Fail: 586 / 53.2% Yes votes ...... 514 / 46.7% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The proceeds of the bonds would be used for the purpose of providing funds to construct and improve school facilities, improve health and safety and improve handicapped access as required by law, and provide student access to computers and modern technology. The measure requires the appointment of a citizens oversight committee and independent auditor to guarantee funds are spent only on school improvements, not district salaries or administration.

At the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the District, all or any part of the bonds could be sold. No bond sale, however, could be made that would cause the total outstanding bonded indebtedness of the District to exceed 1.25 percent of the taxable property of the District as shown by the last equalized assessment of El Dorado County as modified pursuant to Education Code Section 15102, unless this limit is waived pursuant to Education Code Section 33050. The final maturity date of any series of bonds could not exceed the statutory limit after the date of the series. The interest rate that the bonds would bear could not exceed the statutory limit per annum.

Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the District. The Tax Rate Statement of the District presents the District's best estimates of the property tax rates required to be levied to pay debt service on the bonds. The estimates are based on certain assumptions described in the Statement.

The procedures followed for the proposed issuance of these general obligation bonds, including the election process for electorate approval thereof, are as specified in the Constitution, the Education Code, the Government Code and the Elections Code of the State of California.

The conduct of this general obligation bond election and the issuance of the bonds will be in conformance with existing laws of the State of California and will not otherwise affect existing law.

This analysis is submitted by the Office of the County Counsel of El Dorado County, pursuant to the requirements of Section 9500 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

s/ Louis B. Green, County Counsel

Latrobe School District

• Official website

• District and School profile - includes test results

Over the years, the District has been able to aggressively pursue State funds to construct the core facilities at Miller's Hill School and to complete some modernization projects at Latrobe School. While some of our classrooms and facilities have been modernized, there is still a need for basic school facilities and major upgrades and improvements.

MEASURE "U" WILL IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS. IT WILL:

• Construct a cafeteria/multi-purpose room at Latrobe Elementary so students won't be required to eat lunch outside in inclement weather and provide a facility for indoor exercise and assemblies

• Improve K-3 student access to computers and modern technology

• Upgrade fields and playgrounds for student and community use

• Make health and safety improvements including improving handicapped access as required by law

• Be used only to improve classrooms and school facilities - not to pay teacher/administrator salaries

• Make improvements and repairs now instead of later when they will cost more

• Improve property values for our community and homes

• Establish a citizens' oversight committee to protect taxpayer funds

• Require annual independent audits on all Measure "U" expenditures

Support our local schools. Vote YES...We Need "U"!

s/ James Bales
President, Latrobe School District Board of Trustees

s/ Max D. Wimmer
President, Latrobe School Site Council

s/ Marc Murray
Ponderosa Little League + Board Member

s/ G. Arthur Cort
Cosumnes Lodge #63, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Latrobe

s/ John Haverty
President, Latrobe Fire Protection District Board

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 2.5 cents per $100 ($25.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07.

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 filing of this statement, is 2.5 cents per $100 ($25.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-12.

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 2.5 cents per $100 ($25.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are 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 the 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.

s/ Jean Pinotti, Superintendent/Principal, Latrobe School District

"To improve the quality of education, shall the Latrobe School District be authorized to upgrade Latrobe and Miller's Hill Schools by improving health, safety and handicapped access as required by law, provide student access to computers and modern technology, improve playfields for student and community use and provide a cafeteria/multipurpose room at Latrobe School, by issuing $4,300,000 in bonds, within legal limits, with a citizens' oversight committee, audits, and NO money for administrator salaries?

The bond proceeds shall only be used for acquiring, constructing, renovating, furnishing, and equipping school facilities and grounds and the acquisition of equipment for use in these facilities. Bond proceeds will not be used for teacher and administrator salaries, other school operating expenses, or any other purpose.

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 approval of a statewide bond measure.

Additionally, the District Board of Trustees will appoint a citizen's oversight committee (the "Committee") having a minimum of seven members and including at least one member active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District, one member active in a senior citizens' organization, one member active in a bona fide taxpayers' organization, one member the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District, and one member both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization.

The District will deposit the proceeds of the bonds in a separate account. The District will have financial and performance audits performed annually to account for the bond funds and to assure that funds have only been expended on the specific projects authorized.