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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Kern County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Measure I
Bond
Lakeside Union School District

55% Approval Required

Pass: 2179 / 76.86% Yes votes ...... 656 / 23.14% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Jan 24 10:33am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (11/11)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To improve the local quality of education, student learning and safety in neighborhood schools, shall Lakeside Union School District upgrade classroom computers, technology, science space, and equipment, improve school safety/security, repair/replace deteriorated roofs, plumbing, lighting, electrical and building systems, and replace the existing special tax by issuing $22,500,000 in bonds at legal rates, qualifying for State matching funds, with mandatory audits, independent citizens' oversight, no administrator salaries, and all funds benefiting Lakeside and Suburu School communities?

Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
A "Yes" vote by at least fifty five percent (55%) of the voters voting on this measure will authorize the issuance and sale of bonds for the benefit of the Lakeside Union School District ("District") in an amount up to twenty two million five hundred thousand dollars ($22,500,000).

Proceeds from the sale of these school bonds may only be used 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. As required by law, the District has listed the specific projects to be funded, in whole or in part, by the bonds. The list of projects is printed in the sample ballot. Approval of the bond measure does not guarantee that the listed projects will be fully funded.

The District will conduct an annual independent performance audit, in order to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the specific projects listed, and an annual independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those funds have been expended. In addition, the District's Board of Trustees will appoint an independent citizens' oversight committee to inform the public concerning the expenditure of bond revenues.

The bond debt will be a general obligation of the District and will be financed by property taxes levied annually on taxable property located within the District, based on the property's value, in an amount necessary to pay the annual debt obligation.

The interest rate will be established at the time of the sale of the bonds and will depend on prevailing market rates. As a matter of law, that rate cannot exceed twelve percent (12%) per annum and shall mature and be paid no later than forty (40) years following their date of issuance. In the District's Tax Rate Statement, it has provided its best estimate of the tax rates which will be applied to pay the debt at various intervals during the life of the bonds.

This wording applies to Measure I:

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

This wording applies to Measure I:

This is an impartial analysis of Measure I. If you want a copy of the District's resolution ordering the election to vote on Measure I, please call Kern County Elections at (661) 868-3590 or 1-800-452-8683 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

 
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Arguments For Measure I
Our community has a tradition of supporting quality education. The success of our local schools is due, in large part, to our exceptional teachers, quality education programs and the support our schools receive from parents and the community.

But Lakeside and Suburu school facilities need attention. They are aging (Lakeside School is nearly 70 years old) and need significant upgrades to provide a safe and modern learning environment for children.

Measure I authorizes two critically important things.

First, Measure I authorizes essential school facility upgrades at Lakeside and Suburu Schools.

Measure I will:

Upgrade school technology, equipment, multi-media capabilities and access to the Internet

Improve science instructional space and equipment to enhance middle school science education

Repair/replace deteriorated roofs, building foundations, walls, floors, plumbing, lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and electrical systems Modernize outdated classrooms, libraries and school buildings

Provide safety upgrades-lighting, fencing, smoke detectors, alarms, sprinklers, pick-up and drop-off zones, playground equipment and security systems

Second, Measure I authorizes REPLACING existing taxes and fees that homeowners are currently paying. This will release school district General Fund monies for essential classroom needs, including attracting and retaining quality teachers. Teacher compensation currently comprises 60% of the school district's budget.

Approximately 79% of district homeowners will experience an overall DECREASE in property taxes if Measure I passes.

ALL Measure I funds must stay in our community to benefit local schools.

Taxpayer protections are REQUIRED. NO funds can be used for administrators' salaries. An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee and mandatory audits will ensure that Measure I money is spent properly.

Parents, teachers, civic leaders and citizens throughout our Lakeside community support Measure I.

Take a positive step to improve the local quality of education AND protect property values.

