League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Humboldt County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Measure Q Bond Measure to Improve High School Facilities of 2010 Northern Humboldt Union High School District Bond Authorization - 55% Approval Required Pass: 10,386 / 59.47% Yes votes ...... 7,079 / 40.53% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Q

Arguments Against Measure Q

Everyone knows the importance and value of having quality schools. From higher achieving students, to training for future jobs, to greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. While our teachers and staff do their best in educating our children, many classrooms and school facilities in the Northern Humboldt Union High School District are inadequate and outdated to provide students with the school facilities they need to succeed. Our students need your YES vote on Measure Q! While facilities have been well maintained, our high schools do not meet 21st century education and technology standards. A local school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of education provided to local students. Therefore, we must invest and help our high schools so they meet today's safety, technological, and educational standards. If passed, Measure Q will provide funding to make facility improvements at McKinleyville and Arcata High Schools including: Upgrading technology and inadequate electrical systems Modernizing libraries and media centers Improving physical education fields and facilities for school and community use Making health, safety, and handicapped accessibility (ADA) improvements Constructing a performing arts center for school and community use Improving energy efficiency throughout the District Measure Q makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. By law, all bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State. Spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee. Funds can only be spent to improve our high schools, not for teacher salaries. Measure Q upgrades and renovates inadequate classrooms and facilities, improves the education of local students, and maintains the quality of our communities. That's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE Q! /s/ Phil Ricord, President & General Manager, Wildberries Marketplace /s/ Shane Brinton, Arcata City Councilmember /s/ Sarie Toste, Board Member /s/ Eleanor Sullivan, Community Member /s/ Ross Miller, Vice-President of Landscape + Miller Farms Rebuttal to Arguments For Prepared by the Humboldt Taxpayer's League The Argument in Favor of Measure Q fails to address the following points: By extending the length of time needed for payoff of the $25.8 million Bond to 35 years in order to have a better chance of public acceptance ensures that many funded facilities, improvements and equipment will be outdated long before the bond measure is paid off. Bond Oversight Committees are not a cure all in that they only give input after the fact and have no authority to affect spending decisions. Monies diverted from reduced maintenance and saved by paying off debt (debt service) can be used for teachers and administrators salaries. Recent bond measures of other Humboldt County school districts in regard to managing and spending bond monies are generally poor. How does a Performing Arts Center figure into critical educational needs in the school and community? Many of the "high priority" projects listed could be partially or fully funded through grants. Administrative costs, such as bond attorneys, financiers, architects and consultants associated with the bond are not separately identified. Historically bond consultants financially benefit from approved measures and often contribute to supporting campaigns, thus putting their analysis in question. Overall there are insufficient descriptions, specifics or cost breakdowns of the projects to enable voters to make an informed decision on this bond issue. The Humboldt Taxpayer's League urges you to VOTE NO ON MEASURE Q. Submitted on August 3, 2010 by the Humboldt Taxpayer's League, Clifford B. Chapman, Sr. Executive Director, Humboldt Taxpayer's League P.O. Box 1432 Eureka, CA 95502

The Northern Humboldt Union High School District (NHUHSD) Board of Trustees decision to pursue the issuance of $25,800,000 in bonds for McKinleyville and Arcata Union High Schools is ill timed and poorly thought out. If approved all property owners (along with renters and lease holders through passed on increases) will be saddled with paying off this debt for the next 35 years. While the goal is "to improve the quality of education" in the district it appears doubtful that many of the possible projects identified will help meet that goal as at least part of the bond money is intended to pay off existing bond debt ($1.29 million) and purchase and install items with a limited life such as computers and artificial turf on athletic fields. A bond proposal of this magnitude, at a time of declining property values that have not yet been addressed by the county assessor, along with lower than projected development will likely create a rate higher than represented. Bond maturity has already been extended to 35 years with optimistic projections to arrive at a questionable $19 rate per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The NHUHSD board does not seem to understand that the potential for further effects on property values in the district, which coupled with huge increases in water and sewer rates in the near future due to the implementation of additional environmental regulation, will result in many individual taxpayers simply not having the ability to pay more. The Humboldt Taxpayer's League urges a NO VOTE on Measure Q. Submitted on July 26, 2010 by the Humboldt Taxpayer's League, /s/ Clifford B. Chapman, Sr. Clifford B. Chapman, Sr. Executive Director, Humboldt Taxpayer's League P.O.Box 1432 Eureka, CA 95502 Rebuttal to Arguments Against Updated and modern classrooms are critical to a quality education and maintaining a quality community. Don't be misled by the argument against Measure Q; here are the real facts: Fact: For over two years, the Northern Humboldt Union High School District has been discussing and planning for a school improvement measure. In the last yer alone, there have been over five public meetings to discuss school improvements for local students. Fact: Measure Q will improve the quality of education. Measure Q will modernize, repair, and renovate outdated classrooms and facilities and put money back into the classrooms. Having access to computers and modern technology as well as upgraded and modern schools, gives our local students the best chance to succeed. Fact: The District has conservatively structured a plan to keep the tax rate at $19.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, one of the lowest in the county! This tax-deductible amount is a small fraction of the increased property values good schools bring. Fact: Almost all of our neighboring school districts have recently passed improvement measures, since that is the only way to make facilities improvements. In addition, we are one of the largest high school districts in the State to have never even attempted a bond measure! VOTED BASED ON FACTS AND JOIN... John Wolley, Former 3rd District Supervisor Tim Hooven, Vice-President of Hooven, Inc. Don Harling, Owner of Beau Pre Gold Course Julie Fulkerson, Trinidad City Council Member Dan Johnson, President of DANCO ...IN SUPPORTING MEASURE Q. /s/ Eleanor Sullivan /s/ Phil Ricord /s/ Sari Toste /s/ Ross Miller /s/ Shane Brinton

