League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Stanislaus County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Measure U Student Safety, Vocational Education, Classroom Repair Ceres Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 9,625 / 72.60% Yes votes ...... 3,633 / 27.40% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure U

Arguments Against Measure U

The State is facing a multi-Billion Dollar budget deficity - budget cuts threaten the quality of Ceres schools. In tough economic times, our schools need funding that is legally required to stay in Ceres - vote YES on U! Not every student attends college. YES ON U creates more vocational education classes in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and technology jobs, teaching kids job skills necessary for well-paying jobs in today's tough economy. YES on U improves the quality of education at every Ceres public school to upgrade career/vocational education classrooms, science labs, computer learning classrooms, libraries, additional classrooms, and restrooms. YES on U instills discipline and focus needed for students to learn at an early age, keeping kids focused and out of gangs. YES on U increases after-school space for tutoring, mentoring, and recreational programs, providing youth with safe places to go after-school and activities to keep kids off the streets, out of trouble and away from gangs and drugs. By repairing and upgrading computer technology, science labs, school security systems, bathrooms, and school drop-off zones, YES on U improves Ceres schools and classrooms so that we continue to retain and attract excellent teachers. YES ON U qualifies Ceres schools for millions in state matching funds that would otherwise go elsewhere. YES on U funds more than $100 Million in Ceres construction projects, creating hundreds of good-paying jobs, and stimulating the Ceres economy at a time when our residents and businesses are struggling. By law, Measure U requires published financial audits and oversight by an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to ensure all funds are spent properly. NO money can be spent on administrators' salaries. ALL funds are tax-deductible. Join Ceres police officers, firefi ghters, teachers in voting Yes on U. Visit for information. /s/ Tim Sanders -Farmer /s/ Art DeWerk - Ceres Police Chief /s/ Phil de la Porte - Ceres Unified Teacher, Retired /s/ Brian Carlin - Local Business Owner /s/ Teresa Guerrero - Executive Director, Parent Institute for Quality Education

NO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE U WAS SUBMITTED

Tax Rate Statement

Dated July 31, 2008 An election will be held in the Ceres Unifi ed School District on November 4, 2008, on the question of issuing bonds in the principal amount of $60,000,000 to improve student safety and the quality of education at every school by repairing, updating, constructing, furnishing and equipping school facilities, including technology, job training, science and health facilities, roofs, electrical, plumbing and heating systems, and become eligible for millions in state matching funds as described in the measure. If the bonds are authorized and sold, debt service thereon will be paid from taxes levied on taxable property in the District. The following information regarding tax rates is given to comply with Elections Code sections 9400-9404. If approved by voters, the District expects to issue its bonds in series over two or more years. Taxes for debt service payments would be levied in fiscal year 2008-09 and annually thereafter through 2049- 2050. Based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement: 1. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the fi rst series of bonds is 6¢ per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2008-09. 2. The best estimate of the tax rate that 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 is 6¢ per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2010-11. 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue is 6¢ per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in all years of the levy. Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property on the County's offi cial tax rolls, not on the property's market value. 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 estimated tax rate information is partly based on assumptions and projections, which are not binding on the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presented above, because of variations from the assumed 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. 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. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the District has caused this Tax Rate Statement to be executed by its authorized officer as of the date first written above. /s/ Walt Hanline, Superintendent, Ceres Unified School District

