This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/fr/ for current information. |
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Measure B Bond Central Unified School District Needs 55% to pass Pass: 12065 / 63.40% Yes votes ...... 6965 / 36.60% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text | ||||
To replace outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to improve energy efficiency; upgrade classroom computers and technology; replace again portables; renovate restrooms; improve student safety and school security; acquire property; buildclassrooms and schools to reduce overcrowding; and qualify the District to receive and estimated $75,000,000 in State matching funds, shall the Central Unified School District issue $152,000,000 in bonds at lowest possible interest rates with annual audits, independent citizens' oversight, and no money for administrators' salaries.
s/ Janelle E. Kelley
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Arguments For Measure B | Arguments Against Measure B | ||
Our schools are the most important assets in our community and should be our number one priority. From higher achieving students to greater safety to improved property values, quality schools make a difference. While our teachers and staff do their best in educating our students, many classrooms and school facilities in the Central Unified School District are severely overcrowded, outdated, and inadequate to provide students with the education they need to succeed.
While facilities have been improved and maintained over the years, new schools must be built to relieve student overcrowding and many classrooms and facilities need major upgrades and improvements so they can reflect today's safety, technological, and educational standards. Your YES vote on Measure B will create a lasting, positive impact on the quality of our schools, neighborhoods and values of our homes. Measure B will improve classrooms and school facilities throughout the District by:
s/ Curtis Rindlisbacher
s/ Blong Xiong
s/ Randy Rocca
s/ Julia Shields
s/ Cherie Smith
Why are we concerned?
We support our schools and teachers, but we need responsibility in our district. VOTE NO on Measure B. s/ Randy Cervelli s/ Dean Foglio s/ Elaine Long s/ Keith Koligian | In the June primary election, Central Unified School District voters rejected and defeated Bond Measure E, a $152 million proposal that would've been paid off by raising your property taxes.
Now, JUST FIVE MONTHS LATER, the politicians and bureaucrats are back again, putting the same measure on the November ballot but this time they've changed the name to Measure B. Many of us had legitimate questions and concerns about Measure E. Board members and administrators were asked:
If you look at the full text of Measure B you will find that many of the projects have nothing to do with addressing school overcrowding, school security or classroom technology.
Four years ago, we supported and passed Measure K. That bond cost $40 million and would "complete various improvements at all schools including updating technology infrastructure" and "build three new schools to accommodate further growth".
We need to send the school board and administrators a loud and clear message. Let's have accountability first. VOTE NO on Measure B. s/ Randy Cervelli s/ Larry Diel s/ Dean Foglio s/ Elaine Long
FACT #1: Each and every Measure B project is critically needed. In fact, the State has found our classrooms to be so overcrowded and outdated, that they've made us eligible for $75 million in State grants so long as we pass a local bond to provide a match. If we ignore our student's safety, technology upgrade needs, and overcrowded schools, they will just cost more in the future. FACT #2: Measure B makes financial sense and is good for our local economy. Measure B keeps our tax dollars in our community, increases job opportunities, boosts local revenues, and helps maintain property values. FACT #3: Measure B funds will be carefully spent and monitored. By law, an independent citizens' oversight committee is required to oversee all expenditures, as well as annual performance and financial audits. FACT #4: Measure B is affordable. The tax rate will be capped with the average homeowner estimated to pay less than $10 per month. FACT #5: Measure B is widely supported throughout the District. Ask your friends and neighbors. Measure B has been endorsed by some of the most respected and knowledgeable members of our community including peace officers, farmers, businessmen and women, teachers, union members, and firefighters. Measure B is a wise investment in our children's future as well as a major boost to our local economy. Please join us in voting YES on Measure B.
s/ Devon Kizirian
s/ Jeff Harrington
s/ Steve M. Amaro
s/ David Scarabello
s/ Daniel Ronquillo
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Tax Rate Statement |
An election will be held in the Central Unified School District (the "District") on November 4, 2008, to authorize the sale of up to $152,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the measure. If such bonds are authorized and sold, principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California. Such information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience within the District, and other demonstrable factors.
Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be paid through property taxation:
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 $.0600 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed value for the fiscal year 2009-2010.
2. 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 last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations at the time of filing of this statement, is $.0600 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed value for the fiscal year 2020-2021.
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 $.0600 per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed value in fiscal year 2009-2010 and thereafter. Voters should note the 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. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone 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. The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon 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 date 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 sale. Actual future assessed valuations 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/ Michael Berg
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Full Text of Measure B |
"To replace outdated heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems to improve energy efficiency; upgrade classroom computers and technology; replace aging portables; renovate restrooms; improve student safety and school security; acquire property; build classrooms and schools to reduce overcrowding and qualify the District to receive an estimated $75,000,000 in State matching funds, shall the Central Unified School District issue $152,000,000 in bonds at lowest possible interest rates with annual audits, independent citizens' oversight, and no money for administrators'
salaries?"
As required by the California Constitution, the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will 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, such as teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.
Bond Project List The District intends to complete the following projects, using a combination of bond funding and other anticipated sources, including State matching funds. The Central Unified School District will use bond funds for the following school facility projects:
Improve instructional technology / campus security / communications systems Act in accordance with accessibility and code compliance regulations New Schools Acquire, construct, equip and furnish two new elementary schools, one middle and one high school on property previously acquired by the District or to be acquired, including all related site improvements and facilities. Biola-Pershing Elementary School Renovate Library Media Center Harvest Elementary School Improve physical education playfields Herndon-Barstow Elementary School Renovate Library Media Center Houghton-Kearney Elementary School Renovate Library Media Center Norman Liddell Elementary School Renovate/reconfigure Library Madison Elementary School Construct Library Media Center McKinley Elementary School Enhance classroom and school exteriors James K. Polk Elementary School Provide additional portable classroom River Bluff Elementary Improve/expand physical education playfields Roosevelt Elementary School Renovate/replace portable classrooms William Saroyan Elementary School Renovate/replace portable classrooms . John Steinbeck Elementary School Upgrade heating/ventilation and air conditioning systems in portable classrooms Teague Elementary School Renovate/replace portable classrooms El Capitan Middle School Renovate/replace/relocate portable classrooms Rio Vista Middle School Expand/enhance multipurpose room Central High School East Campus Construct gymnasium Central High School West Campus Renovate classrooms Central Learning Adult School Site (CLASS) Improve campus security Pathways Community Day School Construct new facility Pershing Continuation High School Construct new facility District Service Center Construct new facility Acquisition of various capital projects at the Deran Koligian Educational Complex and at Central High West Campus previously financed with 2007 Certificates of Participation. These projects may include participation in the State Facility Program's Joint- Use Program to gain matching funds for joint-use libraries, multi-purpose rooms and child care, teacher education and other eligible facilities included as part of the projects identified above. The bond funds authorized by this Measure may be used to pay part or all of the local share needed to qualify such facilities for special State matching funds under the State Facility Program's Joint-Use Program requirements. The District's Board of Trustees has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the foregoing list. The District's Board of Trustees will conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the funds have been expended only on the project list set forth above. The District's Board of Trustees will conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects. Pursuant to Section 15772 of the Education Code, the District's Board of Trustees will appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent audits to assure that funds are spent only on school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes. Approval of Measure B does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Central Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure B will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure B. 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. |