Questions and Answers About Measure R
How are Ocean View School District schools doing? Since 1874, the Ocean View School District has been providing students in Huntington Beach and portions of Fountain Valley, Westminster, and Midway City with an excellent education. OVSD has multiple National Blue Ribbon and Distinguished Schools in the district. Three of our schools have received the prestigi
ous Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association and we are home to one NASA Explorer School. Good schools improve the quality of life in our community and protect the value of our homes. Why did the Board of Trustees vote to place it on the ballot? Most Ocean View School District schools were built more than 50 years ago and need to be upgraded. If passed, Measure R would make repairs and improvements so that our schools can serve our students and community well for the decades to come. Local schools also need updates to continue providing students with a 21st-century education — a solid background in science and math, and the skills they need to use today’s technologies and ensure their success in high school, college, and careers. The OVSD Board of Trustees placed Measure R on the November 2016 ballot to address these needs and improve local school facilities for the future. OVSD developed a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan that outlines major facility needs at each school site. This plan can be viewed online at www.ovsd-fmp.org. Projects that Measure R would complete include:
• Improving student safety and campus security systems, including security fencing, security cameras, emergency communications systems, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers
• Repairing or replacing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and
electrical systems
• Providing the equipment and educational technology needed to support high-quality instruction in science, reading, music, arts, and math
• Improving access to school facilities for students with disabilities
• Ensuring that children’s playground equipment and play areas meet current health and safety standards
How do we know Measure R funds would be used responsibly? Measure R includes strict fiscal accountability provisions to ensure funds would be spent wisely:
• All funds stay in Ocean View School District to support our local elementary students – Sacramento cannot take a single penny
• No Measure R money can be used for administrators’ salaries or benefits
• A Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual independent audits are required to ensure all funds are spent according to voter-approved priorities
How much would Measure R cost? Measure R will generate up to $169 million for school improvements. The cost of this measure would be limited to $30 per $100,000 or about $109 per year for the typical homeowner for as long as bonds are outstanding, in accordance with state law. This cost is based on assessed value (not market value). The entire cost is deductible on state and federal income taxes. Can the State adequately fund upgrades to our schools? The State is not currently funding school facility improvements. Until 2014, school districts could count on the State for approximately 40% of school improvement costs. However, today this burden has been passed on to local communities. This is why the Board of Trustees voted to place Measure R on the November 2016 ballot. Is there a comprehensive list of the projects by site that could be funded by Measure R? Yes. A detailed Facilities Master Plan and a full list of projects can be found online at www.ovsd-fmp.org. Would Measure R help our district qualify for state matching funds? If passed, Measure R would allow our school district to access these state dollars should they become available. Without passage of Measure R, state matching funds will go to other districts. Is there any other way to repair, update, and improve our schools? Like all public school districts, OVSD has very few options when it comes to funding the necessary renovations and upgrades to our local schools. Our schools can’t rely on the State to complete these repairs. Measure R would provide locally-controlled funds to complete prioritized projects and provide a safe and modern learning environment for our students. When will Measure R appear on the ballot? Measure R is on the November 8, 2016 ballot. To pass, Measure R must be supported by 55% of those who vote. All registered voters in OVSD will be eligible to vote on the measure. How many votes does Measure R need to pass? In order to pass, Measure R must be supported by 55% of those who vote on it. How can I find out more information about voting or registering to vote? You can register to vote by visiting www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov or by calling the Orange County Registrar of Voters at (714) 567-7600. Visit www.OCVote.com for more information about voting. The deadline to register to vote in time to vote in this election is October 24.
