The Secret is Out - After connecting the dots, it appears Measure M is a Scheme to Funnel Free, Matching State Funds to Rancho Mission Viejo to Pay for Schools in that Community that the Rest of the CUSD Taxpayers Will Pay for Through the Measure M Tax to be Assessed on Properties for 35 Years.

 

·         The dollar amount of Measure M was dictated at the highest amount by the bond consultant CUSD hired.

 

·         The total dollar amount of Measure M, with interest, is $1.8 BILLION!

 

·         The Measure M tax is assessed against real property and personal property. This means secured and unsecured property such as homes, commercial property, mobile homes, boats, airplanes, improvements on real estate, and business property/fixtures like commercial ovens.

 

·         The Measure M tax will last for 35 years from the date the last bond is sold. (A current 7 year old first grader will be in his/her 50’s when Measure M is paid off, assuming CUSD doesn’t take any steps to extend the bond).

 

·         CUSD taxpayers are still paying off the Measure A bond that was passed in 1999.

 

·         Communities like Ladera & Talega will be tripled taxed if Measure M passes (ad valorem, Mello-Roos & "M").

 

·         CUSD wants to use Measure M to try to obtain up to $229 million in matching state funds that will be provided to CUSD free of charge.

 

·         Rancho Mission Viejo (“RMV”), the newest community in CUSD with the greatest need for schools (none have been built yet) was deliberately excluded from Measure M by CUSD. Senior communities like Costa del Sol (fixed incomes)  and Mello-Roos communities, ie. Ladera and Talega (already paying extra taxes via Mello-Roos) were not excluded.

 

·         Schools built with Ladera & Talega Mello-Roos are already heavily impacted by students from RMV.

 

·         Because RMV was excluded from Measure M, it does not have to pay any Measure M taxes if Measure M passes, but no Measure M funds can be used at or for RMV. However, RMV can receive and use any matching state funds CUSD obtains if Measure M is passed.

 

·         At a SC Times Coffee Chat hosted by CUSD Board President Amy Hanacek on October 21st, she stated that state matching funds obtained by CUSD (if Measure M passes) will be used at RMV though she said she cannot support building new schools when there is no money. She said the RMV Company is heavily backing Prop 51, the statewide school facilities bond ($9B state matching funds for school facilities), and CUSD's Measure M.

 

·         Under this, all of CUSD except RMW will pay Measure M taxes on their real property and personal property for 35 years if Measure M passes. RMV does not have to pay any Measure M taxes, yet it will get,  free of charge, matching state funds up to $229 million obtained by CUSD if Measure M passes.

 

·         Without Measure M there are no matching state funds for CUSD, and no matching state funds for RMV.

 

·         If a School Facilities Improvement District bond is ever formed in RMV, those taxpayer funds will only be able to be spent in the SFID, while the rest of CUSD taxpayer money is in a pot of funds to be shared district-wide.

 

·         Given the millions of free dollars RMV is in line to receive if Measure M passes, it is not surprising the rich and powerful landowner developing RMV is in favor of Measure M and Proposition 51.

 

·         CUSD does not need bond funds to access and spend State matching funds.  CUSD is using the lure of match to sell the Measure M to the community but can then use it on the schools in RMV (excluded from Measure M).

 

VOTE NO ON MEASURE M - There are over a Billion Reasons to do so.