League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	Measure C Bond Mark West Union School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 2,372 / 59.4% Yes votes ...... 1,622 / 40.6% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure C

Over the past decade, the Mark West Union School District has used state and local funding to modernize our elementary schools. Voters in Mark West approved Measure "I" in 2002 to improve our local schools. Since then, test scores have gone up. We now need to ensure local students have comparable classrooms and facilities to neighboring schools. We now need to continue improving our local schools so our children do not get left behind. We now need to provide our children with the best chance for academic success. Measure "C" will build new classrooms, and remove or replace outdated portable facilities at all local schools that were originally temporary solutions but have become old and in need of substantial repair, modernize classrooms and facilities, including replacing leaky roofs, windows and heating and ventilation systems to extend the life of our facilities and improve energy efficiency, and renovate and upgrade classrooms to enhance and maintain student access to computers and modern technology. We know that good schools attract families, businesses, and investment. Measure "C" makes financial sense. It will improve our property values and main- tain the desirability of our community, provide the local match for up to $5 million dollars in State funds to make repairs and improve schools, make improvements that reduce annual operating costs to put more money in the classroom + where it belongs, and provide funds that will be spent creating local construction jobs that pay well, stimulate our economy and improve local schools. By law, Measure "C" has taxpayer safeguards including an independent oversight committee and annual audits to ensure money is used only for voter approved school improvements and repairs and not used for salaries, administration, and overhead. On Tuesday, June 8th, vote Yes on Measure "C"! MARK WEST UNION SCHOOL BOARD /s/ Greg Stone, President MARK WEST TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION /s/ Nancy Arreola, President /s/ Joan Gibson, Parent /s/ Brian Burke, Business Owner /s/ Deanna Wallace Senior Citizen (No arguments against Measure C were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Mark West Union School District (the "District") on June 8, 2010, to authorize the sale of up to $14,000,000 in bonds of the District to fi- nance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in two series over time. 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 presented in numbered paragraphs 1-3 be- low is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California. 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, approximately one and one-seventh cents per $100 ($11.53 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2010-11. 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 avail- able at the time of filing of this statement, is or approximately one cent per $100 ($9.51 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2014-15. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valua- tions available at the time of filing of this statement, approximately two and one-third cents per $100 ($23.41 per $100,000) of assessed valua- tion in fiscal year 2030-31. Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property in the District as shown on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. Property owners should consult their own prop- erty tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions. The foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates. Approval of the ballot measure authorizes the issuance of bonds under certain conditions, and is not approval of a specific tax rate. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to vari- ations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount and repayment structure of bonds sold, 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 and repayment structure of bonds sold at any given time will be de- termined by the District based on its need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. The actual inter- est 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/ Kay Schultz Superintendent, Mark West Union School District

