League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure D Bonds Bellevue Union School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 1,314 / 62.2% Yes votes ...... 797 / 37.8% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure D

A Yes vote on Measure D will raise funds to address specific needs at the schools in the Bellevue Union School District. By continuing to invest in the renovation and expansion of our local schools, we are able to provide our students with an educational environment which supports achievement and success. A Yes vote on Measure D will provide funds to renovate and modernize Kawana Elementary School, acquire leased solar equipment to provide additional energy savings, add restrooms at Meadow View Elementary School and build new classrooms to accommodate increasing enrollment in the district. Measure D provides for strict accountability. The School Board adopted a very specific resolution listing the projects to be completed with Measure D funds. These funds must be independently audited each year. In addition, an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee will monitor and review all bond expenditures. This Committee of local residents and taxpayers will make sure that all Measure D funds are spent as planned for the benefit of local students. The Bellevue Union School District has done an outstanding job with past bond funds. The district has renovated Bellevue School, added classrooms at Taylor Mountain School and has installed solar panels which will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in utility costs. But there is more to be completed and there are no other funds available. Quality schools protect and enhance our property values, and support our students. We must continue to invest in our schools. Good schools make for great communities. We are proud of our local schools, and we ask you to please join us in voting Yes on Measure D. s/ Virginia L. Kuser Volunteer and Senior Citizen s/ Evelia Castillo PTA President, Kawana s/ Danielle Bennett Voluntee r s/ Dennis Carrera Retired Teacher, Bellevue Alumni s/ Pattie Dawson Sonoma County Teacher of the Year (No arguments against Measure D were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Bellevue Union Elementary School District (the "District") on June 3, 2014, to authorize the sale of up to $12,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in series over time. 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 of the tax 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 1.8 tenths cents per $100 ($18.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2014-15. 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 1.8 tenths cents per $100 ($18.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17. 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 1.8 tenths cents per $100 ($18.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2018-19. 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. The foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only. 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 need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. 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. s/ Alicia Henderson, Superintendent Bellevue Union Elementary School District REQUIRED STATEMENT REGARDING STATE MATCHING FUNDS MEASURE D Approval of Measure D does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Bellevue Union School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure D will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure D. The District's proposal for the project or projects assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. California Education Code §15122.

