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Contra Costa County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Measure L
Bonds
Pittsburg Unified School District

55% Approval Required

Pass: 7391 / 68.52% Yes votes ...... 3396 / 31.48% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 30 11:25am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (34/34)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To provide safe, modern neighborhood schools with updated computer technology, upgrade energy systems, including solar, reduce cost, improve student learning by acquiring, upgrading, constructing, equipping classrooms, science and computer labs, and school facilities, replace aging roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation/ electrical systems, improve fire alarms, school security and earthquake safety, shall Pittsburg Unified School District issue $100,000,000 of bonds, within legal rates and state approved bonding capacity limits with independent oversight, no administrators' salaries, keeping funds local?

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
The California Constitution provides that school districts may issue 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 voting at an election for that purpose.

By resolution, the Pittsburg Unified School District has proposed that bonds of the District be issued in an amount up to $100,000,000. This measure provides that proceeds from the sale of the bonds will generally be used to "provide safe, modern schools with updated computer technology, upgrade energy systems, including solar, reduce cost, improve student learning by acquiring, upgrading, constructing, [and] equipping classrooms, science and computer labs, and school facilities, replace aging roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation/electrical systems, improve fire alarms, school security and earthquake safety." The specific projects are set forth in the bond project list attached to the resolution of the Board of Trustees. The measure provides that a citizens' oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended and that annual performance and financial audits will be conducted. The measure further provides that bond proceeds will only be used for the purposes specified in the measure, and not for any other purpose.

Approval of this measure authorizes the levy of ad valorem taxes upon taxable property to repay the bonded indebtedness, both principal and interest, in each year that bonds are outstanding. The Pittsburg Unified School District has prepared a Tax Rate Statement, which represents the school district's best estimates of the property tax rates required to service the bonds. The estimated average annual tax rate required to be levied to fund the bonds is expected to be $55 per $100,000 of assessed valuation over the life of the bonds.

Approval of the measure does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under the measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the measure. The proposed 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.

A "yes" vote authorizes the issuance of the bonds and the levy of taxes as estimated in the Tax Rate Statement to repay the bonded indebtedness. A "yes" vote by 55% of the voters within the District voting on the measure is required for passage of this measure. A "no" vote on this measure disapproves the issuance of the bonds and the levy of the taxes for the bonded indebtedness.

 
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Arguments For Measure L Arguments Against Measure L
Vote Yes on Measure L!

The Pittsburg Unified School District is committed to providing all students a quality education within a safe learning environment.

In order to provide our students with the educational tools, classrooms and school facilities comparable to other Contra Costa County School district, it is necessary to make vital repairs to our schools, upgrade technology, and construct classrooms and school facilities.

Measure L will fund:

  • Installation of solar energy systems
  • Upgrade of electrical wiring/power to accommodate technology and computers in classrooms and libraries
  • Structural earthquake safety improvements to school buildings as necessary to meet current safety codes.
  • Replacement of outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment with modern energy-efficient systems, resulting in millions of dollars in cost savings
  • Construction of permanent classrooms to replace deteriorating portable classrooms
  • Construction of new preschool facilities
  • Repair and upgrade of aging restrooms
  • Repair and replace aging roofs and damaged ceilings
  • Construction of a new junior high school to reduce overcrowding

Measure L will remain in our local Community:

All money raised by Measure L will stay in Pittsburg Unified to benefit our children, our neighborhoods and our property values. By law Measure L funding can only be used for school repairs, upgrades and construction. None of the funds can be used for administrator or teacher salaries.

Taxpayer Accountability:

If Measure L is passed, a citizens' oversight committee will review all bond expenditures to guarantee the money is spent as voters approved. In addition, all bond funds must be independently audited every year. Pittsburg Unified students deserve your vote:

There are more than 9,500 students in our district. They need your help. On November 2, join parents, teachers' community members, business leaders and senior citizens and vote Yes on Measure L.

Francine Confetti, Pittsburg High School Citizens Bond Oversight Committee

Ruben J. Rosalez, Former School Board Member

Orin T. Allen, Retired Probation Mgr., C.C. Co.

Jess Leber, Retired School Administrator

Nancy L. Parent Council Member, City of Pittsburg

No Arguments Against Bond Measure L Were Filed

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent of Schools
An election will be held in the Pittsburg Unified School District (the "District") on November 2, 2010, to authorize the sale of up to $100,000,000 in bonds of the District for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List established by the District, as described in the proposition. If the bonds are authorized and a State bonding capacity waiver is received, the District expects to sell the bonds in one or more 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 and 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 $55 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-12.

2. 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 last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $55 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2018-19
3. The best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the life of the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $55 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Voters should note that estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on Contra Costa 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. 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 Contra Costa County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

Dated: 8-2-2010.

Linda K. Rondeau, Superintendent,
Pittsburg Unified School District


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