League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Contra Costa County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure H School Facilities Improvements West Contra Costa Unified School District Bond Measure - 55% Approval Required Fail: 13529 / 46.31% Yes votes ...... 15686 / 53.69% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Full Text of Measure H

"To repair and upgrade neighborhood schools, shall West Contra Costa Unified School District improve earthquake safety, seniors and handicap accessibility; update science, computer labs, remove asbestos, hazardous materials and lead-based paint; bring all West County schools up to the same quality; meet fire codes, construct, equip facilities, thereby increasing public safety, by issuing $270 million of bonds the State cannot take away, at legal rates, with strict citizens oversight, annual audits and no money for pensions or administrators' salaries?" PROJECT LIST The Board of Education of the West Contra Costa Unified School District certifies that it has evaluated the District's urgent and critical school needs, including school and student safety issues, enrollment trends, class size reduction, overcrowding, energy efficiency and computer technology, seismic safety requirements, and aging, outdated or deteriorating school buildings in developing the scope of projects to be funded. In developing the scope of projects, the District has prioritized the key health and safety and sustainability needs so that the most critical school site needs are addressed. The Board conducted an evaluation at all school sites and received public input in developing the scope of school projects to be funded. This input concluded that if these needs were not addressed now, the problem would only get worse and more expensive to address in the future. In approving this Project List, the Board of Education determines that the District should: (i) Provide classrooms for job training to prepare students for the workforce. (ii) Upgrade classrooms to support the core academics of math, science, reading and writing. (iii) Upgrade computer and science labs. (iv) Qualify for millions of dollars of State matching funds. (v) Provide good after-school program space so students are safe from gangs and drugs. (vi) Adhere to specific FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as these: (a) Sacramento will be prohibited from taking any of the funds raised. (b) All expenditures will be subject to annual independent financial and performance audits. (c) No funds will be used for administrators' salaries and pensions. (d) All funds will be subject to local control and provide improvements at all of our schools. (e) An independent citizens' oversight committee will be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent only as authorized. (vii) Follow the District's successful program of applying to the California Department of Education for a Waiver of Bonding Capacity, so that the needs of District students for high quality educational facilities can be satisfied. (viii) Develop a method of using proceeds of the Bonds in part to provide for a tax rate stabilization fund with the County, to insure that target tax rates for property owners within the District on this and prior Bond Measures supporting the Bond Construction Program of the District can be stabilized. The Project List includes the following types of projects: School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects Goal and Purpose: Schools will benefit from the renovation, repair and upgrade of deteriorating, outdated school buildings, science labs, classrooms, computer learning centers and school libraries and equipment, in order to ensure compliance with handicap accessibility requirements and that students and teachers have the resources they need to excel and students be prepared for college and the real world when they graduate, by undertaking the following: Repair, upgrade and replace worn-out leaking roofs. Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes. Additional electrical service capacity to relieve currently overloaded electrical systems. Replace existing water, sewer, plumbing and storm drain systems to meet current codes, including the elimination of lead-containing fixtures. Upgrade aging and deteriorating school restrooms. Provide improved, upgraded computer labs. Upgrade and equip classrooms, science labs and multipurpose rooms and facilities. Comply with Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)handicap accessibility requirements. Replace old, portable classrooms with permanent structures. Upgrade aging schools and replace portable classrooms with new construction. School Health, Safety and Security, Earthquake Safety and Energy Efficiency School Projects Goal and Purpose: To ensure that the learning process is not interrupted by gangs and drugs or juvenile crime, to maintain healthy students and improve daily attendance, to help attract and retain excellent teachers, and to deter vandalism, schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of health and safety projects, such as: Student Safety Install new security systems, such as security (surveillance) cameras, outdoor lighting, fencing, gates and classroom door locks. Remove or abate asbestos, lead paint, mold and other hazardous materials. Upgrade emergency communication systems. Upgrade fire alarm systems to automatic systems, repair and replace fire safety equipment, add sprinklers and fire safety doors. Upgrades to schools in order to meet handicap accessibility requirements. Replace/upgrade existing signage, bells and clocks. Upgrade and replace playground equipment to meet current safety standards. Energy Efficiency--Returning Savings to the Classrooms. Install energy-efficient systems, including solar panels, energy-efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems for cost savings and energy efficiency. Replace existing window systems with energy-efficient systems. Replace older ceilings, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code-compliant, energy-efficient systems. District-Wide Wiring and Instructional Technology For Effective Learning Environment and Job Training Projects Goal and Purpose: To upgrade computer technology, improve both current instruction methods and to expand job training programs by applying modern technology infrastructure: Update computer labs. Provide and maintain upgraded technology, data and communication equipment. Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications and internet access. Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and software systems. Upgrade and replace classroom furniture, equipment and instructional aids. Upgrade media and audio/visual equipment. Expand bandwidth to allow students greater access to the Internet. Construct new facilities and install up-to-date learning technology and equipment to be used in job and teacher training programs. Listed building, repair and rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program/project management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed repair and construction projects stated above, the Project List also includes the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including the reduction or retirement of outstanding lease or capital facility note obligations, including interim funding incurred to advance fund projects from the Project List, or the reimbursement of the District for such reduction, as well as the refinancing of outstanding general obligation bond debt of the District and creation of a fund to stabilize tax rates levied on District property owners, the construction of new classrooms or schools, if necessary, to serve students, the acquisition of land, the construction or remodeling of administrative support spaces, installation of signage and fencing, the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, facility master plan updates, environmental studies (including environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring) and construction documentation, gymnasium upgrades, temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects and the completion of projects authorized under the District's 1998 Measure E, Measure M, Measure D, Measure J, 2010 Measure D and 2012 Measure E projects, previously approved by the voters. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, LCD projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection, card access systems, laser printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgraded voice-over IP, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment and software. In addition to the projects listed above, the repair and renovation of each of the existing school facilities may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovation of student and staff restrooms; repair and replacement of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiency and to reduce fire risks; repair and replacement of worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls, doors and drinking fountains; demolition of unsafe schools or facilities; installation of wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; repairing and replacing fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; resurfacing or replacing of hard courts, turf and irrigation systems and campus landscaping; building new and/or renovating existing gymnasiums, pools and high school stadiums; upgrading or replacing inadequate libraries, multi-purpose rooms, kitchens and administrative spaces; upgrading locker rooms; installing lunch shelters, artificial turf, and bleachers; improving sanitation and recycling; expanding parking; building a new stadium; installing interior and exterior painting and floor covering; replacing portable classrooms; installing covered walkways or shelters; adding administrative support spaces; upgrading school site kitchens; repairing rubberized play apparatus surfaces; demolition; and construction of various forms of storage and support spaces; upgrading classrooms; repairing, upgrading and installing interior and exterior lighting systems; replacing water and sewer lines and other plumbing systems; and replacing outdated security fences and security systems. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. In the absence of State matching funds, which the District will aggressively pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District may not be able to complete all of the projects listed above. Some projects may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies. Possible joint-use projects could include any of the following at various school sites: libraries, gymnasiums, athletic facilities, daycare centers, preschools and career technology centers. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing or installing irrigation, storm drain, and utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the costs of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to bond projects. Bond proceeds shall only be expended for the specific purposes identified herein. In order to fund the projects and prior to the issuance of any bonds authorized by this Measure, the District may seek one or more waivers from the State Board of Education of the applicable bonding limit requirements of Section 15106 of the Education Code. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410. NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING PENSIONS, TEACHER AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15278 ET SEQ.) TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.