This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund If you appreciate our service to voters, please consider helping us with a donation.
Smart Voter
Los Angeles County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Measure L
School Improvement Funding
Lancaster Elementary School District

School Bonds - 55% Approval Required

Pass: 21,804 / 70.24% Yes votes ...... 9,238 / 29.76% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 2 2:20pm, 100.00% of Precincts Reporting (56/56)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To better prepare students for success in high school, college and careers, repair, upgrade outdated classrooms and school buildings, upgrade classrooms, science labs and computer systems to keep pace with technology, improve student safety and security systems, and make funding available to protect and improve the quality of core academic instruction, shall the Lancaster School District issue $63,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, with independent oversight, no money for administrator salaries, and all money staying local?

Impartial Analysis from John F. Krattli, County Counsel
Approval of Measure L would authorize the Board of Trustees ("Board") of the Lancaster School District ("District"), to issue general obligation bonds, in an amount not to exceed $63,000,000.

Funds received from the sale of the bonds shall be used only for the specific purposes set forth in the Measure, including updating computer technology, communication systems, and instructional technology; furnishing and replacing computers, digital tablets, and textbooks; constructing, modernizing, and equipping an elementary school; installing and updating communication and fire safety systems, bells, clocks, intercoms, and telephone and public address systems; constructing and renovating student support facilities, laboratory, library, and media centers; providing and installing security cameras, alarm systems, lighting, and fencing; constructing and furnishing a gymnasium and athletic fields; repairing and replacing playgrounds surfaces and roofs; improving school building exteriors; upgrading and replacing energy management system, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. No funds may be used for board member, administrator, teacher or staff salaries or benefits or other school operating expenses.

Independent performance and financial audits will be performed annually to ensure that bond procej(ds have been expended only on the projects on the Bond Project List. The Board shall appoint an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee in compliance with Education Code section 15278, 15280 and 15282.

The bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code shall have a maturity not exceeding twenty five (25) years, and the bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code shall have a maturity not exceeding forty (40) years. The best estimate of the highest tax rate required to fund the bonds, based on the assessed valuations available at the time of the election, is $24.00 per $100,000 of the taxable property within the District.

This Measure requires a fifty-five percent (55%) vote for passage.

  Official Information

Lancaster School District
This election is archived. Any links to sources outside of Smart Voter may no longer be active. No further links will be added to this page.
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure L
MEASURE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND UPGRADED CLASSROOMS

In order for our kids to be prepared for high school and college, they must be skilled in 21st Century technologies and have a solid background in science, math, and technology. We need to ensure our local students have access to the education tools and quality learning environments they need to succeed in high school, college, and careers.

MEASURE "L" WILL:

  • Upgrade classrooms, science labs and computer systems to keep pace with technology
  • Repair or replace leaky roofs, worn-out floors, old rusty plumbing, and faulty electrical systems
  • Provide the facilities and equipment needed for career and technology education classes so students are prepared for high school, college and good paying jobs in science, technology, and skilled trades fields

MEASURE "L" IS A GOOD INVESTMENT.

As taxpayers, we know it is important to have good schools with quality classrooms. This measure will save the Lancaster School District almost $2 million per year in utility costs and debt payments. This is money that can be spent on retaining qualified teachers and protecting the quality of classroom instruction.

MEASURE "L" MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE.

  • Quality schools help protect and improve local property values
  • All of the money raised by this measure will stay local improving school facilities, technology and classroom instruction, and can't be taken away by the State

MEASURE "L" INCLUDES TAXPAYERS SAFEGUARDS AND ACCOUNTABllXIY:

  • Annual financial audits
  • An independent citizens' oversight committee to ensure money is spent properly
  • No monies for administrative salaries

Many of our school buildings were built more than 50 years ago. We need to update our schools, technology, and equipment if we expect our students to have the same opportunities as others to succeed.

Please join us and VOTE YES on Measure "L"!

JANICE FORTE-WATSON
Principal- Linda Verde School

TONYA CARLINE
Parent

DONITA WINN
Trustee - Antelope Valley Union High School District

HOWARD E. SUNDBERG
Past District Superintendent

KEITH GILES
President Lancaster School District Board of Trustees

(No arguments against Measure L were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from MICHELE BOWERS, Ed.D., Superintendent, Lancaster School District
An election will be held in the Lancaster School District (the "District") on November 6, 2012 to authorize the sale of up to $63.0 million in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the Measure. 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 from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the first sale of the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, is $24.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation of all property to be taxed for the year 2013-14.

2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, are $24.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation of all property to be taxed and the year 2028-29.

3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, are $24.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation of all property to be taxed beginning in the year 2013-14.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the 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 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.

Dated: August 9, 2012


Los Angeles Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: December 17, 2012 13:44 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://cavotes.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.