Measure N is good for kids and taxpayers

A letter from Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and Sacramento Metro Chamber CEO Roger Niello:

Dear Taxpayer-

There’s a good reason why taxpayers support Measure N. Investing in upgrading our schools today means a large cost savings tomorrow.

We also know where all the money will go – directly to help our kids and schools right here in the San Juan Unified School District.

By law, Measure N money can only be spent on critical projects like modernizing our local schools, replacing leaky old portables, adding and upgrading science labs, and for improving technology throughout the district. Measure N prohibits any funds from being used for administrators’ salaries or pensions and no expensive capital appreciation bonds will be issued.

And there’s a little “insurance policy” written into Measure N called “The Citizens Oversight Committee” with people on it we can trust; retirees, taxpayers and business people who live here in the San Juan School District.

Quality schools help create a safer community, where children are encouraged to stay in school. We believe Measure N is a great investment in our kids and our community.

 

Please join us in voting YES on Measure N.

Bipartisan Support of Measure N

Republicans of River City

Democratic Party of Sacramento County

San Juan Teachers Association

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC

Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce PAC

Supervisor Susan Peters

SMUD Director Bill Slaton

California League of Bond Oversight Committees President Mike Day

Former California State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell

Taxpayers League of Sac County Former Executive Director Carl Burton

 

Courtesy of San Juan Schools First / Yes on Measure N

Sacramento Bee Endorses Measure N

"San Juan schools have been a good steward of past bond funds...It has won deserved praise across the political spectrum. Measure N has drawn support from taxpayer and chamber of commerce groups to the teachers union and labor groups."

"[San Juan Unified]...has aging schools...El Camino High School is 62 years old. Many of the district's 65 schools were built during the Roosevelt era."

"Measure N's estimated annual cost to property owners would be $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation."

"Now is a good time for borrowing. We are at historically low interest rates."

"Now is a good time for building. With the downturn in the construction market, SJU gets many, many more bids per project than in pre-recession 2007, providing good deals for taxpayers."

"The District will use traditional general obligation bonds." NOT a capital appreciation bond structure!

Read entire article, and Vote YES on MEASURE N


FIND OUT MORE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

· Facebook

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Measure N to build ecARTS PAC

I am Kevin Glaser, President of ecARTS, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to building a state-of-the-art performing arts center and gallery on the campus of El Camino High School that will serve the entire San JuanUnified School District and Sacramento community.

 

The SJUSD Board of Education unanimously approved Measure N for this November's ballot asking voters to authorize $350 million in bonds to support modernization and repair of schools that are now more than 50 years old.

 

WHY ecARTS CARE ABOUT THIS BOND MEASURE:

In addition to modernization and repair, Measure N will provide the necessary funding to build a performing arts center on the campus of El Camino High School that will serve the entire San Juan UnifiedSchool District and the greater Sacramento area. The performing arts center perfectly aligns with Measure N’s guidelines to meet the academic, technological, creative, and career needs of today’s K-12 students. 

 

Thanks to Measure N, future generations of students, staff, administrators, and community groups will have the opportunity to hold public forums, graduations, music and drama performances, lectures, and art exhibitions in a modern facility with state of the art lighting, sound, comfortable seating, and a pleasing environment. A far cry from the gyms, cafeterias and libraries upon which we currently rely.  

SUPPORT SAN JUANSCHOOLS AND MEASURE N  

ATTENTION former, current, and future EC Arts parents and students!

·         Please volunteer just 2 hours of your time to work a phone bank or neighborhood walk.

·         To sign up, got to: http://www.yesonmeasuren.org/get-involved/

·         High school students – receive credit! If you volunteer, you may receive credit with the approval of your political science instructors.  

FIND OUT MORE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

·  Facebook

·  Twitter

ENDORSE MEASURE N

·  Email: alyson.willey@yesonmeasuren.org to confirm that your name may be used publicly to endorse Measure N.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY VOTING YES ON MEASURE N ON NOVEMBER 6^TH

·  Encourage your friends and family to vote yes as well.

