HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-018
.~
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-18
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN BERNARDINO IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 26 - THE LET'S FIX OUR
SCHOOLS INITIATIVE.
Whereas, more than two million California students attend class in temporary facilities,
and the state must build six new classrooms every day ifit is going to accommodate the quickly
growing student population; and
Whereas, without significant new construction and modernization, existing schools will
not be ready to handle the several hundred thousand additional students over the next decade;
and
Whereas, the LET'S FIX OUR SCHOOLS Initiative would amend the California
Constitution and Education Code to allow passage of critically-needed local school bonds with
a simple majority of 50 percent plus one, rather than the current two-thirds vote required, while
holding local school districts strictly accountable for prudent and responsible spending; and
Whereas, at a time when California families want safer schools, more class size
reduction, and better access to 2151 century learning tools such as computers and the Internet,
we need to ensure that local school districts have the funds to create classroom environments
that help students learn; and
Whereas, last year voters passed Proposition lA, a $9.2 billion statewide bond to
provide state matching funds for local school facilities construction and improvements; and
Whereas, school districts can only receive Proposition IA state bond funds if they can
generate matching funds through local bonds; and
Whereas, most California voters believe bonds are the best way to build and repair
classrooms and reduce overcrowding in California's schools; and
Whereas, local school bonds require a two-thirds vote to pass, forcing many districts to
run numerous grueling campaigns.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF THE LET'S
FIX OUR SCHOOLS INITIATIVE ON THE MARCH, 2000 STATEWIDE BALLOT
BECAUSE IT IS A NECESSARY AND FAIR INITIATIVE.
III
III
2000-is
1 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
BERNARDINO IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 26 - THE LET'S FIX OUR
2 SCHOOLS INITIATIVE.
3
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor
joint
and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a regular meeting thereof, held on the
4
5
6 7~ day of February
7
8
, 2000, by the following vote, to wit:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Council Members: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
ESTRADA x
-
LIEN x
SCHNETZ x
SUAREZ --"--
ANDERSON x
MILLER x
G?~, /.J. C~
City lerk
The foregoing resolution is hereby approved this .7h~ day of February ,2000
f\
Approved as to
Form and legal content:
'---
JAMES F. PENMAN,
City torney
By:
2000-18
(I YEA~S
,0
~l,.
jl. jCalitornidftt1P\
Lrdq~U""
~ ,:.;,; 't-",q,.
o .'
"'-tINe TOu
LQaquQ of California (itiQS
Better Cities-A Better Life
1400 K Street
Sacramento, C:A Y5814
9]6.656.8200
FAX 916.6588240
ww"\v_cacitles.org
January 12, 2000
Dear City Official:
RE: Support for Proposition 26, "Let's Fix Our Schools"
As some of you may have read in our previous communications, at its November 1999 meeting, the Board of
Directors of the League of California Cities voted overwhelmingly to endorse Proposition 26. This initiative has
won our board's support because we believe that good schools are an essential element in building strong, thriving
cities.
Our purpose in writing today is to advise you of the League's position on Proposition 26, and to urge you
and your city council to join us in speaking out in support of this important initiative.
Background. Proposition 26 will appear on the March 2000 ballot. It would reduce the number of votes needed to
pass local school bonds from the current two-thirds to a simple majority, helping to generate funds to repair and
update aging schools and build badly needed new ones. Just as importantly, it includes rigorous accountability
measures to ensure that voters get what they pay for.
Proposition 26 requires school districts to undergo two independent audits every year to monitor expenditures from
local bonds. One independent audit will scrutinize the finances of each project-making sure that every penny is
spent on school facilities and not on operating expenses. A second performance audit must also be conducted
annually to make sure every voter-approved project is done on time and on budget.
This initiative has broad-based support. Business leaders who see our decrepit schools as an impediment to
economic growth are active leaders in the campaign.
Your Support is Needed. Polls show strong voter support for Proposition 26 -- but there is still a long way to go
until the March election. Support from intluential local leaders is critical to the success of this initiative. As
representatives of cities, our board believes we have a special need and responsibility to work in support of this
measure. The data is clear: our efforts to preserve and enhance the quality of life in cities are undermined when
public schools are neglected and decaying. Our work for strong cities must include support for repair and updating
of our schools.
We would appreciate your sponsorship of a resolution in support of Proposition 26 before your city council. Please
fax the enclosed resolution to (916) 554-1052 as soon as possible. You can find updated campaign and initiative
information at the Prop 26 website: www.letsfixourschools.com.
Proposition 26 gives our children-and our cities-the schools they need and deserve.
We look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
?r-~~
(!L. ~-V~
Christopher McKenzie
Executive Director
John Ferraro
President, League of California Cities