8,589 / 62.9% Yes votes ...... 5,061 / 37.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Money raised by the sale of the bonds can be used only for the purposes and projects stated in the ballot measure, which is set out in full in the ballot pamphlet. These purposes and projects include, generally, the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities; the construction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities; and the furnishing and equipping of school facilities. Proposed specific projects, listed in Exhibit A to the ballot measure, are too numerous to list in detail in this analysis. These projects include, but are not limited to, remodeling and reconfiguring classrooms and other school space at all elementary schools in the district; upgrading and replacing electrical wiring, and installing wiring for technology; replacing heating and air-conditioning systems with energy-efficient systems; constructing, installing, or upgrading kindergarten playgrounds; constructing, renovating or expanding library facilities; incorporating dedicated computer laboratories into remodeled libraries; replacing portable classrooms with permanent classrooms; constructing covered walkways to connect buildings where feasible; and making other improvements required to comply with existing building codes and laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. As required by state law, the measure prohibits using bond proceeds for school operating expenses or teacher and administrator salaries.

If the measure is adopted, the District will require that annual, independent financial and performance audits be conducted to verify that expenditures are proper and projects are being completed. In addition, a citizens' oversight committee will be established within sixty days of the report of election results to the Board. The proceeds of the bonds will be maintained in a separate account, and the Superintendent of the District shall report to the Board annually on the status of projects undertaken and the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year.

Within limits set by law, the District has the discretion to decide when to sell all or any portion of the bonds. The bonds may be issued and sold in series, at different times, as projects are undertaken. The bonds of any series must mature within 40 years of the date they are issued. The funds to repay the bonds would be raised by an increase in property taxes based on the value of land and improvements in the District. The interest rate on the bonds would depend on the market rate at the time the bonds are sold. The rate cannot exceed the rate set by state law, currently 8 percent. The Tax Rate Statement, prepared by the Superintendent of the District, which estimates the property tax levies required to pay off the bonds, follows this analysis.

STEVEN WOODSIDE, County Counsel
By: s/ Katheen Larocque, Deputy County Counsel

The Press Democrat

• District pushes bond measure - 2/15/04

A Yes vote on Measure D would:

Modernize existing schools including replacing/repairing aging utility systems and antiquated lighting, adding classroom electrical outlets for computers, replacing failing heating systems with energy efficient systems, remodeling heavily used bathroom facilities/fixtures, replacing fire alarm/life safety systems, modernizing interior finishes, and replacing leaking/broken doors/windows as necessary;

Construct modern, full size library and technology centers that are currently squeezed into 960 sq. ft. classrooms never intended for these purposes when built as classrooms in the 1950s/60s;

Construct new clusters of three kindergarten classrooms at most schools incorporating the California Department of Education's recommended safety designs for bathroom and playground use by kindergarteners only; and

Replace some of the school's older, and inconveniently located temporary classrooms, with permanent facilities reflecting the permanent nature of the District's enrollment growth over the last ten years.

Rincon Valley schools have supported the educational needs of the children of the community for over 50 years. Rincon Valley consistently performs at the top of Sonoma County's schools. This long-standing success contributes to the attraction of new homebuyers into the community.

These improvements would bring the quality of Rincon Valley's school facilities up to the standard of our neighboring school districts--each of which received support from the community for a bond in recent years.

If approved, the estimated Rincon Valley General Obligation Bond tax would be among the lowest in the Santa Rosa area.

Please Vote Yes on Measure D.

s/ Donald Myers
Grandfather--Oakmont Resident

s/ Brad Mohar
Local Business Owner

s/ Michael A. Kasper
CEO/President United Way

s/ Nancy M. Hansen
Retired Board Member

s/ Colette M. Haldi
President Teacher's Association

SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION

s/Spencer Flournoy, President
s/John B. Landis, Vice President
s/Jack Atkin, Treasurer
s/Jeanne I. Levin, Board Member
s/Fred H. Levin, Executive Director

The Rincon Valley schools pride themselves on a tradition of excellence in education. The District's commitment to teaching basic skills in reading and mathematics has provided a strong academic foundation for our students. The time has come to provide teachers and students with a high-quality learning environment that will support this mission.

Our schools have insufficient lighting, heating, internet wiring, and 40-50 year old classroom interiors that are worn and inadequate. Minimal numbers of electrical outlets limit opportunities for improved instruction and learning. Inadequate, aging sewer and utility connections require increased maintenance costs. The small, improvised libraries and computer labs offer a daily challenge to the instructional process and cannot continue to serve a growing enrollment of students.

Measure D addresses these needs while fully complying with both Proposition 13 and Proposition 39--including citizen oversight of bond expenditures.

We ask you to consider the importance of improving the school facilities in our community for an average cost to homeowners of $64.32 annually. We urge a Yes vote for one of the lowest school taxes in the area to protect the community's school assets for children today and in the future.

RINCON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
s/Chris Rafanelli, Board Member

s/ Jim Provost
Local Business Owner

s/ John McDonald, Member
Sonoma County Taxpayers Association

s/ Patricia L. O'Leary, Principal
Whited Elementary

s/ Mary Lee Jones, S.R. Chamber of Commerce
Elementary Teacher of the Year

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 the filing of this statement, is 2.49 cents per $100 ($24.90 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2004-05.
2. 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 last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, is 2.49 cents per $100 ($24.90 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07.
3. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, is 2.49 cents per $100 ($24.90 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2004-05. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year that the bonds are outstanding.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on 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.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. 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 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 equalization process.

Dated: Nov. 18, 2003

s/Tim Justus
Superintendent
Rincon Valley Union Elementary School District

Approval of Measure D does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Rincon Valley Union Elementary 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 project assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.