Pass: 918 / 70.1% Yes votes ...... 391 / 29.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The Board of Trustees of the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District has proposed this measure which would authorize the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $15 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum.

Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3)(B) of the California Constitution requires that the District list the specific school facilities projects to be funded from the bond revenue and certify that the Board has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in the development of that list. The District's "Bond Project List" for the proposed bond is attached to the full text of the measure and can be generally described as follows. At the La Honda and Pescadero Elementary schools: repair and renovate the existing facilities; make safety and accessibility improvements; remove hazardous materials; improve energy use efficiency; upgrade classrooms; relocate the middle school; and lease portable buildings. At the high school, make repairs and renovations to the electrical systems, bathrooms and plumbing; remove hazardous materials, upgrade classrooms and the science lab; construct access to the campus; construct new high school and continuation high school. In addition, relocate district office and central kitchen and furnish and equip the new and remodeled buildings.

The measure requires the District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the sale of the bonds as set forth in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution and Education Code sections 15272 et seq. The District must appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on the listed school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $15 million for projects including: At the La Honda and Pescadero Elementary schools: repair and renovate the existing facilities; make safety and accessibility improvements; remove hazardous materials; improve energy use efficiency; upgrade classrooms; relocate the middle school and lease portable buildings. At the high school, make repairs and renovations to the electrical systems, bathrooms and plumbing; remove hazardous materials, upgrade classrooms and the science lab; construct access to the campus; construct new high school and continuation high school. In addition, relocate district office and central kitchen and furnish and equip the new and remodeled buildings.

A "no" vote would preclude La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District from issuing bonds of up to $15 million.

This measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

Half Moon Bay Review

• School district puts bond measure before voters - 11/01/2006

• La Honda Pescadero School District Bond

In Favor of Measure I: Measure "I" - LHPUSD Safe Schools Bond Measure

It's time for this community to come together to repair and rebuild our school facilities. A recent architectural assessment of our school facilities, which are all over 40 years old, shows that they are in "deteriorating condition" and have many problems associated with old age. There is a critical need to modernize the schools and replace old, temporary buildings with new facilities. Major work is needed to upgrade fire safety systems, replace old bathrooms, repair plumbing, heating and electrical systems; remove asbestos, dry rot, mold, other hazardous materials; repair leaky roofs; provide safe access; and improve earthquake safety. The District continues to seek all available outside sources of funding. Last year, the voters of this community generously passed a parcel tax, which, by law, cannot be used for buildings or repairs. To pay for upgrading the schools we need voter approval of this bond measure.

Passing this measure will qualify the district for millions in state matching funds that would otherwise go to other school districts. Bond expenditures will have independent oversight and will be spent only on projects listed in your election material. Funds cannot be used for administrators' salaries.

By supporting this bond, the community will be able to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our children, and prepare them for 21st century opportunities.

INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY + INVEST IN OUR KIDS

VOTE YES ON MEASURE I

/s/ Mark G. Graff August 18, 2006 President, Board of Trustees

/s/ Jessica M. Abbe August 18, 2006 Trustee, LHPUSD

/s/ Catherine M. Peery August 18, 2006 Chair, Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council

/s/ M. Socorro Brown August 18, 2006 CSEA Local Chapter #387 President

/s/ Maile A. Springer August 18, 2006 PTA President

1. The best estimate of the tax rate which 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation for the year 2007-08.

2. The best estimate 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 bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation for the year 2012-13.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $60 per $100,000. The foregoing is based upon projections and estimates that are not binding upon the District. The actual timing of bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District, the then applicable debt limit, the state of the bond market and other factors. Actual interest rates on any bonds sold will depend upon market conditions, whether the bonds are rated and insured, and other factors at the time of sale. The actual assessed values during future years will depend upon the then amount of taxable property within the District and the value of that property as determined in the assessment and equalization process.

Therefore, actual tax rates and years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those currently estimated.

/s/ Timothy A. Beard August 9, 2006

FINDINGS The La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District (the "District"), which serves the communities of La Honda, Loma Mar and Pescadero and portions of unincorporated San Mateo County, provides quality education to San Mateo County students.

As a result of the visionary initiatives from the Board of Trustees (the "Board") and the Superintendent, as well as from staff members, parents, and members of the communities, the District has been able to weather tough financial times and continue to provide a quality education for its students. During this recent history, the District has benefited from a community that supports its educational institutions by providing financial and human resources.

In order to maintain the quality of education and maintain the high standards of the District, it is necessary to construct a new high school and improve existing schools that will remain functional for future generations.

The Board has prepared a facilities plan that requires the construction of a new high school. The facilities plan also calls for maintaining and upgrading of existing facilities. These needs are more than the District is able to fund from currently available sources or annual revenues.

The District has sought, and continues to seek, all available outside sources of funding to improve our school buildings, including local, state, and federal grants and state bond funds. It is necessary to seek voter approval of a bond measure in order to provide the local funding for identified school facility repairs and modernization projects.

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $15,000,000 in principal at interest rates below the legal limit, to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below.

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.

Approval of this Bond Measure (the "Measure") does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under the Measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the Measure. If state matching funds become available, they will be used for and applied to the Bond Project List as per Exhibit A. The District's proposal for the project or projects assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the District all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3), of the State Constitution and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at Education Code Sections 15264 and following.)

Evaluation of Needs. The Board, after a year long process involving staff members, parents, and community members at each school site throughout the District, has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the District. The Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board shall establish an Independent Citizens'Oversight Committee pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on 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. Performance Audits. The Board 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.

Financial Audits. The Board 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 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 of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board annually, 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 in the annual budget, audit, or another appropriate routine report to the Board.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities including the furnishing and equiping of school facilities or acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities and construction management by district personnel. No administrator salaries, teacher salaries or other school operating expenses will be paid with bond funds.

The proceeds of the bonds will be deposited into a Building Fund to be held by the San Mateo County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code.

SAFE LOCAL SCHOOLS BOND PROJECT LIST

• Repair and renovate La Honda Elementary School, originally built in 1960, for urgent health, safety and access improvements, removal of hazardous materials, efficient energy use, and upgraded classrooms. To prevent catastrophic fire at this site where no water is readily available for firefighting, install adequate water storage system, modern fire alarms and other fire abatement measures. Replace faulty and antiquated electrical system. Modernize bathrooms. Install welldesigned foot traffic pathways, outdoor lighting, improved curbside access, and adequate drainage to prevent flooding.

• Demolish and replace the old classroom buildings at Pescadero Elementary School, built in 1949 and 1961, with new construction that conforms to codes for health, safety and access, and is seismically adequate and elevated to withstand floods. Replace decrepit bathrooms.

• Relocate the district middle school, which currently shares a campus with Pescadero Elementary School and is housed in dilapidated portables that are inadequate educationally, structurally and in terms of health and safety. Temporarily locate the students in leased portable buildings.

• Renovate and repair the high school, originally built in 1960. Replace critical and obsolete main electrical panel and transformer to avoid blackout and system failure. Replace decrepit, non-functional locker rooms and bathrooms. Replace old pumping and storage system for water. Renovate for urgent health, safety and access improvements, removal of hazardous materials, efficient energy use, and upgraded classrooms. Update science lab. Construct redesigned access to campus for vehicle and bike parking, safe drop-off and pickup, and pedestrian walkways.

• House the middle school in the renovated high school building.

• Design and construct a new district high school and continuation high school.

• Retire or demolish obsolete portable buildings.

• Relocate the district office and central kitchen.

• Furnish and equip new and remodeled buildings.