League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Fresno County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure S Facilities Improvement District No. 1 Sierra Unified School District 55% Approval Required Fail: 2087 / 49.37% Yes votes ...... 2140 / 50.63% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure S

Arguments Against Measure S

Our schools are the most important asset in our community and should be our number one priority. From higher achieving students to greater neighborhood safety to improved property values, quality schools make a difference. Your YES vote on Measure S will improve our local schools by upgrading technology and computers in the classrooms, making needed renovations and repairs, and by improving the District's budget and supporting educational programs and teachers. Measure S will: Upgrade classrooms with up-to-date computers and technology Repair and replace deteriorating roofs Remove asbestos in classrooms and facilities Repair and replace old and deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems Renovate and repair outdated restrooms Improve the district's budget, preserve school programs, and retain teachers and staff by paying off existing school facility debt As taxpayers, we agree on the importance of quality schools, but also on financial safeguards. Measure S makes financial sense and protects taxpayers: By law, all bond monies must be spent locally and entirely within our District Bond funds cannot be taken by the State and spent elsewhere All spending must be reviewed by an independent citizens' oversight committee No money can be used for administrative salaries Measure S deserves our support because it improves the education of local children, and helps maintain the quality of our community + and that's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE S! s/Mike Sikora s/Philip K. (Bud) Olson s/Ben Kimbler s/Patricia A. Witzansky, Teacher of the Year 2010 s/Christina Falk, President, The Sierra Foundation Rebuttal to Arguments For Education has always been taxpayers' number one priority as the majority of our taxes go to schools. Schools, city, state, and county governments are receiving less money because of the poor economy, so they turn to the taxpayers for more. But taxpayers (the producers of wealth) are earning less money and many are losing their jobs and homes. The solution is not to tax more but to cut spending, especially in a district that is losing student enrollment at an alarming rate. This bond is intended to pay off the Foothill Middle School COP loan to free up the budget to "retain teachers" plus various other projects. It is wasteful to spend money on old facilities that may not be used because of decreasing enrollment. Clovis Unified teachers on average receive less pay than SUSD teachers, yet they have taken a 2% salary cut plus furlough days and are scheduled for another pay cut next year. SUSD's 1% cut is not enough. SUSD is already funded per student more than 30% above the state average. This Bond is estimated to last 30 years at potentially 12% interest. It is not prudent to pay off a lesser COP interest bearing loan with a higher rate bond. In these tough financial times, everyone, including SUSD must tighten their belts. Please vote NO against this unnecessary property tax increase and stop this cycle of taxing and spending that is ruining our economy. s/Chloe E. Foster s/Shanna Cooper s/Gaylee Fiel s/Thomas Hancock s/Bonnie Hancock

This is the third school bond placed on the ballot by SUSD in the last two years. High taxes have contributed to increased unemployment and foreclosures. Our Federal, County and City governments are in financial trouble. California is on the verge of bankruptcy due to overspending; deeper debt; high wages, benefits, and pensions. Raising taxes is not the answer, cutting spending is. We must cut, stay within budget and vote NO on this Bond Measure. Conservatively, it is estimated that SUSD will lose another 500 students in the next five years. Eighty percent of the budget goes toward salaries. Reasonably, cuts must be made here. Bonds can not be used for salaries but Measure S will go toward the Foothill Middle School's debt to allow monies from the budget to be used for this purpose. SUSD cannot afford the Loan we already have and this Bond will put us deeper in debt. Recently, taxpayers spent $68 billion to bailout schools, plus another $26 billion bailout with $10 billion designated to pay teacher salaries. California also, received $34 million for integrate technology and $700 million in Race to the Top funds. With reduced enrollment, we should be cutting back and not increase taxes on our friends and neighbors. California law requires schools receive 50 percent of State budget. Our County schools receive about 70% of Fresno County property taxes, plus millions in lottery monies, grants, forest and developer fees, etc. Our three new school buses and summer programs were paid with grants. In 2008-09, SUSD's Average Daily Attendance money was 31 percent higher than state average. By law, this Bond may run for 25 years and cost can not exceed 12% interest per annum. Please Vote "NO" against this property tax increase. s/Chloe E. Foster s/Shanna Cooper s/Gaylee Fiel s/Thomas Hancock s/Bonnie Hancock Rebuttal to Arguments Against Our community is a special place, known for its fierce independence and a commitment to taking care of its own. And today our schools need your help. We all know we can no longer count on the State to solve our problems. Measure S will provide our schools with LOCALLY CONTROLLED FUNDING THAT, BY LAW, CAN NEVER BE TAKEN BY THE STATE AND SPENT ELSEWHERE. Here are the facts: Measure S will be the first school bond ever passed by our community. The District has made + and continues to make + significant cuts in all costs. Measure S will not pay for administrators' salaries, be used to raise teacher pay, or fund pensions. Measure S will improve student safety by providing new fire alarms An Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee and mandatory annual audits will ensure Measure S funds are spent as promised. Measure S will allow our school district to begin long delayed renovations and repairs and continue to build its solid reputation of excellence. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but opinions don't educate children. Quality schools are a cornerstone of this community. As citizens and taxpayers, we have all benefited from the past generations' investment in our schools Now, it's our turn to see that our children have the education they deserve. Vote YES on S. s/Boyd (Jim) Whitener, School Board Member '63 to `71 s/Lue Prindeville s/H.T. Sullivan, Former Teacher Administrator s/Elizabeth Sullivan, Teacher Auberry Elementary s/Kenneth L. Long

