League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Measure J Bond Pittsburg Unified School District 55% Approval Required
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Pass:
7,288 /
74.12% Yes votes ......
2,545 /
25.88% No votes
| Results as of Dec 4 7:35am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (35/35) |
| Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | | |||||
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To build new classrooms at Pittsburg high schools, emphasize science, technology, and vocational rooms, separate ninth and tenth grade classrooms and facilities, upgrade cafeteria and library, renovate restrooms, and upgrade electrical and plumbing systems, shall Pittsburg Unified School District be authorized to repair, replace, construct and renovate school facilities and equipment and issue $85,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates with no funds for administrator salaries and an independent oversight committee to monitor all bond expenditures?
This ballot measure would authorize bonded indebtedness not to exceed eighty-five million dollars ($85,000,000) 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). The ballot measure states that the money raised would be used to "build new classrooms at Pittsburg high schools, emphasize science, technology, and vocational rooms, separate ninth and tenth grade classrooms and facilities, upgrade cafeteria and library, renovate restrooms, and upgrade electrical and plumbing systems." The specific projects are set forth in the Bond Project List attached to the resolution of the Board of Trustees. 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 and not for any other purpose, such as teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. The ballot measure states that certain construction funds for the listed projects are expected from non-bond sources, including state grant funds. 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 it has 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.
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News and Analysis Contra Costa Times
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| Arguments For Measure J |
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Pittsburg High School is serving more students today than it was
designed to serve. High school classrooms and facilities are outdated
and need to be upgraded to meet the needs of the changing demands of
the community it serves. Most buildings at Pittsburg High were
constructed between 50 to 80 years ago and must be updated to
improve the educational opportunities for all students.
A Yes vote on Measure J will:
All of the funds from Measure J will be used for specific school projects in Pittsburg. None of the funds from Measure J can be used for administrator or teacher salaries. Measure J 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. Quality schools protect and enhance our property values, and support our students. Good schools make great communities. Please join us and Vote Yes on Measure J.
Orin T. Allen Sr.
Mary Erbez
Peter Garcia
Chris Lanzafame
Jess C. Leber
(No arguments against Measure J were submitted) |
| Tax Rate Statement from the School District Superintendent |
| An election will be held in the Pittsburg Unified School District
(the "District") on November 7, 2006, to authorize the sale of up to
$85,000,000 in bonds of the District to improve the quality of education by
modernizing and improving aging local schools, including technology and
safety upgrades and other improvements; constructing, acquiring,
expanding, converting, remodeling, replacing, furnishing and equipping
school facilities; and help qualify for State matching funds, as described
in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell
the bonds in one or more series. Principal and interest on the bonds will
be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable
property in the District. The information provided in paragraphs 1-3 below
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 6.0 cents per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2007-08. 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 6.0 cents per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14. 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 6.0 cents per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14. 4. The best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the life of the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 6.0 cents per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. 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: August 9, 2006.
Reed McLaughlin |
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Created: January 4, 2007 09:31 PST
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