·  You may request a lawn sign at: alyson.willey@yesonmeasuren.org to show your support of Measure N and local schools.

MEASURE N SPECIFICS (Ö indicates where the performing arts center fits into Measure N's criteria):

ü  Modernization of classrooms with current learning technology to support teaching and improve learning.

ü  Installation of other technology infrastructure to support classroom tools.

ü  New, energy efficient, classrooms.

ü  Repair and renovation of bathrooms at campuses to continue providing healthy and safe facilities.

ü  Installation of energy efficient equipment at schools to save on utility bills.

ü  Renovation and construction of physical education and career tech facilities that provide needed job skills for students and our economy.

·         Repair and replacement of deteriorated roofs for improved energy efficiency and longevity.

·         Repair and replacement of deteriorating underground sewer and water lines.

·         Improvements to ensure campus security during and after the school day.

·         Repair and upgrades for safety alarms at schools to protect learning materials and the community's investment.

ecARTS Spearheads El Camino Alumni Association

In 2014, El Camino High School will celebrate the 60^th anniversary of its first graduation! As a gift to the school, ecARTS spearheaded the creation of the El Camino Alumni Association to allow alumni and retired staff members to maintain a connection to their past while simultaneously staying abreast of the ECHS of the future. The ECAA is a ground-breaking development for a school with a long history of talented, community-oriented alumni and staff.

Since its first class graduted in 1954, El Camino High School has never had an organized alumni association. This summer ecARTS, with help from Athletic Boosters, PTSA, students, faculty, and alumni, brainstormed ideas for the creation of a formal El Camino Alumni Association. The current Strategic Plan of the San Juan Unified School District mandates stronger alumni ties to its schools. The school district not only supports our alumni association idea, but may use it as a model for other schools in the district.

A soon-to-be-unveiled website will be the portal to an interactive forum that allows members to stay informed of current activities around the campus as well connecting graduates with reunion committees. An event calendar, school merchandise, and access to ticketed events will also be available. Additionally, the current administration at ECHS recognizes the benefit of the unique contributions of El Camino’s alumni as valued partners in support of learning and hopes to invite community professionals to share their experiences and talents with students.

Watch for our fall launch announcement! The El Camino Alumni Association hopes to usher in a new age of communication between campus and community.

Happy Anniversary, El Camino High School. From ecARTS.

Status update

Our last blog post was May of 2011, but rest assured we have not been idle. In fact, quite the contrary! We hired a fund raising consultant to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of a performing arts center on the campus of El Camino High School. First, we have a new website which fully outlines our vision.

Feasibility study results
The consultant conducted private interviews with alumni, business leaders, and community members selected based on their potential ability to donate $100,000 or more to the campaign. The findings of the study indicate that the need is real and the community is intrigued, but the facility must serve the entire San Juan Unified School District—one of ecARTS’ original stipulations. So we’re definitely on the right track.

Lack of performance space
As a follow-up to the feasibility study, we created an exhaustive list of available performance venues within a 10 mile radius of El Camino High School. The results point to a lack of affordable theater space with 500-600 seats for San Juan Unified students.

Arts programs surveys
Additionally, we surveyed the leaders of SJUSD arts programs and community-based arts programs. The overwhelming findings of these surveys indicate that groups are more than ready for a state-of-the-art theater with a professional stage, sound system, dressing rooms, reception area, and enough seats to accommodate audience members.

Where do we go from here?
Divide and conquer is our new mantra.

1.       Based on survey responses, the Design Committee has created a list of features to be included in the performing arts center with relative square footage requirements. Area architects are providing valuable input and cost estimates.

2.       The Communications Committee is working with the Boosters and PTSA at El Camino High School to develop a comprehensive database of alumni and friends.

Tell your friends, SJUSD alumni, and community businesses about ecARTS’ plan to become a hub for the arts in the Arden-Arcade area.