4,446 / 72.9% Yes votes ...... 1,654 / 27.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

An election will be held in the Live Oak School District of Santa Cruz County on March 2, 2004, to authorize the sale of $14,500,000 in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9401 and 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 2.221 cents per $100 ($22.21 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2004-05.

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 2.997 cents per $100 ($29.97 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17.

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 2.965 cents per $100 ($29.65 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2014-15.

4. Based on the District's estimate of when bonds will be sold, the interest rates prevailing at the time of such bond sales, and the projected growth in assessed valuation, the best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to fund this bond issue is
2.408 cents per $100 ($24.08 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

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 governed 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.

Dated: December 2, 2003
s/ Steven D. Herrington, Ph.D. Superintendent Live Oak School District

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote on Measure E is a vote to authorize the general obligation bonds to be issued and financed by ad valorem taxes levied annually on real property in the Live Oak School District.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote on Measure E is a vote against issuing the proposed general obligation bonds.

To ensure that the bond monies are expended for the approved purposes, the Board of Trustees of the Live Oak School District will cause annual, independent performance and financial audits to be conducted, and it also will cause the appointment of a citizens' oversight committee.

The interest paid on the bonds cannot exceed a rate set by State law, and their term to maturity will also be limited by State law. Payment of interest on the bonds (and principal, when applicable) would be financed by a tax levied on real property within the District.

The Tax Rate Statement for Measure E which is printed in this ballot pamphlet provides information about that tax, as required by law. The precise effect of the bonds upon the property tax rate within the District would only be determined after sale of the bonds.

Santa Cruz Sentinel

• Live Oak, Summit voters weigh school finance measures 2/15/04

Measure E funds will:

• Replace fire alarms and communication systems to improve school safety.
• Upgrade restrooms to meet current health and safety standards.
• Improve access for the disabled at all schools.
• Upgrade and replace aging heating, plumbing and ventilation systems to improve energy efficiency.
• Repair and replace 30 year old roofs.
• Provide adequate classrooms for all of the District's schools including the charter high school.
• Upgrade computer labs and increase the use of classroom technology.

If the District buys this land, the Senior Center will remain open. In addition, this purchase will provide additional parking space for Live Oak Elementary School.

If Measure E is approved, the District will qualify for an additional $3 million in matching state bond funds.

Measure E also provides strict accountability for how these funds are used. This bond money cannot be used for administrative or teacher salaries. An independent oversight committee will ensure that bond funds are spent responsibly and according to the construction plan.

Please join us and vote Yes on Measure E.
s/ Bruce McPherson, State Senator
s/ John Laird, State Assembly Member

Live Oak Elena Baskin Senior Center
s/ Edie Rittenhouse, Chairperson
s/ Jack O'Neill, President, O'Neill Inc.

Live Oak Community Alliance
s/ George Newell, President

For once we would like to see a bond measure based on plans and bids. For example:

Upgrade Restrooms, $250,000. New Computers, $125,000, etc, etc. Total, $14,500,000 (Plans, Specifications, and Bids Available at School District Office)

Not the predictable, proverbial tattered, dog eared, generic list of projects.

Next, WHERE ARE MATCHING STATE BOND FUNDS COMING FROM? THE STATE IS BROKE AND IN DEBT. Right SENATOR MCPHERSON and ASSEMBLYMEMBER LAIRD?

Finally, WHEN HAS FUNDING OF SENIOR PROGRAMS BECOME THE PURVIEW OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT? Much of the argument in favor of Measure E, encourages taxpayers to vote for Measure E so that the school district can buy the property that now houses the Senior Center.

Based on this logic, the argument in favor of Measure E could just as easily read: Measure E funds will also be used to make sure that the Dominican Hospital Emergency room is able to continue to serve our community Allowing the emergency room to close, would be a loss to the entire community.. If the District passes this bond, the emergency room will remain open In addition, this purchase will provide additional parking space for Live Oak Elementary School District.

APPROPRIATING MONEY TO PUBLIC ENTITIES TO SPEND OUTSIDE THEIR PURVIEW OPENS A PANDORAH'S BOX FOR IRRESPONSIBLE PUBLIC SPENDING. DON'T PERPETUATE IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING BY REWARDING IT.

ON MARCH 2, 2004, VOTE NO ON MEASURE E.

Taxpayers Against Measure E
s/ Vernon C. Bohr Jr., Chairman
s/ Carolyn M. Busenhart, Treasurer

Hmmm, let's see, if we calculate this right, the average median priced home owner could add around $150.00 per year to their tax bill in one fell swoop by voting yes on both these measures.

