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Orange County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
Measure H
School Facility Improvement Bond
Centralia School District

5,684 / 67.1% Yes votes ...... 2,783 / 32.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 12 4:00pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (39/39)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To improve the quality of education, shall the Centralia School district be authorized to finance classroom modernization; upgrade electrical systems to improve student access to technology; make health, safety, and security improvements; upgrade plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; repair and replace roofs ;and qualify for State funds up to $11,000,000, by issuing $17,500,000 in bonds, with maximum legal interest rates, with annual audits, a citizens' oversight committee and no money for teacher or administrators' salaries?

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
The California Constitution provides that school districts may issue general obligation bonds for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, with the approval of 55% of the voters of the district, voting at an election for that purpose. The California Constitution further provides that the bond measure must include a requirement that the bond proceeds will be used only for the permitted purposes and other requirements designed to ensure accountability.

The Centralia School District has proposed to the voters that general obligation bonds of the school district be issued in an amount up to $17,500,000 and that ad valorem taxes be levied upon taxable property in the district to repay the bonded indebtedness. The measure provides that proceeds from the sale of the bonds will generally be used to improve school facilities, including renovation and modernization of school buildings and facilities, repairing and replacing roofs, upgrading fire safety, security, communications, electrical, air and plumbing systems, improving classroom lighting, removal of hazardous materials and upgrading classroom technology.

The measure provides that a citizens' oversight committee will be established and the Board of Trustees will conduct annual independent audits to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended. The measure further provides that bond proceeds will not be used for teacher and administrator salaries and will be used for school improvements and no other purpose.

The Board of Trustees of the Centralia School District has called the election for the purpose of submitting the measure to the voters within the school district. If 55% of the voters of the district voting on the measure vote yes, the school district may proceed to sell the bonds and levy the related taxes as estimated in the Tax Rate Statement. A no vote on this measure will disapprove the issuance of the bonds and the levy of the taxes for such bonded indebtedness.

Approval of Measure H does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Centralia School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure H will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure H. The school district's proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

 
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Arguments For Measure H Arguments Against Measure H
Your YES vote on Measure H will have a lasting, positive impact on our schools and community. Passing Measure H will improve our aging school facilities and maintain high health, safety, and security standards for our students.

Passage of Measure H will provide funding to meet the most critical facility needs at the District's nine schools.

MEASURE H MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE BY:

  • Entitling the District to receive over $11,000,000 in matching funds from the State;
  • Improving property values within our community;
  • Making repairs now instead of later when they will only cost more.

While our schools have served us well for many years, most are now outdated and need major upgrades. The average age of our schools is over 40 years, and all schools are old enough to meet the State's age requirements for matching modernization funds. Measure H will provide our children updated, efficient classrooms and a safe learning environment.

MEASURE H WILL IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS BY:

  • Making health and safety improvements including upgrading fire alarm, communication, and security systems and improving handicapped access for the disabled;
  • Repairing and replacing deteriorating roofing and upgrading heating and ventilation systems;
  • Upgrading electrical systems to improve student access to computers and modern technology;
  • Replacing inadequate plumbing systems and renovating restrooms.

Measure H will maintain our schools as a focal point of our community, allow for the continued quality education of our children, and add to the value of our community and homes.

BY LAW, TAXPAYER SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE INCLUDING:

  • A citizens' oversight committee to protect taxpayer funds;
  • Annual independent audits on all expenditures;
  • Guarantees that funds be used only to improve schools - not to pay teacher/administrative salaries.

Invest in our community's future. VOTE YES ON MEASURE H!

No argument against this measure was submitted.

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent
An election will be held in the Centralia School District (the "District") on November 5, 2002, to authorize the sale of up to $17,500,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in three series. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 2.4 cents per $100 ($24 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2003-04.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 2.4 cents per $100 ($24 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 2.4 cents per $100 ($24 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.


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Created: December 6, 2002 03:14 PST
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