League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Fresno County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure Q Quality Neighborhood Schools, Classroom Repair and Teacher Retention Measure Fresno Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 51125 / 75.72% Yes votes ...... 16397 / 24.28% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Q

Measure Q will keep our school district moving forward without raising taxes! It's no secret that State budget cuts have hurt our local schools but we're doing everything possible to improve our schools despite these challenges. Please join a broad coalition of parents, teachers, principals, and business and community leaders in support of Measure Q. Why is Measure Q so important? YES ON Q: Improves our schools without increasing the current tax rate Provides $280 million for school upgrades YES ON Q: Prepares our children for 21st century jobs Invests in vocational education classrooms, preparing students with skills needed for today's job market YES ON Q: Attracts and retains quality teachers Renovating schools will help retain and attract quality classroom teachers YES ON Q: Invests in 21st century technology and equipment Upgrades classrooms, libraries, labs, computers and infrastructure to keep pace with advancing technology YES ON Q: Provides matching funds Measure Q qualifies our school for matching funds for education facilities YES ON Q: Helps prevent dropouts Improves alternative schools and after school programs, which helps keep students off the streets and away from drugs and gangs YES ON Q: Invests in renovation and security of our existing schools Funds essential renovations, including making all schools handicap accessible and fixing restrooms and plumbing, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems Replaces deteriorating portables with permanent classrooms Upgrades locks, security cameras, lighting, gates and fencing YES ON Q: Provides accountability Independent citizens' oversight Annual independent audit YES ON Q: Means quality neighborhoods. Quality schools + Quality education = Quality neighborhoods. Join us in voting Yes on Measure Q Measure Q is right for our community, good for our neighborhoods and most of all, important for our children. Please visit http://www.YesOnMeasureQ.org s/Ashley Swearengin Mayor, City of Fresno s/Francine M. Farber President, League of Women Voters of Fresno (No arguments against Measure Q were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Fresno Unified School District (the "District") on November 2, 2010, to authorize the sale of up to $280,000,000 in bonds ("2010 Bond Authorization") of the District to finance school facilities as described in the measure. If such bonds are authorized and sold, principal and interest on the bonds will be payable only 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. Such information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience within the District, and other demonstrable factors. Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, the following information is provided: 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 a projection of assessed valuations, is $40.92 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2011-12. 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 a projection of assessed valuations, is $60.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2018-19. 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on a projection of assessed valuations, is $60.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2018-19. 4. The tax rates associated with the 2010 Bond Authorization, combined with the District's outstanding obligations, are estimated to not increase aggregate future tax rates above the projected 2010-11 tax rate. 5. 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 a projection of assessed valuations, is $40.92 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2011-12. 6. 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 a projection of assessed valuations, is $60.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2018-19. 7. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on a projection of assessed valuations, is $60.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2018-19. 8. The tax rates associated with the 2010 Bond Authorization, combined with the District's outstanding obligations, are estimated to not increase aggregate future tax rates above the projected 2010-11 tax rate. Voters should note the estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, 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. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions. The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon 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 date 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 sale. Actual future assessed valuations 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. s/Michael E. Hanson, Superintendent, Fresno Unified School District S/Larry L. Powell, Superintendent, Fresno County Office of Education

Full Text of Measure Q

FRESNO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND MEASURE Q FULL TEXT OF MEASURE QUALITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS, CLASSROOM REPAIR AND TEACHER RETENTION MEASURE To offset state budget cuts, attract quality teachers, and repair classrooms by: Upgrading vocational education classrooms / science labs / technology / libraries; Improving security / fire safety / restrooms / plumbing / ventilation systems; Increasing handicapped access; Securing state matching funds; Replacing deteriorating portables; Preventing dropouts by improving alternative schools; Acquiring, constructing, repairing campuses / facilities / equipment; Shall Fresno Unified School District issue $280 million in bonds requiring audits, citizens' oversight, no money for administrators' salaries, no money for Sacramento, and no tax rate increase? BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $280 million in aggregated principal at interest rates not in excess of the legal limit and to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List described below, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below. The Bonds may be issued under the provisions of the California Education Code (starting at Section 15100), under the provisions of the California Government Code (starting at Section 53506), or under any other provision of law authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds by school districts. The Bonds may be issued in series by the District from time to time, and each series of Bonds shall mature within the legal limitations set forth in the applicable law under which the Bonds are issued. ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this measure in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely. Expenditures to address specific facilities needs of the District will be in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, 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). The proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be deposited into a Building Fund to be held by the Fresno County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code, and will be used only for the purposes specified in Measure Q, and not for any other purpose. Evaluation of Needs. The School Board has identified detailed facilities needs of the District and has determined which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The School Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List shown below. