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Measure K School Bond Lodi Unified School District 15,863 / 57.1% Yes votes ...... 11,918 / 42.9% No votes
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| Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text | ||||
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To plan and construct up to twelve (12) new schools; to acquire, construct, renovate, furnish and equip school facilities and grounds; add structures to existing schools; upgrade certain classrooms; and upgrade fire and safety systems; shall the Lodi Unified School District incur bonded indebtedness of not to exceed $109,360,000, the rate of interest thereon not to exceed the maximum rate allowable by law, and establish an oversight committee?
The measure requires approval by fifty-five percent (55%) of the voters voting on it. The proceeds of the bonds shall be used to fund the acquisition of real property for District Schools and the construction and renovation of District Schools. If the measure passes, the District shall establish a citizen's oversight committee to ensure that the proceeds of the bonds are spent only for the purposes identified in the District's election order resolution. If the measure passes, the District shall conduct annual, independent performance and financial audits to ensure that the bond funds have been expended only for the specific projects listed in the election order resolution and District's chief fiscal officer shall file a report of the amount of the funds collected and expended and the status of any project funded by the bonds. The bond sale may not cause the District's total outstanding bond indebtedness to exceed 2.5% of the assessed value of taxable property within the District as shown by San Joaquin County's last equalized assessment, unless this limit is waived pursuant to Election Code Section 33050. The maximum interest rate on the bonds must not exceed the maximum allowed by law. The bonds shall be repaid through a property tax levied and collected by the County each year on all taxable property within the District in an amount sufficient to pay the interest and principal coming due prior to the next year's tax levy. The Tax Rate Statement that appears with Measure K reflects the District's best estimates, based on currently available data and projections, of the property tax rates required to service the bonds in (1) the first fiscal year in which the taxes are expected to be levied to pay debt service on the bonds, (2) the first fiscal year following the last expected issuance of bonds; and (3) the fiscal year in which the tax rate is expected to be the highest, all as required by law. The procedures required for the approval and issuance of the general obligation bonds, including the process for submitting Measure K to a vote of the District's electors, are as specified in the Constitution, the Education Code, the Elections Code, and the Government Code of California.
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News and Analysis
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| Arguments For Measure K | Arguments Against Measure K | ||
| Vote YES on K - K is for Kids!
Your YES vote on Measure K will build 7 new schools and complete planning for 5 additional school sites. It will relieve overcrowding and allow the District to return to a traditional 180 day school calendar. Many of our children's schools and classrooms are over 30 years old. Classrooms are overcrowded. Our three high schools were designed for 5400 students - they now hold more than 7500 students. And it's even worse at the elementary schools. We need more schools to reduce overcrowding and improve student performance. Lodi Unified School District is more than 5100 children over capacity right now - by 2010 that number will grow to nearly 9000. Something must be done. Science labs are outdated. Inadequate electrical wiring cannot support modern computer labs. Fire alarms, security fencing and communication systems must be upgraded to protect students from harm. Our children deserve better - our community can do better. Ten community forums were held throughout the District to get input from parents, teachers and concerned citizens. A Facilities Committee was formed to develop a 10-year Master Plan. "No frills" construction methods # "tilt-up" style buildings - using the same plans for different schools - make your tax dollars go as far as possible. Your YES vote on Measure K will qualify the District for up to $77 million dollars in state matching funds - Money that will go to other school districts if Measure K fails. Good schools are an asset to a community. Property values increase. New employers bring jobs to communities with good schools. Many new construction jobs are created. Everybody benefits. A Citizens Oversight Committee made up of business leaders and taxpayers will carefully monitor all spending - your tax dollars will be spent wisely. Vote YES on K - K is for Kids! Submitted by: "Classrooms for Kids"
/s/ Gary Podesto, Mayor, City of Stockton
For more than 100 years the California Constitution protected homeowners from property tax increases to pay for bonds unless there was a 2/3rds vote. The 2/3rds vote is important because those who do not own homes and will pay none of the tax increase can vote to impose higher property taxes on those who do own homes. Although Homeowners continue to need the 2/3rds vote protection, in 2000 a group of billionaires decided it should be easier to increase property taxes on the average homeowner. The billionaires spent over $30,000,000 on a highly deceptive campaign to end this protection. They claimed their Proposition 39 would "strengthen" Proposition 13! Can you imagine? They claimed that eliminating the 2/3rds vote protection for homeowners would actually "strengthen" Prop. 13! The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association fought back fiercely, funded by small donations from average homeowners. Unfortunately for the average homeowner, the billionaires narrowly defeated us. However, local governing boards still have the option of requiring a two-thirds vote, instead of 55%, when they ask for a property tax increase on your home. Several school boards in other jurisdictions have decided to leave the 2/3rds vote homeowner protection in place. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is not opposing these bonds. We believe you should vote NO until your school board gives you the 2/3rds vote protection for your home. Submitted by:
/s/ Jon Coupal, President | This measure is a Proposition 39 Tax Increase. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposes all Proposition 39 Property Tax Increases. For more than 100 years the California constitution required a two-thirds vote of the people to increase your property taxes. That was changed to 55% for certain property tax increases with a $30,000,000 highly deceptive campaign financed by billionaires whose companies pay little or no property taxes. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, by far the largest and most successful organization of ordinary taxpayers in California, fiercely opposed proposition 39. Leading a campaign funded by average homeowners, we fought back. Outspent 10 # 1, we lost in a very close vote. Your local School Board could have put a normal bond proposal on the ballot, which would have required a two-thirds vote. Other school districts with elections on the same day chose a normal bond. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is not opposing any of them. But your School Board chose to try to impose a Proposition 39 Property Tax Increase upon you. If just 55% vote yes it will result in nearly $220 million in new property taxes in your school district, including interest, fees and charges. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association strongly recommends that you vote "No" on this property tax increase.
