Building Education for Students Together (BEST)/Yes on Measure A
Frequently Asked Questions

The Mountain View Los Altos High School District consists of two comprehensive high schools and three alternative programs that serve Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. According to Newsweek, Mountain View and Los Altos High Schools rank in the top 3% of more than 21,000 high schools nationwide.

Q: What is Measure A?
A: Measure A is a bond measure proposed by the Mountain View Los Altos High School District to help alleviate expected overcrowding and improve education in our local high schools.
Q: Why does the Mountain View Los Altos High School District need a bond measure?
A: In the next ten years, enrollment at Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools will grow by at least 25%. We can anticipate the arrival of these 900 students based on our area’s current elementary school enrollment. Measure A will help alleviate the expected overcrowding and improve education for our growing student enrollment. Passing this bond in advance of the arrival of these new students will provide the district with ample planning for a smart, fiscally-conservative solution to combat the predicted overcrowding.
Q: Without taking action, when will Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools become overcrowded?
A: According to a study of student demographics, district enrollment will grow by at least 25% in the next ten years. That report was largely based on the current enrollment of elementary schools that feed into the two high schools. Based on those estimates, if nothing is done, Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools would exceed their current capacity by 2012.
Q: What projects will be funded by Measure A?
A: This measure will add science labs and classrooms to allow for growing enrollment and prevent classroom overcrowding. English, math, science and other academic programs will benefit through improved classroom technology and modern equipment. Measure A will also update existing classrooms to modern fire and earthquake safety standards. Additionally, it will allow the district to invest in building improvements that would save $400,000 per year.
Q: How do bonds work?
A: Bonds work similarly to a home mortgage. The money comes from investors up front, then the bond is paid off over the next 30-plus years. In this case, our district can pay off the bonds without increasing current tax rates, thanks to bonding capacity created by the strong property values in our area. The funds raised by Measure A will be used to alleviate expected overcrowding and improve education for future district students.
Q: Will Measure A raise my taxes?
A: No. Measure A will not raise tax rates above current levels.
Q: How does Measure A not increase the current tax rate but still raise money? What’s the catch? Doesn’t more money for the schools mean more taxes for me?
A: Measure A simply extends the bond passed by local voters in 1995 for an additional six years. Instead of expiring in 2024, it will now expire in 2030 at the same tax rate - $14.70 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value. The funds generated from these additional six years will alleviate expected overcrowding and improve education in our local high schools.
Q: What is the current tax rate?
A: The current local school bond tax rate is $14.70 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value. Measure A does not change this rate.
Q: Can’t we wait to pass Measure A until there are better economic conditions?
A: No, we know from current elementary school enrollment that Mountain View and Los Altos High Schools will be overcrowded by 2012. If we don’t act now, both schools will be overcrowded, creating a more expensive problem to solve in the future.
Q: What happened to the money from the 1995 bond?
A: The district was able to complete the projects from the 1995 bond both on-time and under-budget. However, our community and local school enrollment have grown in the last 15 years to the point where another bond is needed to plan for the students we know are coming in the next few years.
Q: How do you know you will have enough money to complete these projects and you won’t come back asking for more?
A: Measure A will create an independent oversight committee to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted. The projects from the 1995 bond were completed on-time and under-budget with the assistance of such a committee, which was comprised of local residents with expertise in construction and related fields. The District will establish another Construction Oversight Committee for the Measure A projects.
Q: How will Measure A save the district money?
A: Measure A will fund energy-efficient building improvements in our schools, reducing energy costs by approximately 75%, about $400,000 annually.
Q: Aren’t schools funded by the state? What happened to lottery money for schools?
A: The Mountain View Los Altos High School District cannot rely on the state for the funding it needs to meet local demand for quality high school education, new science labs and classrooms and facility repairs and upgrades. However, Measure A will make the district eligible for millions of dollars in state matching funds and federal stimulus programs.

Lottery funds are legally restricted from being used on school construction or facilities upgrades. The lottery provides less than 2% of the annual budget for our local schools.
Q: Could the state use some of the money raised by Measure A?
A: No. All funds from a bond would remain in our local high schools. The money could not be used by the state or to pay District administrative costs.
Q: When is the election for Measure A?
A: Measure A is on the Primary Election ballot, Election Day is June 8, 2010. Vote by mail ballots will be mailed by the County starting May 10 and can be returned until 8pm on Election Day (must be received by the County, not postmarked). Early voting is also available at the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office (1555 Berger Dr., Building 2, San Jose) during normal business hours beginning May 10.
Q: Who can vote on Measure A?
A: All registered voters within the Mountain View Los Altos High School District can vote for Measure A, regardless of party. Mountain View Los Altos High School District includes portions of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Q: What does it take to pass Measure A?
A: Measure A must receive Yes votes from at least 55% of those voting in the election to pass.
Q: Where can I get more information on Measure A?
A: Contact the campaign at (877) 369-6689 or email us at info@bestformvla.org with any questions or comments you may have.