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The School Board shall establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee under Education Code Section 15278 and following to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. The committee will be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the School Board. Performance Audits. The School Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. Financial Audits. The School Board 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 below. Annual Report. The Superintendent of the District is required to cause an annual report to be filed with the Board of Education of the District, the first report to be filed not later than one year after the issuance of the first series of the Bonds, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in Measure Q, as required by Sections 53410 and 53411 of the Government Code. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or 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. BOND PROJECT LIST Projects Subject to Available Funding. The following list of projects is subject to the availability of adequate funding to the District. Approval of the bond measure does not guarantee that the proposed projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under the measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the bond measure. The District's proposal for the 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. The proceeds from the sale of the District's bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in the Measure, and not for any other purpose. Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended to modernize, replace, renovate, construct, acquire, equip, furnish, rebuild and otherwise improve educational and support facilities within the District. Projects which are described below include all related and incidental costs, including their share of the costs of the election and bond issuance and costs of design, engineering, architect and other professional services, inspections, site preparation, utilities, landscaping, construction management and other planning, legal, accounting and similar costs, independent annual financial and performance audits, a customary construction contingency, and other costs incidental to and necessary for completion of the listed projects. Bond proceeds may also be expended to acquire real property (or any interest in real property) for future educational and support facilities and to acquire and install furniture, fixtures and equipment at any classrooms and other educational facilities within the District. The District may alter the scope and nature of any of the specific projects which are described below as required by conditions that arise during the course of design and construction. Whenever specific items are included in the following list, they are presented to provide examples and are not intended to limit the generality of the broader description of authorized projects. The order in which particular projects are listed is not intended to indicate priority for funding or completion. Projects at each site will be accomplished to address the individual site deficiencies and priorities as enumerated in the Facilities Master Plan adopted by the District and, where needed at secondary schools, in conformance with a comprehensive school site plan developed in consultation between each school community, the campus architect / school planning professionals, and District Facilities staff. RENOVATION, MODERNIZATION, REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Career-Vocational Education Bond funds for career-vocational education facilities may be used to: renovate existing facilities and build new specialty facilities supporting career-vocational education programs at new sites and/or at middle and high school sites across the District to train students in high demand occupations and growth industries; provide flexible classroom space to allow hands-on / activity-based learning; upgrade and expand classrooms, labs, and specialized facilities for career and vocational technology programs; provide high schools with career centers for career exploration and counseling; and provide funds to qualify the District for career-technical education matching grants. Technology / Computers / Internet Bond funds for technology, computers, internet facilities and equipment may be used to: provide up-to-date classroom and instructional technology required for 21st century student learning and teaching; bring classroom and school sites up to District standards by installing / upgrading campus technology infrastructure including the electrical systems, district network and internet connectivity that will support modern technology; add / replace / upgrade computers, servers and support equipment; and install / upgrade school communications and multimedia equipment and systems. Alternative and Continuing Education To assist the District in preparing career-ready graduates, decreasing the number of dropouts, developing students as life-long learners, and providing parents and community members with opportunities to gain workplace skills and knowledge, Bond funds may be used to: ensure that high-quality alternative school options are offered for students at risk of dropping out of high school; provide for new and upgraded schools that address the needs of at-risk youth, including but not limited to Cambridge High School, Dakota Campus, DeWolf High School, J.E. Young Academic Center, and Phoenix Academy; provide for facilities to support life-long learning opportunities for parents and community members, including but not limited to the Cesar Chavez Adult School; and provide for alternative education facilities that house programs specifically designed to keep students in school and on target to graduate, such as credit recovery, General Education Diploma programs, and independent study. High Schools, Middle Schools and Elementary Schools Bond funds may be applied to finance any of the projects described herein, including off-site improvements, which benefit any of the following: High Schools Bullard Hoover McLane Design Science Cambridge Edison Sunnyside Duncan Dakota Campus DeWolf Fresno Roosevelt CART J.E. Young Rata Middle Schools Ahwahnee Anthony Baird Carver Computech Cooper Fort Miller Kings Canyon Scandinavian Sequoia Tehipite Tenaya Terronez Tioga Wawona Yosemite Elementary Schools Addams Addicott Anthony Ayer Aynesworth Bakman Balderas Bethune Birney Bullard Talent Burroughs Calwa Carver Centennial Columbia Dailey Del Mar Easterby Eaton Ericson Ewing Figarden Forkner Fremont Gibson Greenberg Hamilton Heaton Hidalgo Holland Homan Jackson Jefferson King Kirk Kratt Lane Lawless Leavenworth Lincoln Lowell Malloch Manchester Gate Mayfair McCardle Muir Norseman Olmos Phoenix Academy Powers-Ginsburg Pyle Robinson Roeding Rowell Slater