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San Joaquin County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
Measure W
School Bond
Tracy Joint Union High School District

Bond Authorization - 55% Approval Required

7,463 / 50.0% Yes votes ...... 7,456 / 50.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 6 2:34am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (69/69)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

Should 55% of the registered voters residing within the Tracy Joint Unified School District voting thereon authorize the governing board of the Tracy Joint Unified School District to cause the sale of bonds in an amount not to exceed one hundred three million ($103,000,000) dollars?

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 the tax rate statement, is $0.06 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

The tax rate estimates above are based upon the District's projections and estimates only, and are not binding on the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated due to variations in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at any given sale, market interest rates at the time of each bond sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds.

Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
This measure, if approved by fifty-five percent (55%) of the registered voters residing within the Tracy Joint Unified School District voting thereon, will authorize the governing board of Tracy Joint Unified School District to cause the sale of bonds in an amount not to exceed one hundred three million ($103,000,000) dollars.

At the discretion of the governing board, all or any part of the bonds could be sold; provided, however, that the interest rate shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. The proceeds of the bonds could be used to construct a new Tracy High School; add physical education facilities, a stadium, and an auditorium to existing West High; renovate essential classrooms/bathrooms/core facilities for career-technical education and community uses at existing Tracy High; and to qualify for state matching funds for these and other specified projects. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the district.

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 the tax rate statement, is $0.06 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2003/04. 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 the tax rate statement, is $0.06 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005/06. 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 the tax rate statement, is $0.06 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

The tax rate estimates above are based upon the District's projections and estimates only, and are not binding on the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated due to variations in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at any given sale, market interest rates at the time of each bond sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds.

The conduct of this bond election and the issuance of bonds will be in conformity with existing laws of the State of California and will not otherwise affect existing law. This analysis is submitted by the Office of the San Joaquin County Counsel pursuant to the requirements of Section 9500 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15122.5

Approval of Measure W does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Tracy Joint Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure W will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure W. 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.

  Official Information

Tracy Unified School District

News and Analysis

The Record

Suggest a link related to Measure W
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Arguments For Measure W
Your YES vote on Measure W will provide all Tracy high school students with up to date facilities designed to prepare them for the challenges of a 21st century workforce.

Most of Tracy High School is over 50 years old # the original building was built in 1917.

Vital electrical, plumbing and sewer systems have long ago exceeded their useful life expectancy.

Deteriorating building foundations do not meet modern earthquake standards. Old construction methods do not take advantage of modern energy saving technology.

Hazardous materials must be removed.

Maintaining these old buildings costs the Tracy Unified School District more than $1 million dollars per year! Experts estimate the cost of rebuilding the old Tracy High School actually exceeds the cost of building a new school.

We need a real solution # not more band-aids.

Your YES vote on Measure W will build a new Tracy High School and complete West High School so all students will have safe, modern educational facilities.

New fire and security systems will keep students safe.

New electrical systems will allow for modern computer labs.

New science labs will prepare children for tomorrow's challenges.

As soon as high school students are moved into the new Tracy High School, it is proposed to renovate the old Tracy High School campus as a career/technical education training center and a community facility. The entire community will benefit.

Good schools are an asset to a community. Property values increase. New employers bring jobs to communities with good schools. Many new construction jobs are created. We all win.

Measure W requires annual financial audits and a Citizens Oversight Committee made up of business leaders and taxpayers will carefully monitor all spending # your tax dollars will be spent wisely.

Vote YES on Measure W

Submitted by:

/s/ Dan Bilbrey

Mayor of Tracy
/s/ Tom Hawkins
President, TUSD Board of Education
/s/ Julie Escobedo
President, Tracy Educators Association
/s/ Harold K. Reich /s/ Gretchen G. Talley, Retired

(No arguments against Measure W were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent Tracy Unified School District
An election will be held in the Tracy Joint Unified School District (the "District") on November 5, 2002, to authorize the sale of up to $103,000,000 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 multiple 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 6 cents per $100 ($60 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 6 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.

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 6 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year the bonds are outstanding.

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 the 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.

