League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Measure J School Bond West Contra Costa Unified School District 55% Approval Required
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Index of all Measures |
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Pass:
30,013 /
56.85% Yes votes ......
22,776 /
43.15% No votes
| Results as of Nov 23 10:05am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (111/111) |
| Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text | |||||
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To continue repairning all school facilities, improve classroom safety and technology, and relieve overcrowding shall the West Contra Costa Unified School District issue $400 million in bonds at legal interest rates, with annual audits and a citizens' oversight committee to monitor that funds are spent accordingly, and upon receipt of a waiver of the District's statutory debt limit from the State Board of Education, if required?
This ballot measure would authorize bonded indebtedness not to exceed four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000) with interest not to exceed the maximum legal rate. In exchange for money received from a holder of the bonds, the District will promise to pay to the holder interest for a certain period of time and to repay the loan on the expiration date. Bonds will have a maturity date (the date the District has to pay back the money it borrowed) not to exceed thirty years. The money raised would be used for continuing to repair all school facilities, improving classroom safety and technology, and relieving overcrowding. The specific projects are set forth in the Bond Project List attached to the Board of Education's resolution. The Board of Education evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List. The money raised would only be used for the listed projects. The ballot measure also calls for the establishment of an independent citizens' oversight committee to ensure that the money raised is expended only on the listed projects. In addition, the Board of Education will be required to conduct an annual independent performance audit to ensure that the funds are expended only on the listed projects, and to conduct an annual independent financial audit of the money raised until it has been spent on the listed projects. To pass, 55% of those voting on the measure must approve the measure. A "yes" vote is in favor of authorizing the bonded indebtedness. A "no" vote is against authorizing the bonded indebtedness.
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Official Information Partisan Information
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| Arguments For Measure J | Arguments Against Measure J | ||
| As the State continues to wrestle with budget cuts and political infighting, our schools and our students continue to suffer. That's why such a broad coalition of parents, teachers, principals, and business leaders have joined together in support of Measure J.
By law, Measure J funds can only be used in our community to repair, upgrade, and build school facilities. Measure J funds cannot be used for downtown administrator salaries or benefits. We believe Measure J is well balanced, and sorely needed - that's why we're asking for your support. Here are some specific items that Measure J will pay for in our community's schools:
Schools in every part of the district will benefit from Measure J, and Measure J will complete a program of repairs and upgrades which have been overwhelmingly supported by our community in the past. These upgrades have, and will continue to benefit our students, our neighborhoods, and our community. A Yes vote on Measure J will also secure an additional $40 million for our schools from the State of California. Without Measure J, these funds will be given to schools outside of our district - schools in Alameda County, San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition to requiring Measure J funds to be used only for local school facilities, an independent citizens oversight committee will make sure that the money from the bond is spent properly. Please join parents, teachers, and principals in support of our community's children, by supporting our community's schools. Vote Yes on Measure J.
s/David Cole
WCCUSD's Fiscal Services Office predicts a continuing "gradual decline in enrollment for the next 10 years." WCCUSD's expanded construction plans require high taxes for decades, ignoring needed flexibility for demographic changes. Bureaucratic inefficiency, poor facilities planning, and numerous change orders will continue to result in expensive cost overruns -- until voters say "NO." We need to invest in students -- not architects and consultants. This $400 million bond measure won't pay a dime for teachers, books, tutors, or supplies. Measure J doesn't guarantee fair, equitable or responsible spending. Vote NO on J! More information: http://www.westcountyforum.com s/Charlotte McIntire Treasurer, West County Property Owners Alliance, Richmond s/Donald L. Damon Former Councilmember and Mayor, El Cerrito s/Willie R. Cobb, Jr. Parent, Teacher, Richmond s/Greg Engargiola, PhD. Parent, Homeowner, El Cerrito s/Paul Freese, Parent, Homeowner, Hercules | West County voters have already approved five previous WCCUSD tax measures. But the District is asking for more money, before all the bonds from the last measure have even been issued. The original $500 Million facilities improvement plan has grown to over $1.3 billion. That means Measure J could be the first of more new bond measures. We were promised that all of our schools would be renovated with previous bonds. In reality, over 30% of the previous bond funds will be spent on just two schools:
We cannot afford the District's irresponsible, spendthrift schemes. The problems with this bond include:
Before we are asked to pass more school bonds, the District MUST present specific budgets for ALL proposed projects (not just a generic list of where they "might" spend the money) and 30-year enrollment projections for schools they want our money to build. We do not need more $100 Million and $50 Million schools. Please vote NO on J.
s/Charlotte McIntire - Treasurer, West County Property Owners' Alliance, Richmond
Certainly, there are those who believe that our schools can survive if we simply ignore the problem. They call those who support local school funding irresponsible. Fortunately, there are parents, teachers, principals, and business people willing to stand up and fight for our community's children by fighting for Measure J. s/Robert J. Campbell Retired State Assemblyman, Local Resident s/Josh Genser Parent, Local Attorney, Local Resident s/Erwin Reeves Vice President Local Bank, Local Resident s/ John Wade Local Firefighter, Local resident s/Susan McCloskey Local Business Owner, Local Resident |
| Tax Rate Statement from School District Superintendent |
| An election will be held in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (the "District") on November 8, 2005, to authorize the sale of up to $400,000,000 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 seven (7) 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 California Elections Code. 1. 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 first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 3.11 cents per $100 ($31.10 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-2007. 2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the 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 5.99 cents per $100 ($59.90 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-2014. 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 6.00 cents per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2020-2021 through fiscal year 2035-2036. The average tax rate is expected to be 5.55 cent per $100 ($55.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation over the life of the bonds.
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| Full Text of Measure J |
| BOND AUTHORIZATION
By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the West Contra Costa Unified School District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.
ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers of the West Contra Costa Unified School District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the West Contra Costa 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 section 15264 et seq. of the California Education Code) Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Education has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board of Education 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 Education shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (section 15278 et seq of the California Education Code), 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 Education. Annual Performance Audits. The Board of Education 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 Education shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent 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 Education 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 Superintendent shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2007, 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 West Contra Costa Unified School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the Bonds. Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The final 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 Education cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS No Administrator Salaries. 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. Single Purpose. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to section 15100 of the California Education Code, 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 section 53410 of the California Government Code. 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 30 years from the date borne by that bond. No series of bonds may be issued unless the District shall have received a waiver from the State Board of Education of the District's statutory debt limit, if required.
EXHIBIT A
Major Facilities Improvements
Special Education Facilities
Property
Sitework
SECTION II ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECTS
SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECTS
RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS The following projects will be completed as part of the reconstruction program of the district, as funds allow. The reconstruction program includes the following: Health and Life Safety Improvements Code upgrades for accessibility Seismic upgrades
Systems Upgrades
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Created: January 28, 2006 14:39 PST
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