Full Text of Measure D

BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Bellevue Union Elementary School District (the "District") shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $12,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List below, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below. ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the District's voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the District, all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIII A, 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 Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated the facilities needs of the District, and the priority of addressing each of these needs. In the course of its evaluation, the Board of Trustees took safety, class size reduction and information technology needs into consideration while developing the Bond Project List. Limitation on Use of Bond Proceeds. The State of California does not have the legal authority to take locally approved school district bond funds for any State purposes. The Constitution allows proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition to be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities listed in this proposition, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the 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. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff only when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projecta. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure bond proceeds are spent only for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date on which the Board of Trustees enters the election results on its minutes. Annual Performance Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds (which shall be separate from the District's regular annual financial audit) until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Trustees shall take actions necessary pursuant to Government Code Section 53410 and following to establish an account in which proceeds of the sale of bonds will be deposited. As long as any proceeds of the bonds remain unexpended, the Superintendent or the Director, Business Services of the District (or such other employee as may perform substantially similar duties) shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2014, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as such officer shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS Specific Purposes. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100, and shall constitute the specific purposes of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purposes, pursuant to Government Code Section 53410. Joint Use. The District may enter into agreements with the County of Sonoma or other public agencies or nonprofit organizations for joint use of school facilities financed with the proceeds of the bonds in accordance with Education Code Section 17077.42 (or any successor provision). The District may seek State grant funds for eligible joint-use projects as permitted by law, and this proposition hereby specifies and acknowledges that bond funds will or may be used to fund all or a portion of the local share for any eligible joint-use projects identified in the Bond Project List or as otherwise permitted by California State regulations, as the Board of Trustees shall determine. Rate of Interest. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate per annum not exceeding the statutory maximum, payable at the time or times permitted by law. Term of Bonds. The number of years the whole or any part of the bonds are to run shall not exceed the legal limit, though this shall not preclude bonds from being sold which mature prior to the legal limit. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List below describes the specific projects the Bellevue Union Elementary School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed projects will be completed as needed at a particular District site according to District Board of Trustees-established priorities, and the order in which such projects appear on the Bond Project List is not an indication of priority for funding or completion. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. Certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Until all project costs and funding sources are known, the Board of Trustees cannot determine the amount of bond proceeds available to be spent on each project, nor guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. Completion of some projects may be subject to further government approvals by State officials and boards, to local environmental review, and to input from the public. For these reasons, inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List is not a guarantee that the project will be funded or completed. The Bond Project List contains more projects than the District currently estimates the Bonds can fund to provide flexibility should additional efficiencies be realized or should Board priorities change. The Board of Trustees may make changes to the Bond Project List in the future consistent with the projects specified in the proposition. Bond Projects Renovations and Modernizations at Kawana Academy of Arts and Sciences comprising the types of projects set forth below, Construction and acquisition of additional classrooms and facilities to accommodate enrollment growth, and Acquisition of leased solar facilities. The following additional bond projects are authorized at: Bellevue Elementary School (3223 Primrose Avenue) Kawana Academy of Arts and Sciences (2121 Moraga Avenue) Meadow View Elementary School (2665 Dutton Meadow Avenue) Taylor Mountain Elementary School (1210 East Bellevue Avenue) Stony Point Academy (3223 Primrose Avenue) District Office (3150 Education Drive) Construct, Upgrade and Repair Classrooms, including, but not limited to: Construct new permanent classrooms and classroom buildings or acquire and install relocatable classrooms to accommodate enrollment growth and expanded programs, Upgrade, reconstruct, or rehabilitate classroom and other facility interiors, including painting, floor and ceiling finishes and tiles, carpeting, windows, cabinets and casework, replace, install or construct interior walls, and equipment attached to wall surfaces (including white boards, marker boards, tack boards, television mounts, smart projectors, scoreboards, fire extinguishers, kitchen cabinets/equipment, etc.). Site, Exterior and Grounds Improvements, including but not limited to: Central point of access fencing, Refinish the exterior finishes of school buildings, including paint, stucco, wood and metal trims, framing and siding, etc., Upgrade and expand parking and vehicle access to school sites, including off-street parking areas, pickup/drop-off, ingress/egress, signage, etc., Upgrade, repair, replace, modify or construct site improvements, paths, sidewalks and walkways, canopies, exterior shade structures, outside gathering and eating areas, benches, landscape improvements, irrigation and drainage, etc., Renovate, improve, repair or install playgrounds, hard courts, athletic play fields, tracks and turf, including new synthetic fields, including irrigation and drainage, bleachers, lighting, fencing, etc., and field equipment and facilities (including nets, basketball standards, goals and goalposts, backstops). Kitchen Improvements and Construction, including, but not limited to: Upgrade, renovate, or construct new kitchens, Acquire, repair or replace equipment, including stove, refrigerator, ice machine, etc. Construct, repair, demolish and/or reconstruct dry storage, serving areas, restrooms, dry storage, and flooring, Repair or replace fixtures. Systems and Safety Systems Installations and Upgrades, including, but not limited to: Improve fire safety and life safety systems, including alarms, smoke/fire detection systems, and sprinklers, Upgrade/install school-wide and District-wide security systems, clock and bell systems, public address, etc., including alarms, security cameras, exterior and schoolsite lighting, locks, monitoring systems, fencing, etc., Upgrade climate control systems consisting of heating, ventilation, cooling/ air conditioning, including alternative and passive technologies to conserve energy, such as energy-efficient windows, window coverings and shade control, shade canopies, etc., Upgrade electrical systems as well as main power service and distribution, which may include acquiring, installing and/or constructing active and passive solar power and/or heating systems and equipment, Replace, repair or upgrade plumbing, piping and drainage systems, including water supply, backup generator, meters, water heating, and wastewater systems, plumbing fixtures and sinks, etc., within buildings and sites and to connect with city supply and drainage systems, Upgrade/install voice and data communications systems, including network and electrical infrastructure to accommodate technology upgrades, Upgrade main electrical panels, Re-route conduits. Building and Facilities Improvements, including but not limited to: Repair, modify, upgrade or reconstruct structural elements of existing campus structures, Refinish the exterior finishes of school buildings, including paint, stucco, wood and metal trims, framing and siding, etc., Replace doors, door frames and door hardware, including install safety/security doors and locks, Replace windows, window frames and window hardware, including installing safety/security windows, Upgrade/remodel or construct student and staff restrooms, including fixtures, lighting, partitions, Construct or remodel existing rooms into teacher workrooms, computer labs, resource rooms, and day care facility, Construct, repair, replace or modify roofs or portions of roofs, Construct, reconstruct/remodel and expand multi-purpose buildings, for instructional and physical education and recreational uses (may be joint-use projects). Incidental Work Authorized At All Sites (at which Renovation, Upgrades, Major Repairs and/or New Construction to be Completed) Each project listed above includes allocable costs such as election and bond issuance costs, architectural, engineering, inspection and similar planning costs, construction management (whether by the District or a third-party), annual financial and performance audits, a contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs and other costs necessary or incidental to the completion of the listed projects and otherwise permitted by law, including, but not limited to: Remove hazardous materials, e.g., asbestos, lead, etc., where necessary Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (e.g., plumbing or gas line breaks, dry-rot, seismic, structural, etc.) Other improvements required to comply with building codes. Furnishing and equipping + of newly constructed classrooms and facilities + replace worn/broken/out of date furniture and equipment Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease, lease-lease-back, or lease-purchase arrangements, or execute or exercise a purchase option under a lease for any of the authorized facilities or equipment. Acquisition of real property for any authorized project. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for modernization, if the Board of Trustees determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Rental or construction of temporary classrooms (including modular classrooms) as needed to house students displaced during construction Necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of modular classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property The Bond Project List shall be considered a part of this ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.