League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Humboldt County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Measure W School Bond Measure Trinidad Union School District Bond Measure - 55% Approval Required Pass: 568 / 81.49% Yes votes ...... 129 / 18.51% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure W

Trinidad Elementary School is one of the most important assets in our community and should be our number one priority. From higher achieving students, to training for future jobs, to greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. Our teachers and staff do their best in educating our children, but many classrooms and school facilities in the Trinidad Union School District are old and inadequate to provide students with the school facilities they need to succeed. Our children need your YES vote on Measure W! While our school has been well maintained, some of our facilities are over 50 years old and do not meet 21st century standards. A school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of education provided to local children. Therefore, we must invest in our elementary school so it meets today's safety, technological, and educational standards. If passed, Measure W will make critical facility improvements at Trinidad Elementary School by: Replacing 1950's plumbing systems Improving student access to computers and modern technology Modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities Upgrading inadequate electrical systems; and Making health and safety improvements Measure W makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. All bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State. By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee. Funds can only be spent to improve Trinidad Elementary School, not for teacher or administrative salaries. Measure W upgrades and repairs old, inadequate classrooms, improves the education of local children and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE W! s/ Gail Kenny, Retired Compliance Coordinator, HSU s/ Glenn W. Saunders, Business Owner s/ Janice O. West, Educator s/ Julie Fulkerson, Business/Non-profit Consultant s/ Michael Pinske, Community Activist (No arguments against Measure W were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from the Superintendent of Trinidad Union School District

An election will be held in the Trinidad Union School District (the "District") on June 5, 2012 to authorize the sale of $2,200,000 in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code. 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 $.03000 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2012-13. 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 $.03000 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16. 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 $.03000 per $100 ($30.00 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 District. Actual assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process. Dated: February 14, 2012 s/Geoffrey Proust Superintendent Trinidad Union School District

Full Text of Measure W

INTRODUCTION To improve the quality of education; make health and safety improvements; replace 1950s plumbing systems; improve student access to computers and modern technology; modernize classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities; upgrade inadequate electrical systems; and renovate the multi-purpose room for school and community use; shall the Trinidad Union School District issue $2,200,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, have an independent citizens' oversight committee and have NO money taken by the state or used for administrative salaries? BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the Trinidad Union School District will be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds of up to $2.2 million in aggregate principal amount at interest rates below 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. 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.) 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 Sections 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. Government Code Accountability Requirements. As required by Section 53410 of the Government Code, (1) the specific purpose of the bonds is set forth in this Full Text of the Measure, (2) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in this Measure, and not for any other purpose, (3) the proceeds of the bonds, when and if issued, will be deposited into a building fund to be held by the Humboldt County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code, and (4) the Superintendent of the District shall cause an annual report to be filed with the Governing Board of the District not later than January 1 of each year, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in this Measure, as required by Sections 53410 and 53411 of the Government Code. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS No Teacher or Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities and the payment and/or prepayment of school facility leases, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. STATE MATCHING FUNDS Approval of the Measure does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Trinidad Union School District that are the subject of bonds under the Measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the Measure. 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. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List shown below is a part of the ballot measure and must be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond measure. Evaluation of Needs. As required by Article XIII A of the California Constitution, the Governing Board of the District has certified that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the list of school facilities projects shown below. Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended to modernize, replace, renovate, construct, acquire, lease, equip, furnish and otherwise improve the facilities of the Trinidad Union School District. The specific school facilities projects to be funded may include, but shall not be limited to: School Facility and Classroom Repair and Renovation Projects Replace outdated plumbing systems and improve water safety to meet current codes Renovate, repair, construct and/or upgrade classrooms, restrooms and school facilities Repair and upgrade roofs, walls, floors and storage areas Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increased capacity Improve student access to computers and modern technology and improve technology infrastructure Repair or replace outdated heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters with building code compliant, energy efficient systems Upgrade and equip labs, multipurpose rooms, food service facilities, auditoriums, libraries, and other school facilities Repair or replace outdated windows Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades including site access, parking, staff and student restrooms, relocation of some existing electrical devices, drinking fountains, playground equipment, etc. Install, replace or upgrade safety and security systems for our students and staff Federal and State-mandated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety upgrades including playground equipment replacement Abate and remove hazardous materials identified prior or during construction Upgrade fire alarm systems Repair, replace and/or upgrade paved surfaces, turf, and other grounds to eliminate safety hazards and improve outside instructional areas