park area by $19 per $100,000 assessed value. The argument in favor of Measure U also highlights the district’s past financial record. Menlo Park School District has an AAA bond rating, meaning that they are low risk and pay back loans.
Katherine Bicer, campaign manager for Vote Yes On U, argues that Measure U’s positive impact on schools will lead to a better Menlo Park community. She believes that without good public schools people will not want to live in the area, which causes a ripple effect to all parts of the community, like property value and businesses.
“If you don’t have strong schools…you don’t have strong communities,” Bicer said.
Argument Against Measure U
The primary argument against and rebuttal to the argument in favor is written by Mark W.A. Hinkle, president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association.
One of the main concerns about the measure is how the money will be used. Its opposition believes that it is wasteful to spend the money on technology that will quickly become obsolete.
“By the time that bond measure is paid off, that technology is long ago recycled,” Hinkle said. “New technology is going to be purchased in five to ten years with another bond measure, which will again probably be paid off in 30 or 40 years.”
In response to the claims that the AAA bond rating is proven to have helped save money before, Hinkle believes that it’s still bad for taxpayers.
“Having a good bond rating only means you’re going to pay less in interest than other bonds,” Hinkle said. “That just means you’re going to pay slightly less interest…whether you pay 5% or 10% or 20% on a 30 year loan for technology even if you paid 1% interest, it’s still a bad deal because you’re paying interest, which increases the cost of whatever you’re purchasing.”
The arguments against also claim that the bond would be a pointless investment since the money would not be used to hire and train teachers that could help address the issue of lower enrollment and student academic performance in the 2022-2023 school year. Hinkle believes that this bond is rewarding schools for this low performance. Hinkle also took a stance that schools should work within their budget rather than use bonds for funding.
“Government bonds should not be used to pay for school buildings,” Hinkle said. “Private alternatives, including home schooling, can do a better job for our children, at a lower average cost.”
Early voting and mail in ballot dates and locations differ by county. The general election date for in person voting is Nov. 5.