Dated: August 5, 2002

/s/ James Franco

Superintendent
Tracy Unified School District

Full Text of Measure W
HIGH SCHOOLS IMPROVEMENT BOND OF 2002

This Proposition may be known and referred to as the "High Schools Improvement Bond of 2002" or as "Measure W". [designation to be assigned by County Registrar of Voters]

FINDINGS

The voters and taxpayers of Tracy Joint Unified School District seek to create comparable, safe and modern educational environments for all high school students by:

  • Relocating Tracy High School to a new site with safe and modern classrooms, adequate plumbing, electrical,heating and air conditioning, and updated fire technology and security systems.

  • Completing West High School to improve safety conditions and allow on-campus physical education and student performance activities.

  • Matching State modernization dollars to redevelop existing Tracy High School into a District career-technical education and community facility.

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Tracy Joint Unified School District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $103,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only 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, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the Tracy Joint Unified School District's voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Tracy Joint Unified School District, all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIII A, Section 1(b)(3) of the State Constitution, and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at Education Code Sections 15264 and following).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Trustees has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the Tracy Joint Unified School District at each campus and facility, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time.

The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees.

Annual Performance Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Trustees shall take actions necessary to establish an account in which proceeds of the sale of bonds will be deposited. As long as any proceeds of the bonds remain unexpended, the Assistant Superintendent for Business of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2003, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the Tracy Joint Unified School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed at a particular school site. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, inspection and similar planning costs, construction management (including in-house construction management as permitted by law), and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The actual cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore the Board of Trustees cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

Single Purpose. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100, and all the enumerated purposes shall constitute the specific single purpose of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purpose, pursuant to Government Code Section 53410.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, and that interest will be made payable at the time or times permitted by law. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature more than 40 years from the date borne by that bond.

EXHIBIT A

TRACY JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOND PROJECT LIST

· Acquire site and construct a replacement Tracy High School, including classrooms, science facilities, technology labs, gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, physical education facilities, outdoor landscaping/hardcourt/fields/ball courts and other facilities typically provided for students at a modern comprehensive high school

· Construct the following new facilities at West High School: Stadium (seating capacity for approximately 4,500 and related site development and improvements)

Tennis courts (approximately 10)

Traffic safety improvements and other related road/
driveway/ parking/ ingress-egress improvements for
student safety

Replace physical education lockers

· Remodel/renovate existing Tracy High School as a District career-technical education and community facility, including:

Renovate aging classrooms

Repair/replace old bathrooms

Update fire and security systems

Replace outdated electrical, gas, plumbing and other utility services, connections and lines

Address seismic and structural issues as necessary to ensure safety of students and community

· Construct one basic physical education swimming pool

at the new Tracy High School and one at West High
School

· Construct auditorium at new Tracy high School, with

approximately 400 fixed seats

· Construct instructional auditorium/theater at West High School, with flexible performing space and associated teaching space, etc.

· Renovate existing Peter B. Kyne Stadium to continue to serve as the Tracy High home stadium once the new Tracy High is constructed, as well as for continued community use. Renovations are designed to improve public safety, health and efficiency of operations, and will include improvements of bleachers, playing surfaces, restroom facilities, handicap access and renovations to showers, lockers and team rooms located on the existing Tracy High campus.

· Demolish and replace facilities which the Board of Trustees determines would be uneconomical to repair and rehabilitate

· Site development, including parking, roads/ driveways/ingress-egress, grading, and landscaping for educational re-use, and demolition of old or structurally unsound buildings

Other Necessary Improvements, Rehabilitation in Connection with Planned Renovation, Remodeling, and/or New Construction Projects Listed Above

· Remove hazardous materials, e.g., asbestos, lead, etc., where necessary

· Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (e.g., plumbing or gas line breaks, dryrot, seismic, soil contamination, structural, etc.)

· Other improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

· Furnishing and equipping, as needed
--for all classrooms and facilities
--to replace worn/broken/out of date furniture and equipment

· Necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property

· Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities.

· Rental or construction of temporary classrooms (including relocatables) as needed to house students displaced during construction


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Created: December 6, 2002 03:15 PST
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