Smart Voter
Kern County, CA November 3, 1998 General
Measure A
School Bonds
Delano Joint Union High School District

3,325 / 78.8% Yes votes ...... 894 / 21.2% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Infomation shown below: Fiscal Impact | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |
To provide students with classrooms for math, science, vocational training and basic high school requirements, offer comparable classrooms to all students, and give students access to technology shall Delano Joint Union High School District construct and acquire a new high school in Delano by issuing $27 million of bonds at interest rates below the legal limit provided that spending is annually reviewed by an independent citizens' oversight committee and no money goes to administrative salaries?
Fiscal Impact:
Tax Rate Statement By Superintendent An election will be held in the Delano Joint Union High School District of Kern County on November 3, 1998 to authorize the sale of $27 million 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 which 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 3.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 1999-2000.

2. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is 9.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2001-02.

3. The best estimate of the tax rate which 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 9.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2001-02.

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.

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
A "yes" vote by at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the voters voting on this measure will authorize the issuance and sale of bonds to finance school facilities for the benefit of the Delano Joint Union High School District ("District") in an amount not to exceed $27,000,000.

By law, the proceeds of the sale of bonds may be used only for the purpose of purchasing or improving real property or for the construction or improvement of school facilities. The proceeds may not be used for current maintenance or operations purposes. As stated in the ballot proposition, the District intends to use the bond proceeds to acquire and construct a new high school in Delano.

If this measure is approved, the bond debt will be a general obligation of the District and will be financed by property taxes levied annually on taxable property located within the District. The ad valorem property tax rate will be increased above one percent (1%) of assessed value for the period necessary to pay off the bond debt, not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from the date of issuance of the bonds or any series of the bonds.

The interest rate on the bonds, which by existing law cannot exceed twelve percent (12%) per annum, will be established at the time of the sale of the bonds and will depend on prevailing market rates. The tax rates which will be levied on each parcel of real property within the District to pay the principal and interest due on the bonds cannot be determined exactly until after the bonds are sold and the interest rate is established.

In the Tax Rate Statement, the District has provided its best estimate of the tax rates which will be applied to service the debts at various intervals during the life of the bonds.

 
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Arguments For Measure A
As taxpayers, we all agree in the importance of our children's education and the quality of community's schools. But, we must also be guaranteed that our tax dollars are spent correctly. What you need to know about Measure A is that not only is it a good deal for our community, you are guaranteed that the money will be spent as promised. Here are the facts:

Measure A requires the formation of an independent oversight committee of business people, parents and accountants to insure that the money is spent as promised and not wasted.

By law, this money can only be spent on school buildings and classrooms. No money will go towards administrators' salaries.

Delano High has over 2500 students crowded into a facility designed to hold only 1600. Measure A will build a new comprehensive high school to relieve this overcrowding.

This new high school will provide students throughout the District with classrooms for science, math and foreign language as well as computers and vocational education.

Measure A will fund a new library and media center.

If Measure A passes, the District will become eligible for over $12 million in State matching grants to build 40 new classrooms.

Delano is a unique and special place that we should all be proud of. Part of this special quality is how we take care of our own and how neighbors help neighbors.

Our schools need Measure A! We urge you to VOTE YES on Measure A.

s/Vera Figueroa, Citizens/Erv Regehr, Businessman/Adela Gonzalez, Asst. City Managers/Lillian Santos, Citizens/Violet Rivas, Citizens/Lucille Butler, Citizens/Richard J. Gonzalez, Citizens/Mauricio Mascarinas, Citizens/Robert Schettler, Citizens/Maria Lydia Berona, Citizen

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)

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Created: February 16, 1999 18:54
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