11,311 / 78.0% Yes votes ...... 3,188 / 22.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote is in favor of authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote is against authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

This ballot measure would authorize bonded indebtedness not to exceed forty-million-five-hundred-thousand dollars ($40,500,000) with interest not to exceed the maximum legal rate. In exchange for money received from a holder of the bonds, the District will promise to pay to the holder interest for a certain period of time and to repay the loan on the expiration date. Bonds will have a maturity date (the date the District has to pay back the money it borrowed) either not to exceed twenty-five years or not to exceed forty years.

The money raised would be used for building a new elementary school and a new junior high school, improvements to schools and related facilities, student safety upgrades, computer technology improvements, and other projects. The specific projects are set forth in the Bond Project List attached to the Board of Trustees' resolution. The Board of Trustees evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List. The money raised would only be used for the listed projects.

The ballot measure also calls for the establishment of an independent citizens' oversight committee to ensure that the money raised is expended only on the listed projects. In addition, the Board of Trustees will be required to conduct an annual independent performance audit to ensure that the funds are expended only on the listed projects, and to conduct an annual independent financial audit of the money raised until the bond proceeds have been spent on the listed projects.

To pass, 55% of those voting on the measure must approve the measure.

A "yes" vote is in favor of authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

A "no" vote is against authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

Passage of Measure E will provide needed funds for the school district to create additional classrooms to adequately serve the needs of all the elementary and junior high school students currently living in the district.

A Yes Vote on Measure E will:

o Build a new elementary school.

o Build a new junior high school.

All of the funds from Measure E will be used for specific school projects in Pittsburg. None of the funds from Measure E can be used for administrator or teacher salaries. By law, an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee will monitor the way all school bond funds are spent.

The District has also aggressively pursued and will continue to seek all available State school construction funds to continue the renovation and modernization of all district schools.

As long time members of the Pittsburg community, we are proud of our schools. We take great pride in the successes of Pittsburg High School and we involve ourselves in the activities of the elementary and junior high schools in the district. We support the teachers, principals and staffs at our schools as they meet new challenges in the classroom every day. Passage of Measure E will provide our students with the classroom space they deserve.

Measure E is the only local school bond on the ballot. Please remember to vote for this important local school measure and ensure our students in Pittsburg have safe and adequate classrooms. Please join us and Vote Yes on Measure E.

Rose Mary Tumbaga, Planning Commission

Peter Garcia, President, Los Medanos College

Orin T. Allen, Youth Advocate

Mary Erbez, Retired Pittsburg Elected Official

Chris Lanzafame, Retail Business Owner

1. 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 first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is
4.10 cents per $100 ($41.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the 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
4.10 cents per $100 ($41.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2008-09.

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 4.10 cents per $100 ($41.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.

The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year. Voters should note that estimated tax rate is 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.

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 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: 7-16, 2004 Reed McLaughlin Superintendent Pittsburg Unified School District

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers of the Pittsburg Unified School District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Pittsburg Unified School 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 section 15264 et seq. of the California Education Code).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Trustees has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the Pittsburg Unified School District, and to determine 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 and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (section 15278 et seq. of the California Education Code), to ensure bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees.

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 Exhibit A. Annual 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 in Exhibit A.

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 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 shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2005, 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 the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the Pittsburg Unified School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the Bonds. Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore the Board of Trustees cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, 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.

Single Purpose. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to section 15100 of the California Education Code, and all the enumerated purposes shall constitute the specific single purpose of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purpose, pursuant to section 53410 of the California Government Code.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, and that interest will be made payable at the time or times permitted by law. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature more than 25 years (if issued pursuant to the provisions of the California Education Code) or 40 years (if issued pursuant to the provisions of the California Government Code) from the date borne by that bond.

EXHIBIT A PITTSBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 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 Pittsburg Unified School District will use bond funds to build a new Elementary School and a new Junior High School, including furniture and equipment, to alleviate overcrowding at the existing campuses.

With the remaining funds available from the Bonds, all of the schools in the Pittsburg Unified School District will receive improvements. The District will pursue additional State Bond matching funds based on eligibility and availability. The following is a list of facilities in the Pittsburg Unified School District:

Foothill Elementary, Heights Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Los Medanos Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, Parkside Elementary, Stoneman Elementary, Willow Cove Elementary, Central Junior High School, Hillview Junior High School, Pittsburg High, Riverside Continuation High School, Adult School, Administration Building, and Maintenance Building.

Bond funds will be used in combination with any other received State matching funds. The Pittsburg Unified School District will use bond funds for the following school facility improvement projects:

New School Construction

o Build a new elementary school

o Build a new Junior High School

Improvements to Schools and related facilities Based on the various needs of the facilities in the District, improvements will be made to:

o Finish repairing and replacing aging roofs

o Replace aging plumbing and renovate restrooms

o Make schools accessible to all students and compliant with the American with Disabilities Act

o Remove asbestos and other hazardous materials

o Comply with existing seismic and building codes

Student Safety Upgrades: Based on the various needs of the facilities in the District, improvements will be made to the sites to improve student safety. Based on availability, bonds funds may be used to make general site improvements, including lighting, fire alarms, and school telephone and communication systems.

Improve computer technology: All schools will receive computer systems upgrades and improvements, including electrical systems, infrastructure and network improvements.

Other projects: Modernize the Creative Arts Building at Pittsburg High School to serve the needs of students from all schools in the District and to serve community needs.

Approval of Measure E does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Pittsburg Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure E will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure E. The School District's proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.