Tax Rate Statement from NHUHSD Superintendent

An election will be held in the Northern Humboldt Union High School District (the "District") on November 2, 2010 to authorize the sale of $25,800,000 in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required 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 $.01900 per $100 ($19.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-12. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required 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 $.01900 per $100 ($19.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is $.01900 per $100 ($19.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. 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 bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale and actual increases in assessed valuations. The timing of the bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the needs of the District. Actual assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process. Dated: July 6, 2010 Kenny Richards Superintendent Northern Humboldt Union High School District

Full Text of Measure Q

This proposition may be known and referred to as the Northern Humboldt Union High School District General Obligation Bond of 2010, or Measure Q. FINDINGS The Northern Humboldt Union High School District (the "District), which serves the northern portion of Humboldt County, is a recognized leader in providing top quality education to Humboldt County students. The achievements have been accrued by the District as a result of the long history of visionary leadership from the Governing Board of the District (the "Board"), as well as from staff members, parents, and members of the District communities. During its long history, the District has benefited from a community, which supports its educational institutions by establishing high standards for academic achievement while at the same time providing the means required to meet and even to surpass those expectations. In order to provide our local students with the same classrooms and school facilities as other California school districts, repairs, upgrades, and classroom construction are necessary to ensure these buildings will remain functional for future generations. The Board has prepared a facilities plan and identified repairs, upgrades, and classroom and facility modernization needs that 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. Historically, the state requires that local school districts provide local funds as a condition of receipt of state matching funds. It is necessary to seek voter approval of a bond measure in order to provide the local funding for identified school facility repairs, construction, 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 $25,800,000 in aggregated principal at interest rates within the legal limit, to provide finance for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A-1 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-1. The school district's proposal for the project or projects may assume 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 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-1. 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-1. 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-1. 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-1. 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 equipping of school facilities or 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. The proceeds of the bonds will be deposited into a Building Fund to be held by the Humboldt County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code. EXHIBIT A-1 BOND PROJECT LIST Bond proceeds will be expended to modernize, replace, renovate, expand, construct, acquire, equip, furnish and otherwise improve the classrooms and school facilities of the District, including those located at the following locations: Arcata High School + Built in 1948 McKinleyville High School + Built in 1961 The specific school facilities projects to be funded include, but shall not be limited to: Replace inadequate wiring and electrical systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes, increase capacity, and relieve currently overloaded electrical systems. Upgrade, expand, construct, repair and/or equip school facilities, including library/media centers, labs, multipurpose rooms, and other school facilities. Replace outdated windows with new, energy efficient windows. Install additional and/or replace outdated heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and lighting systems to be more energy efficient. Install energy efficient systems including "green" building projects and sustainable building practices to promote energy-efficiency (e.g., solar, high performance lighting, electrical systems panel, HVAC etc.). Renovate, repair, expand and/or upgrade the interior and/or exterior of existing outdated classrooms and school facilities throughout the District, including infrastructure and landscaping improvements. Modernize outdated classroom interiors including tile/asbestos abatement, new paint, carpet/vinyl, white marker boards, tackable surfaces, increased secure storage capacity for instructional materials and equipment, etc. Upgrade outdated restrooms throughout the District. Make health and safety improvements, including Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades and as mandated by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) including site access, parking, restrooms, relocation of some existing electrical devices, drinking fountains, etc. Replace/upgrade existing signage, bells and clocks. Install, repair, upgrade, or replace safety and security systems for students and staff Upgrade/repair/install physical education fields and facilities, including water conservation all weather tracks and fields. Upgrade media, audio/visual equipment, and other technology for effective learning environments, including foreign language labs. Upgrade and expand campus wide-intercom system, wireless systems, and telecommunications, internet, and network connections. Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and software systems. Miscellaneous Projects at School Sites Abate and remove hazardous materials identified prior or during construction. Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (such as 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. Necessary site acquisition and preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines (such as gas lines, water lines, electrical lines, sewer lines, and communication lines), 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, and personnel, and interim classrooms (including relocatables) for students and school functions or other storage for classroom materials displaced during construction. Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under leases for any of these authorized facilities, or refinancing or retirement of outstanding lease obligations. For any project involving rehabilitation or renovation of a building or the major portion of a building, the District shall be authorized to proceed with new replacement construction instead, if the Board of Trustees determines that replacement and new construction is more economically practical than rehabilitation and renovation, considering the building's age, condition, expected remaining life, and other relevant factors. All work necessary and incidental to specific projects described above, including demolition of existing structures. EXHIBIT B BALLOT MEASURE (ABBREVIATED FORM) "To improve the quality of education at McKinleyville and Arcata High Schools; upgrade inadequate electrical systems; improve energy efficiency including installing solar panels; upgrade computers and technology; make health and safety improvements; and improve physical education fields and facilities for school and community use; shall the Northern Humboldt Union High School District issue $25,800,000 of bonds within legal interest rates, have an independent citizens' oversight committee and have NO money used for teacher salaries or be taken by the State."