And for what? To get matching funds from a state that already claims a financial crisis? To SUBSIDIZE the SENIOR ADULT EDUCATION CENTER?

We think it important to emphasize that this measure is an attempt to get state matching funds. Since the state is broke, what happens if those funds are not available? Will the school district find themselves engaged in projects they are unable to finish, thus costing local taxpayers even more money to bail them out. And there again, it is not an elementary school districts function to subsidize the Senior Adult Education Center.

We've often been accused of never finding tax that we liked. More accurately, we've never seen a tax that was responsibly drafted or based on an honest request for the body begging the taxpayer for money. This has only gotten worse since a 55% vote approval is necessary to pass bond measures, and it will only continue to get worse if we continue to pass them.

ON MARCH 2, 2004 VOTE NO ON MEASURE E

Taxpayers Against Measure E
s/ Vernon C Bohr Jr., Chairman
s/ Carolyn M. Busenhart, Treasurer

Our Yes votes on Measure E are an investment in quality education for the students of our community.

Don't be misled by math designed to confuse you. The Live Oak School District proposal will only cost $25 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value).

Measure E provides funds to improve classrooms, replace fire alarms and communication systems to improve school safety, upgrade student restrooms and improve access for the disabled. We have an opportunity to save the Live Oak Senior Education Center, our partner since 1974, and we are going to act on it.

The Live Oak School District has a history of fiscal responsibility. All school construction projects started in the last 50 years have been efficiently completed.

Measure E will also bring more of your taxpayer dollars home from Sacramento.

We ask you to vote Yes on Measure E. In return, we guarantee no funds will go to administrators or teacher salaries and an independent oversight committee will ensure that bond funds are spent responsibly.

Join us, the residents, voters and taxpayers of the Live Oak School District and Vote Yes on Measure E.

Committee to Support Live Oak Schools
s/ Thomas Starkey, Parent and Chairman
s/ Jack Baskin, UCSC School of Engineering

Live Oak Elena Baskin Senior Education Center
s/ Margaret E. Webb, Board Member
s/ Toby Goddard, Parent and Water Conservation Manager

Committee to Support Live Oak Schools
s/ Ann Ostermann, Parent and Member

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $14,500,000 in aggregated principal at interest rates within the legal limit and to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List described below, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below.

ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely. Expenditures to address specific facilities needs of the District will be in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, 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 has identified detailed facilities needs of the District and has determined which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, instructional programs, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List shown below.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee under Education Code Section 15278 and following to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. The committee will be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees.

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 below.

Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed below.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or 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.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List shown below is a part of the ballot proposition and must be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Live Oak School District will use bond funds for the following school facility projects:

Live Oak Elementary School Projects

• Construct a New Joint-Use Multipurpose Room with kitchen and two classrooms;
• Repair / Replace / Upgrade:
• Wiring / Electrical Systems and Related Equipment
• Fire Alarms and Communication Systems
• 30-year old roofs
• 40-year old plumbing
• Classroom facilities
• Furniture
• Restrooms
• Asphalt areas
• Computer labs and technology
• Heating and Ventilation Systems
• Drop-Off and Parking Areas
• Implement Energy Conservation Systems
• Ensure Facilities Code Compliance; including Disabled Access
• Expand Parking and Secure Auxiliary Space (Live Oak Senior Adult Education Center)
• Modernization of five classrooms, main office and two restrooms Green Acres Elementary School Projects
• Construct New Joint-Use Multipurpose Room with a gym and two classrooms
• Construct and Relocate new Maintenance / Transportation facilities
• Repair / Replace / Upgrade:
• Asphalt areas
• Outside Lighting Systems
• Furniture and Equipment
• Computer labs and technology
• Drop-Off and Parking Areas
• Major structural modifications to seven classrooms, staff room and office;

• Modernize gym, library, and one classroom;
• Develop Computer Center
• Relocate District On-Site Security Housing
• Repair / Replace / Upgrade:
• Communication Systems
• Auxiliary Parking Areas
• Computer labs and technology
• Furniture and Equipment

• Replace / Upgrade Furniture and Equipment
• Upgrade Computer Labs and technology
• Major Repairs, including water-proofing and painting roofs and walls;

• Provide portable facilities for Tierra Pacifica K-8 Charter School
• Provide asphalt and parking as needed
• Upgrade Computer Labs and technology
• Construct four modular buildings for Cypress Charter High School

• Replace and Upgrade Computer Technology equipment:
• Upgrade and standardize district computers and technology
• Purchase and/or upgrade computer technology
• Standardize hardware and software systems
• Training and support
• Provide additional child-care preschool facilities
• Purchase Live Oak Senior Adult Education Center to expand District educational facilities and parking for Live Oak Elementary School