Submitted by:
/s/ Jon Coupal, President
It established additional safeguards for taxpayers that did not exist under the old 2/3rd vote requirement. · Limits bond measures to $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation · Requires a Citizens Oversight Committee to monitor spending · Requires an annual audit of bond expenditures Consider these important facts: · More neighborhood schools means less bussing. Some children ride the bus for 11/2 hours to reach a school with available classroom space as their neighborhood school is overcrowded. That's wrong · More classrooms will permit a longer school year. Under the present Concept 6 calendar, students actually receive 17 fewer days of classroom instruction. Your YES vote on Measure K will put an end to the Concept 6 calendar and extend the current school year to the full 180 days. · Passing Measure K qualifies Lodi Unified School District for up to $77 million dollars in state school construction funds - money that will go to other school districts if Measure K fails to pass. · Security at existing schools will be modernized. New Fire alarms, communications systems and security fencing to keep kids safe. · By law, bond funds cannot be used for staff or administrative salaries. 5 good reasons to vote YES on Measure K on March 5th · Build neighborhood schools · Reduce bussing · Longer school year · $77 million in State funds · Make schools safer Submitted by: "Classrooms for Kids"
/s/ Gary Podesto, Mayor, City of Stockton |
| Tax Rate Statement from Douglas Barge, Chief Business Officer, Lodi Unified School District |
| An election will be held in the Lodi Unified School District (the "District") on March 5, 2002, to authorize the sale of up to $109,360,000 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 $0.05995 per $100 ($59.95 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2002-03. 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 $0.05994 per $100 ($59.94 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07. 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 $0.06000 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16. Voters should note that these estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property in the District as shown on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone the payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions. 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 estimates are based upon the District's projections and are not binding upon the District. 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. 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: November 30, 2001
/s/ Douglas Barge, Chief Business Officer |
| Full Text of Measure K |
| Upon the passage of Measure K, the Lodi Unified School District shall be authorized to issue $109,360,000 of general obligation bonds, the rate of interest thereon not to exceed the maximum rate allowable by law, for the purposes of planning and constructing up to twelve (12) new schools, adding structures to existing schools, upgrading classrooms, upgrading fire and safety systems, and acquiring, constructing, renovating, and equipping school facilities and grounds.
The bond proceeds shall not be used for teacher and administrator salaries, other school operating expenses, or any purpose other than for sites for new schools, planning, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement, furnishing, or equipping school facilities and grounds. The bond proceeds shall be used on the following list of school facility projects. Completion of all of the listed projects is dependant, in part, upon the availability of state funds.
NEW FACILITIES
Christa Mc Auliffe Middle School
ADDITIONS TO CURRENT FACILITIES
Morada Middle School
RENOVATIONS
Regional Occupation Program Facility at Lincoln School Approval of the District's bond measure does not guarantee that the projects that are the subject of the measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the bond measure. The District's proposed projects may assume the receipt of state funds which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approved at a statewide bond measure. Additionally, the Lodi Unified School District shall establish a Citizen's Oversight Committee (the "Committee") and will appoint the members of the Committee to be made up of a minimum of seven members comprised of at least the following: one member shall be active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District, one member shall be active in a senior citizens' organization, one member shall be the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District, one member shall be both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization. The District shall cause the proceeds of the bonds to be deposited in a separate account. The District shall annually cause to be prepared financial and performance audits related to the expenditure of the bond proceeds to ensure funds have only been expended on the specific projects listed. The District shall also cause an annual report to be prepared by the District's Assistant Superintendent, Facilities and Planning containing a status report of all the authorized projects and containing the amount of funds collected and expended. |
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Created: April 19, 2002 10:59 PDT
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