Some NUMBERS to Consider before endorsing Bond Measure A
Prepared by Jack Hickey      9/27/99
Visit Jack Hickey's website at http://users.cwnet.com/jackhick  

Statistics are for all three colleges (Skyline, College of San Mateo and Canada) in the SMCCCD
They are derived from District student census figures, and Assessor/Controller information
13,962 = Total number of Full time equivalent students (FTES)
$4,162.00 = Amount of Property Tax received by the District per FTES/year
$264.00 = Tuition paid by Full time equivalent students (FTES)/year
Shouldn't the Legislature be informed that their reduction in tuition last year, from $12/unit to $11/unit was a BIG mistake?

How has the District's revenue from Property Taxes performed?
22% = increase in consumer price index in the past seven years
70% = increase in SMCCD share of Property Taxes in the past seven years
$435.00 = Property Tax paid to SMCCCD by each new, median price, homeowner.
With enrollment flat over this period, why was maintenance deferred?

How much will it cost taxpayers?
<$7/$100,000 of assessed valuation (tax rate estimated by proponents, in Ballot Argument, to service bond)
$10.75/$100,000 of assessed valuation (tax rate estimated by Godbe Research & Analysis to service bond)
        Note: Godbe Research & Analysis reported this in an October 1998 Survey of Voters, under $25,000 contract with SMCCCD
        Actual report was $8/$100,000 for a $110,000,000 Bond.  $148,000,000 Bond would require $10.75/$100,000.

Economics
2% = the rate of unemployment in San Mateo County
Wouldn't it make sense to defer non-urgent projects, such as asbesto removal and earthquake retrofits? ($22,000,000.00)

Matching Funds
50% = matching funds I would seek from high tech businesses for high tech facilitity construction

Other District Resources
184 = the number of prime acres owned by the District, South of Half Moon Bay
The possibility of a golf course was pursued on this site.   Given the severe shortage of golf courses in the County,
this could produce$1,000,000.00+ in revenue to the District from a land lease.
50% = a conservative estimate of the underutilization of resources at Canada College
Divestiture of some excess land was considered, with some thoughts of soliciting a research type facility compatible with the college environment.   Problems with the Woodside townspeople need to be worked to make this happen.   The reduced commutes of skilled local residents employed at such a facility would be a major plus for this choice.

Questionable expenditures by the District
$250,000.00 = the amount spent for a PR campaign, apparently targeted to voters
In late 1998, a windfall of ~$750,000.00 was bestowed upon the District as a result of CalPers investment successes. 
The Board allocated $250,000.00 for a PR campaign. Following a $25,000.00 Voter Survey in October 1998,
the Board contracted with Bay Relations to implement the PR Campaign in February 1999. 
A Public Records Act request to obtain mailing list used in that PR, expected to reveal that it was targeted to voters, was denied.
40,000 = # of voter registration forms obtained from the Secretary of State for mailing by Associated Students of CSM and Skyline
562 = the number of new San Mateo County voters registered from this effort.
Note: the Motor Voter Act of 1993, amended by HR 6 last year requires registration efforts by schools receiving Federal funds.
The intent was to implement a cost-effective effort by including registration forms WITH enrollment papers.

Questionable activities of Board Members
$40,000 = the amount contributed by the SMCCCD Foundation to the Citizens for Higher Education.
Board Members Constantino, Schwarz, Miljanich and Hausman spoke in support of a letter from Chancellor Johnson,
read by CSM President Landsberger. in which he asked for the Foundation's support in mounting the bond campaign.

Vote for Jack Hickey and Margret Schmidt on Nov. 2
Vote NO on Measure A!