This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sd/ for current information. |
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Proposition O $644 Million School Bond Measure Sweetwater Union High School District School Bond - 55% Approval Required
See Also:
Index of all Propositions |
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Results as of Jan 4 9:40am |
Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | | |||||
School Classroom, Safety and Repair Measure. To improve learning/safety at every Sweetwater Union High School District campus by repairing/earthquake retrofitting classrooms/restrooms; installing upgraded fire safety systems, security fencing, safety lighting; upgrading science labs/computer technology; improving handicap accessibility; replacing leaky roofs, heating/air conditioning, outdated plumbing; removing asbestos, mold, and lead paint; shall the District issue $644 million in bonds, at legal interest rates, with citizens' oversight, independent annual audits and no money for administrators' salaries?
Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition may be used by the School District only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of its school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of its school facilities, acquisition, or lease of real property for its school facilities and construction management by School District personnel. The interest rate on any bond, which is established at the time of bond issuance, cannot exceed 12% per annum. The final maturity date of any bond could be no later than 25 years after the date of bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code or not later than 40 years after the date of bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the School District in an amount sufficient to pay the interest as it becomes due and to provide a fund for payment of the principal on or before maturity. Article XIII A of the California Constitution exempts from the one percent property tax rate limitation ad valorem taxes to pay the interest and redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or improvement of real property, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, when approved by 55% of the voters if: (a) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds are used only for the purposes specified, (b) the School District, by evaluating safety, class size reduction, and information technology, has approved a list of specific projects to be funded, (c) the School District will conduct an annual, independent performance audit, and (d) the School District will conduct an annual, independent financial audit. If a bond measure is approved by 55% of the voters, state law requires the governing board of the District to establish an independent citizens' oversight committee. The School District has made this ballot proposition subject to these requirements. Approval of this proposition does not guarantee that the proposed projects in the School District that are the subject of these bonds will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this proposition.
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Official Information
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Arguments For Proposition O | Arguments Against Proposition O | ||
Sweetwater Union High School District is recognized as one of California's best-managed. By completing previous school construction projects ahead of schedule and under budget, saving local taxpayers $72 million, Sweetwater was recently recognized by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association for exemplary fiscal responsibility. Proposition BB, overwhelmingly supported by local residents in 2000, provided critically needed repairs, renovated existing schools and constructed new classrooms. Proposition O is now needed to complete the job of repairing and improving our schools ensuring all Sweetwater students attend safe, secure schools that fully support their educational needs. Too many of our students still attend school in classrooms and labs that lack computers and upto- date technology. Decades old restrooms, deteriorating plumbing, inefficient heating, ventilation and other building systems need to be repaired or completely replaced. Proposition O funds will be used to upgrade fire safety systems, remove asbestos and other health hazards, improve handicap accessibility and complete earthquake retrofitting. Proposition O will upgrade vocational classrooms, giving students the opportunity to learn valuable job and technical skills preparing them for success in the workforce. All schools and students in the Sweetwater District will benefit from Proposition O. Proposition O will:
Quality school facilities help retain and attract qualified teachers. Good schools maintain local quality of life and strong values. We respectfully urge your support and YES vote for Proposition O.
GREGORY R. COX
BONNEY T. WIKKERING |
If you think that your taxes are already too high, or just feel that taxes are high enough, you should vote NO. Please vote NO! on O.
For more information, contact Bonney Wikkering
BONNEY T. WIKKERING
Neighborhood middle and high schools are well maintained. All have benefited from improvements through judicious use of local resources/state money when available. However, most of our schools are old. The undisputed need for significant renovation is critical to ensure safe, modern schools for local students.
Proposition O is the only way to ensure students throughout our communities have
access to:
Proposition O has broad-based, community support. Good schools are essential to maintain local property values and quality of life for local residents. As Sweetwater residents, we strongly urge your YES vote on Proposition O.
GREGORY R. COX |
Tax Rate Statement from the District Superintendent |
As shown on the [] official ballot, an election is being held in the Sweetwater Union
High School District ("District") on November 7, 2006, for the purpose of submitting to the
registered voters within the District the question of whether the District shall issue and sell bonds
in an amount not to exceed $644,000,000 for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition,
construction and upgrading of school classrooms and school building projects as set forth in the
resolution of the District calling such bond election. This measure will authorize a tax sufficient for
interest on, and redemption of, the bonds. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate, or rates to be
established at such time as the bonds are sold, in one or more series, at fixed or variable interest
rates not to exceed the maximum applicable statutory rate for such bonds. If such bonds are
authorized and sold, the principal thereof and the interest thereon are a general obligation of the
District, payable from the proceeds of ad valorem taxes on real property located within the
District. The following information is submitted in compliance with California Elections Code
Sections 9401 through 9404.
(a) The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the first sale of the bonds based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors is $0.027 per $100 ($27.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. (b) It is anticipated that the bonds will be sold in series. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds is $0.027 per $100 ($27.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. (c) The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the term of the bond issue, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors, is $0.027 per $100 ($27.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. It is estimated that the highest tax rate would apply in the 2018-2019 tax year based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors. Voters should note that these estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property within the District as shown on the official rolls of San Diego County, not on the property's market value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone the payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions. Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that 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 any bond sales, the amount of bonds sold, 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 future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the San Diego County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process. Dated: July 25, 2006
Julian T. Lopez, Ph.D. |