Please VOTE YES on Measure I.

s/Margo Ogden, 3rd Grade Teacher - Suburu School
s/Andrea Dewar, Parent, School Volunteer
s/Dana Tjaarda, Local Business Owner
s/Frank Fugitt, Farmer, 73-year Resident
s/Jerry Caneta, Parent, High School Educator

(No arguments against Measure I were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement
An election will be held in the Lakeside Union School District (the "District") on November 4, 2008, to authorize the sale of up to $22,500,000 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 several 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 $27.92 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2009-10.

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 $27.91 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2019-20.

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 $28.10 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2041-42.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property on the official tax rolls of the respective counties, not on the property's market value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors 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 for 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.

Full Text of Measure I
DISCLAIMER: All documents are printed exactly as submitted to the Elections Office.


EXHIBIT A


BALLOT MEASURE I


LAKESIDE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

The District intends to use the proceeds of the Bonds to finance or refinance some or all of the below-listed projects, upon voter approval:

The general obligation bond proceeds of the Lakeside Union School District would be used to ensure there is sufficient safety, security and technology at District schools through the specified capital improvements described herein, which the District intends to acquire, replace, renovate, construct, furnish, equip and otherwise improve District facilities to meet educational needs, if authorized by the voters. Depending upon construction costs, the availability of State matching funds and other factors, the Projects listed below may be completed in an order different from that presented here, and there may not be sufficient bond proceeds to fund each and every Project shown. The prepayment of the lease obligations described below will permit the District to dissolve its existing Mello-Roos Community Facilities District and eliminate the related Special Tax.

Lakeside School

Add new educational technology, equipment and multimedia capability in classrooms and the school library to enhance student instruction

Provide safety upgrades including security lighting, fencing, smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and security systems

Reconfigure/improve science instructional and lab space, and add equipment to enhance middle school science education instruction

Repair/upgrade deteriorated roofs, plumbing/restrooms lighting, electrical and building systems

Repair/upgrade/improve 67-year old school building foundations and exteriors

Remodel/modernize aging school library

Install/replace walls, doors, windows, roofs and floors for increased student safety

Modernize 67-year old school multi-purpose auditorium for enhanced large group instruction, assembly capability and school use

Repair/replace deteriorating student lockers for increased student security

Replace outdated children's playground equipment for improved safety

Upgrade/improve the school's physical education infrastructure

Suburu School

Add new educational technology, equipment and multimedia capability in classrooms and the school library to enhance student instruction

Reconfigure/expand school parking lot and pick-up/drop-off zones for improved safety

Provide safety upgrades including security lighting, fencing, smoke detectors, and security systems

Install covered walkways for improved safety, security and protection during unfavorable weather

Improve or upgrade playground equipment

Upgrade/improve the school's physical education infrastructure

District-wide:

Upgrade electrical capacity, technology infrastructure, and communications systems

Repair/replace deteriorated plumbing/restrooms, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to increase energy-efficiency and reduce operating costs

Pay/pre-pay/retire certain lease obligations of the District

Phase-one planning/development costs for new schools to accommodate projected growth

AT SITES WHERE RENOVATION, MAJOR REPAIRS AND/OR NEW CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERTAKEN

Remove hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, mold, mildew, etc.) where necessary

Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (e.g. plumbing, or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic structural, etc.)

Improve schools as required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Provide adequate furniture and equipment for all classrooms, and spaces to be newly constructed or reconstructed, including classroom technology, computer and science equipment, and book storage, and replacement of worn/broken/out-of-date furniture and equipment

Demolition of existing buildings to be replaced with up-to-date facilities

Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, or execution of purchase options under a lease for any of these authorized facilities

Necessary site acquisition and preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, 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 property

Replacement construction if Board of Trustees determines that replacement is more economical than rehabilitation/renovation of existing classrooms

Provide temporary (interim) classrooms and other school facilities as needed to accommodate students and school functions displaced during construction


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Created: January 24, 2009 10:33 PST
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