Southeast Starr Storey Sunset Thomas Turner Viking Vinland Webster Williams Wilson Winchell Wishon Wolters Yokomi Other Educational Facilities Other existing and/or future school facilities that serve primary and secondary school students within the District, together with any educational support facilities of the District. The following is a list of specific projects which may be financed from Bond funds: remodel / build / upgrade classrooms and school facilities and equipment for career / vocational training and career counseling centers, primarily at middle and high schools; install / improve / equip school computer, technology and supporting infrastructure including electrical system and district network and internet infrastructure to accommodate technology upgrades; install / upgrade school communications and multimedia equipment and systems; provide local matching funds for school facilities grant opportunities; construct new classrooms, replace deteriorating temporary portable classrooms and remove unneeded portables from school sites; renovate and modernize outdated classrooms; improve school safety and security by installing / improving lighting, locks, monitoring systems, storage, fencing and landscaping and by making repairs to ensure safe buildings and grounds; remodel / build restrooms to provide healthy and clean facilities in adequate numbers to accommodate student and adult populations; upgrade / remodel / build core school facilities including libraries, cafeterias, offices, restrooms, counseling offices, assembly-performance spaces, specialty classrooms, supporting school ancillary facilities and athletic fields, gyms, locker rooms and associated facilities; build / upgrade facilities to accommodate parent participation and specialty needs, including space for project-based learning, parent / community rooms, counseling, special education rooms, science labs, computer labs, art, music or dance rooms; upgrade / construct permanent classrooms and classroom buildings to accommodate enrollment growth and expanded programs; provide safe and welcoming entrances to school campuses through use of new signage, lighting and landscaping, including improvements to student drop-off / pickup areas; provide planning and matching funds for the modernization needs of eligible schools; build / renovate / equip school facilities, classrooms and playground equipment to serve the unique academic, social and physical needs of special education students; upgrade / build preschool facilities; build / upgrade storage for classrooms and school campuses; build / upgrade shaded outdoor eating and assembly areas; install / replace / upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning units; install / replace / upgrade smart energy devices; climate control systems; and passive energy conservation technologies such as energy efficient windows, window coverings, and shade control; create a comprehensive energy conservation program that meets Department of Education and Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for Energy Star certification; ensure all buildings / school sites comply with current code requirements, including Field Act (seismic structural upgrades), Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Title IX provisions; and modernize school facilities and sites as needed; making interior and exterior improvements including upgrade of infrastructure and major building, electrical and plumbing systems; fire and security system upgrades; repairing / replacing roofs, doors, windows; repairing / replacing water, sewer, plumbing and irrigation systems; repainting facilities; resurfacing parking areas and playcourts; upgrading sidewalks, paths and walkways; renovating and improving play and athletic fields and structures, including the installation / upgrade of outdoor athletic equipment, irrigation and lights. Joint / Community Use To provide for expanded community use of school facilities, buildings and fields, the District may make facility/school site improvements to accommodate such use. The District may enter into agreements with the City of Fresno, the County of Fresno, or other agencies or nonprofit organizations for joint use of any projects which are listed herein, in accordance with Education Code Section 17011.42 (or any successor provision). The District may seek State grant or matching funds for eligible joint-use projects as permitted by law, and Bond funds may to be used to fund all or a portion of the share for such eligible joint-use projects as the School Board shall determine. Special Education Bond funds may be used to provide a source of funds to support students with special learning needs. Special education students shall have access to the entire range of school-based academic, social and extracurricular activities in the least restrictive environment possible. Most educational services are provided by neighborhood schools; however, some accommodations and modifications for students to access core curriculum are best provided at designated sites with specialized facilities such as Addicott and Rata. Bond funds may be used to build / renovate / equip school facilities, classrooms and playground equipment to meet students' unique academic, social or physical needs. Facility Repair and Energy / Water Conservation Bond funds may be used to address major repair work needed at any educational or support facilities of the District on a periodic or emergency basis, including but not limited to the following: install / replace / upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning units; install / replace / upgrade smart energy devices; climate control systems; and passive energy conservation technologies such as energy efficient windows, window coverings, and shade control; create a comprehensive energy conservation program that meets Department of Education and Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for Energy Star certification; bring all buildings / school sites into compliance with current code requirements, including Field Act (seismic), Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Title IX provisions; make interior and exterior improvements including upgrade of infrastructure and major building, electrical and plumbing systems; upgrade / install fire and security systems; repair / replace roofs, doors, windows; repair / replace water, sewer, plumbing and irrigation systems; repaint facilities; resurface parking areas and playcourts; upgrade sidewalks, paths and walkways, renovate and improve play and athletic fields and structures, including the installation / upgrade of outdoor athletic equipment, irrigation and lights; incorporate sustainable site design, water conservation and energy efficiency into the building projects and repairs as part of a District green initiative; and repair and improve irrigation systems and water consuming facilities such as swimming pools and incorporate water-saving control systems. "Approval of Measure Q does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Fresno Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure Q will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure Q. The 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."