Nikita Kostyuk Announces Opposition to Measure M

Today, candidate for school board Nikita Kostyuk announced his opposition to Elk Grove Unified’s $476 million school bond known as Measure M. “We all support keeping our schools in good physical condition and up to date, but Measure M isn’t the right way to go.”

The candidate pointed out several structural flaws in the measure. “24 schools constructed in the last 15 years made the list to receive money from Measure M,” said Nikita. “Why aren’t we prioritizing aging schools that need this money the most?”

Last week, opponents of Measure M submitted an official ballot argument with the Voter Registrar. JD Christiansen, a civil engineer from Rancho Cordova, was one of them. He said that the potential tax increase played a significant role in his opposition to the measure. “When I looked up the taxes, levies and Mello-Roos on my current tax bill, I realized that Measure M would more than double the school taxes in my area,” JD explained. “It’s a bit too much.”

Barbara Sloan, an Elk Grove resident and homeowner, concurred: “This election, we’re going to have at least three tax increases on our ballot: one statewide, one county wide, and one locally. When will we finally pay enough?”

Carl Brickey, another Elk Grove resident, said the structure of the bonds in the measure were the main reason for his opposition. “We will be paying this thing off for the next 35 years! Thirty-five years! Our children’s children will be paying off this money. This is not a fiscally prudent way to pay for facility maintenance.”

Other opponents of the measure included Val Bedrik, a local business owner, Scott Young, a local teacher, and Katy Grimes, President of the Sacramento County Taxpayers Association.

Measure M requires a 55% threshold to pass and will be voted on in the general election on November 8th.