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Sierra Unified School District School Facilities Improvement District No. 1 (the"Improvement District") on November 2, 2010 to authorize the sale of $9,600,000 in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code. 1. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required 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 $.0550 per $100 ($55.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-12. 2. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required 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 $.0550 per $100 ($55.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-12. 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is $.0550 per $100 ($55.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. 4. The best estimate of the average tax rate required to fund this bond issue,based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $.0550 per $100 ($55.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. These estimates are based on projections derived from information obtained from official sources. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary depending on the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale and actual increases in assessed valuations. The timing of the bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the needs of the Improvement District. Actual assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the Improvement District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process. s/Michael D. Gardner Superintendent Sierra Unified School District

Full Text of Measure S

SCHOOL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, MEASURE S BOND PROPOSITION OF SIERRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 (SFID NO. 1) "In order to acquire, construct, renovate, upgrade and provide repair of existing school facilities at schools benefiting Sierra Unified School District School Facilities Improvement District No. 1, and in so doing increase educational effectiveness of classrooms for students, shall Sierra Unified School District School Facilities Improvement District No. 1 ("Improvement District") be authorized to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed Nine Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($9,600,000) to construct, renovate, upgrade and provide repair to school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities as described in Attachment "1," which is on file at the offices of the Sierra Unified School District ("District") and incorporated herein by this reference, which bonds shall be issued for a term not to exceed the then-applicable statutory maximum, which is currently twenty-five (25) years in the case of bonds issued under the authority of the Education Code and forty (40) years in the case of bonds issued under the authority of the Government Code, at an interest rate below the legal maximum, and which Bonds shall be subject to the following provisions: (A) That proceeds of the bonds shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities pursuant to California Constitution Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) and further that the proceeds of the Bonds shall be used only for the purposes specified in California Constitution Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) (as amended by Proposition 39) and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and any other school non-construction operating expenses. (B) That a list of specific school facilities projects to be funded with the proceeds of the bonds is attached hereto as Attachment "1," which is on file at the District office and incorporated herein by this reference and, based upon the adoption of this Resolution, this Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the school facilities listed in Attachment "1," which is on file at the District office and incorporated herein by this reference. (C) That the Board of Trustees of the District shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit of the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects identified herein. (D) That the Board of Trustees of the District shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects identified herein. E) That the Board of Trustees of the District will, pursuant to the provisions of applicable State law, appoint a citizens' oversight committee, and conduct annual independent audits (as referenced above) to assure that the Bond proceeds are spent only on the schools, facilities and classroom improvements, projects and costs identified in Attachment "1" and for no other purposes. Such bond proposition is also for the purpose of making the Sierra Unified School District eligible for State matching funds." ATTACHMENT "1" SCHOOL FACILITIES PROJECTS (SIERRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1) Bond proceeds will be expended to modernize, replace, renovate, construct, acquire,equip, rebuild and furnish the District's classrooms, restrooms, and other educational facilities and support facilities including those located at: Auberry Elementary School Sierra Elementary School Foothill Middle School Sierra High School Whenever specific items are included in the following list, they are presented to provide an example and are not intended to limit the generality of the broader description of authorized projects: Upgrade classrooms with up-to-date computers and technology Upgrade electrical systems to improve access to computer technology Repair and/or replace deteriorating roofs Remove asbestos in classrooms and facilities Repair and/or replace old and deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems Repair and/or install heating and air conditioning systems in District classrooms and facilities Install energy-efficient windows and replace aging doors in older classrooms and facilities Install fire alarm safety systems Renovate and repair outdated restrooms Construct additional restrooms Reconfigure parking/drop off areas for increased student safety Repair, upgrade, and/or expand student cafeteria Make maintenanceand infrastructure improvements throughout the District Make handicap accessibility (ADA) upgrades and improvements throughout the District, including restrooms, classrooms, and playgrounds Upgrade playground equipment at elementary schools to meet current safety standards Install additional fencing to improve student safety Pay off existing school facility obligations, including payment and/or prepayment of lease payments, consisting of the outstanding District 2003 Certificates of Participation, thereby allowing more funds to be used to improve the District's budget, preserve school programs, retain teachers and staff and upgrade essential learning materials Project Costs for Furnishing and Equipment Project Costs for furnishings and equipment for some or all of the within-identified District campuses may include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following: security, safety and communication systems and equipment, desks and tables; window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting); computers and computer systems, media recording and presentation equipment, including, but not limited to, audio systems, kitchen equipment; improvements and furnishings; science laboratory equipment; and/or other electronic equipment and systems. Project costs for the above-referenced projects may include site preparation, installation costs, engineering and design costs, project management costs, title acquisition costs, state or local costs or expenses, including legal costs, involving design, planning, environmental review, construction and completion of the aforementioned projects and related costs. Project costs may also include the payment or prepayment of lease payments for lease of authorized facilities, property or buildings, prepayment of lease obligations for facilities purposes and payment of costs and expenses for interim financing of authorized facilities (including, but not limited to, financing delivery costs). Allowable project costs also include: costs of issuing the bonds or other securities (as authorized under California law), informational distribution costs and election costs authorized under State law. Funding for these projects may come from this bond measure or other District resources as the school facilities needs arise. In preparing the foregoing list, the Board of Trustees of the Sierra Unified School District has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs. Approval of the Improvement District's bond measure does not guarantee that all of the identified projects within this list will be funded beyond local funds generated by the bond measure and does not guarantee that the projects will be completed in any particular order. The District will also aggressively pursue funds from the State of California to complete facilities projects.