Full Text of Measure C

MARK WEST CLASSROOM IMPROVEMENT AND STUDENT SAFETY MEASURE This Proposition may be known and referred to as the "Mark West Classroom Improvement and Student Safety Measure" or as "Measure C." FINDINGS The Mark West Union School District was established in 1868 in the Mark West/Larkfield area of northern Santa Rosa. The District currently educates approximately 1,300 students in three elementary schools and a charter school. We are committed to pursuing excellence in education with a challenging curricu- lum for all our students. Over the past decade, the District has used state and local funding to modernize local elementary schools, including a new multipurpose room, library, and computer lab at Mark West Elementary, and improvements to San Miguel Ele- mentary. We have a plan for the next ten years to protect our investment in our facilities. The Board has completed a Facilities Master Plan and prioritized options. We need to complete classrooms at Riebli School. Currently, classrooms have leaky roofs, inefficient windows, and outdated heating and ventilation sys- tems that need to be replaced. Outdated portable facilities that were originally tem- porary solutions are now old and in need of substantial repair or replacement. Technology is constantly changing, and needs to be upgraded to improve student access. BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Mark West Union School District (the "District") shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $14,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List below, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below. ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposi- tion in order that the District's voters and taxpayers 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 XIII A, 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 of Trustees prepared a facilities master plan in order to evaluate and address facilities needs of the District at each campus and facility, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List. Limitation on Use of Bond Proceeds. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruc- tion, 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, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projects. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (pursuant to Educa- tion Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure bond proceeds are spent only for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees. Annual Performance Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an an- nual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon ap- proval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Trustees shall take actions necessary pursuant to Government Code Section 53410 and following 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 Superin- tendent of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2010, 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 Superinten-dent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS Specific Purposes. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100, and shall constitute the specific purposes of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purposes, pursuant to Govern- ment Code Section 53410. Joint Use. The District may enter into agreements with other public agencies or nonprofit organizations for joint use of school facilities financed with the proceeds of the bonds in accordance with Education Code Section 17077.42 (or any successor provision). The District may seek State grant funds for eligible joint-use projects as permitted by law, and this proposition hereby specifies and acknowledges that bond funds will or may be used to fund all or a portion of the local share for any eligible joint-use projects identified in the Bond Project List or as otherwise permitted by California State regulations, as the Board of Trustees shall determine. Rate of Interest; Term of Bonds. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate per annum not exceeding the statutory maximum, payable at the time or times permitted by law. The number of years the whole or any part of the bonds are to run shall not exceed 40 years from the date of the bonds or the date of any series thereof. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List below describes the specific projects the District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed projects will be completed as needed at a particular school site according to Board-established priorities, and the order in which such projects appear on the Bond Project List is not an indication of priority for funding or completion. The final cost of each project will be deter- mined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are com- pleted. Certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects and public agency or nonprofit partner contri- butions to joint-use projects, have not yet been secured. Until all project costs and funding sources are known, the Board of Trustees cannot determine the amount of bond proceeds available to be spent on each project, nor guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. Completion of some projects may be subject to further government approvals by State officials and boards, to local environmental review, and to input from the public. For these reasons, inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List is not a guarantee that the project will be funded or completed. The Board of Trustees may make changes to the Bond Project List in the future consistent with the projects specified in the proposition. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance and other construction-related costs, such as construction man- agement, architectural, engineering, inspection and other planning costs, legal, accounting and similar fees, independent annual financial and performance audits, a customary construction contingency, and other costs incidental to and necessary for completion of the listed projects (whether work is performed by the District or by third parties). Unless otherwise noted, the following projects are authorized to be completed at each or any of the District's school sites: Mark West Elementary School - Built 1945 (4600 Lavell Road, Santa Rosa) John B. Riebli Elementary School - Built 1993 (315 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa) San Miguel Elementary School - Built 1966 (5350 Faught Road, Santa Rosa) Build classrooms Renovate portable facilities Replace portable facilities with permanent buildings Repair and replace roofs Make campus health and safety improvements including to playgrounds,exterior lighting systems, fire and similar alarm systems, parking lots, signage Install campus security improvements, including cameras, fencing, gates, protective door locks Construct restrooms and upgrade existing plumbing and sewer systems Replace windows, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to improve energy efficiency and lower operating costs Upgrade, install and replace electrical system, updated school telephone and communication system, and other technology service systems to accommodate classroom computers and modern technology Equip computer labs and classrooms with new computers and printers Acquire and install or replace school library, office, and district management computer systems and necessary electrical and data connections Modernize classrooms and student support facilities including renovating, replacing and installing new flooring, walls, casework, windows, doors and fixtures Make improvements to road access and parking lots including acquiring land to improve student safety and reduce traffic congestion on neighboring roads ADDITIONAL NECESSARY, INCIDENTAL AND RELATED PROJECTS Remove, dispose of, and otherwise remediate hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, etc., where necessary Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (including plumbing or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic, structural, etc.) Other improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Necessary site preparation and restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of portable classrooms, including demolition of existing structures; removing, replacing, or in- stalling irrigation, drainage, utility lines (gas, water, sewer, electrical, data and voice, etc.), trees and landscaping; relocating fire access roads; and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property Rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis, as needed, to accommodate construction materials, equipment, personnel, and interim classrooms (including relocatables) for students and school func- tions or other storage for classroom materials Furnish and equip classrooms and other facilities Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease, lease-purchase, or other appropriate financial arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities All other work, furnishing and equipping, necessary and incidental to specific projects described above. For any project involving renovation, repair, or rehabilitation of a building or the major portion of a building, the District shall be authorized to proceed with new replacement construction instead (including any necessary demolition), if the Board of Trustees determines that replacement and new construction is more practical than rehabilitation and renovation, considering the building's age, condition, expected remaining life, comparative cost, and other relevant factors. The Bond Project List shall be considered a part of this ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.