Full Text of Measure U

Upon the passage of Measure U, the Ceres Unified School District shall be authorized to issue bonds in the aggregate amount of $60,000,000, bearing interest at rates not exceeding the statutory limit, for the purpose of funding the following school facilities projects: Construction and Renovation Projects to Address Student Safety and Well Being, Vocational Training and Instructional Environment: Career Technical Education Facilities at Ceres High School Renovate, upgrade and repair the existing industrial arts buildings at Ceres High School to support the career technical instructional program at Ceres High School. Planning and designing necessary for such repair,improvement and renovation projects, including costs related to construction services, architectural design, engineering, site inspection and testing services and plan review fees. Associated onsite development and other improvements made necessary by such repair, improvement and renovation projects. Acquisition and installation of furnishings and equipment related to the career technical instructional program at Ceres High School. New Junior High School Acquisition and construction of a new junior high school and related facilities, designed to house approximately 700 to 800 students, including: Acquisition of site and right-of-way easements made necessary by construction of such facilities. Construction of classrooms, school support/counseling offices, cafeteria, multipurpose instructional/assembly facility, gymnasium and athletic facilities, school grounds, library, computer labs and restrooms. Associated onsite and offsite development and other improvements made necessary by construction of such facilities. Planning, designing, and constructing the school and related facilities, including costs related to construction services, architectural design, engineering, site inspection and testing services and plan review fees. Acquisition and installation of furnishings and equipment related to the newly constructed facilities. Renovation, repair, and improvement projects at Caswell Elementary School, Don Pedro Elementary School, Carroll Fowler Elementary School, Virginia Parks Elementary School, Sam Vaughn Elementary School, Westport Elementary School, Walter White Elementary School, Mae Hensley Junior High School, Ceres High School and Argus Continuation High School. New classrooms and instructional facilities at Robert Adkison Elementary School, Berryhill School, Caswell Elementary School, Don Pedro Elementary School, Carroll Fowler Elementary School, Joel Hidahl Elementary School, La Rosa Elementary School, Virginia Parks Elementary School, Sinclear Elementary School, Sam Vaughn Elementary School, Westport Elementary School, Walter White Elementary School, Mae Hensley Junior High School, Central Valley High School, Ceres High School and Argus Continuation High School. Replace aging portable classroom buildings, and furnish and equip such buildings. Construct new classrooms and instructional facilities at existing sites, and furnish and equip such buildings. Install security improvements, including exterior lighting, fencing, alarm systems, windows, cameras, public address systems and fire alarms. Repair, renovate or improve site restroom facilities. Renovate, upgrade and repair existing classroom and instructional facilities. Improve, re-configure, expand or construct walkways,parking/student drop-off areas, and campus ingress and egress. Repair, upgrade or reconfi gure site grounds and facilities to accommodate the above projects. Construct access improvements for disabled persons, asrequired by state and federal law. Install energy efficiency upgrades, including more efficient lighting, heating and cooling units, windows and other improvements designed to improve energy efficiency. Associated onsite development and other improvements made necessary by such repair, improvement and renovation projects. Planning and designing necessary for such repair,improvement and renovation projects, including costs related to construction services, architectural design, engineering, site inspection and testing services and plan review fees. Acquisition and installation of furnishings and equipment related to the above projects. The intent of these bonds is to be used for the District's share, including any necessary costs above those that would be matched by the State of California, of eligible projects under the State of California's State Facility Program or successor program or to provide facilities to a Charter School making a Proposition 39 request for facilities. The District Board of Trustees certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing this list. The bond proceeds will be used only for the purposes specifi ed in Article XIIIA, section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution, and not for any other purposes, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. More specifically, the bond proceeds will only be expended to replace, renovate, construct, and equip any of the above-stated facilities of the District. The projects that have been described include all related and incidental costs, including design, engineering, architecture, construction management, inspection fees, and other professional services, as well as utilities, site preparation, landscaping, and other incidental costs. The District may alter any of the specific projects that have been listed or their costs as required by conditions that arise during the course of design, construction, and/or renovation. Approval of the District's bond measure does not guarantee that the projects that are the subject of the measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the bond measure. The District's proposed projects may assume the receipt of state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. The District Board of Trustees will conduct an annual independent performance audit to ensure that the bond funds have been expended only on the specific projects authorized. The District Board of Trustees will also conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the above-stated school facilities projects. The District will deposit the proceeds of the bonds in a separate account. The District's chief business offi cial shall issue an annual report to the Board of Trustees, which shall contain the amount of funds collected and expended as well as the status of the above-stated school facilities projects. Additionally, the District Board of Trustees will appoint a citizens' oversight committee (the "Committee") having a minimum of seven (7) members and including at least one member active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District, one member active in a senior citizens' organization, one member active in a bona fi de taxpayers' organization, one member the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District, and one member both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization.