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Smart Voter
Stanislaus County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Measure H
School District Bond
Hughson Unified School District

55% Approval Required

Fail: 1,533 / 40.80% Yes votes ...... 2,224 / 59.20% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 18 4:21pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (12/12)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To improve the quality of education, modernize and renovate the high school, improve energy efficiency to reduce operating costs, build a science building at the high school, upgrade technology and inadequate electrical systems, and improve and expand physical education fields and facilities, shall the Hughson Unified School District issue $21,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, have an independent citizens' oversight committee and NO money used for administrative or teacher salaries or be taken by the state?

Impartial Analysis
If approved by fifty-five percent (55%) of the votes cast by the voters voting thereon, this measure would authorize the Board of Trustees of the Hughson Unified School District (the "District") to issue and sell general obligation bonds of the District in amounts not to exceed a total of $21,000,000. Interest on said bonds shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by the Education Code Sections 15140 to 15143, as modified by Government Code Section 53531, which provides that such bonds may bear interest not to exceed twelve percent (12%), the legal limit.

If the bond measure is approved, pursuant to Section 15278 of the California Education Code, the District is committed to establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The District has committed that the proceeds from the bonds will be used solely for the projects described in the ballots exhibit to include the following projects: "Construction and renovation of a variety of school facilities projects as described fully in the full text of Measure "H".

If this measure passes, a tax shall annually levy on property within the District. The District has determined that the best estimate for the tax rate for the first fiscal year after the sale of bonds is $49.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-2012, and the same amount in 2012-2013, and thereafter.

Subject to the applicable provisions of the California Constitution and the California Education Code, an annual tax shall be levied upon the property within the jurisdiction of the District for the interest and redemption of all outstanding bonds of the District authorized by this measure. The annual tax shall not be less than sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds as it becomes due and to provide a sinking fund for payment of the principal on or before maturity and may include an allowance for an annual reserve, established for the purpose of avoiding fluctuating tax levies.

___ A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the District to issue and sell the bonds.

___A "no" vote is against authorizing the District to issue and sell the bonds.

This analysis is submitted by the Office of the Stanislaus County Counsel pursuant to the requirements of Section 9500 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

/s/ Dean Wright, Deputy County Counsel of County of Stanislaus

  Official Information

N.B. This is not an official version of the measure. For the official wording contact the Registrar of Voters or the district sponsoring the measure.
News and Analysis

The Modesto Bee

General Links

FAQ Fact Sheet, Measure H

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Arguments For Measure H Arguments Against Measure H
Our schools are the most important assets in our community and should be our number one priority. 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 Hughson Unified School District are outdated and inadequate to provide students with the school facilities they need to succeed.

Our students need your YES vote on Measure H! While schools have been renovated, modernized, and well maintained over the years, we still have needs, especially at Hughson High which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. While the facilities aren't 100 years old, some are over 60 years old and need improvements to bring them to today's safety, technological, and educational standards. Measure H allows the District to improve the quality of education provided to local students.

If passed, Measure H provides funding to make critical facility improvements by:

  • Modernizing classrooms, restrooms and school facilities at Hughson High
  • Constructing a new science building at the high school
  • Improving and expanding athletic facilities for school and community use
  • Modernizing the agriculture (AG) shops
  • Improving energy efficiency and upgrading technology

Measure H 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 schools, not for teacher or administrators salaries.

Measure H upgrades and renovates old and inadequate classrooms, creates local jobs, improves the education of local students, and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE H!

/s/ Jean Henley-Hatfield, Retired / Volunteer
/s/ Vito Chiesa, Stanislaus County Supervisor District 2
/s/ Derek Ross, Self Employed + Pizza Factory
/s/ Cathee Vaughn, Sect of Board of Directors, Hughson Family Resource Center
/s/ Ramon Bawanan

None Filed

Tax Rate Statement
An election will be held in the Hughson Unified School District (the "District") on November 2, 2010 to authorize the sale of $21,000,000 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 $.04900 per $100 ($49.00 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 $.04900 per $100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17.

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 $.04900 per $100 ($49.00 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: June 28, 2010

/s/ Brian Beck
Superintendent
Hughson Unified School District

Full Text of Measure H

EXHIBIT A

This proposition may be known and referred to as the Hughson Unified School District General Obligation Bond of 2010, or Measure H

FINDINGS

The Hughson Unified School District (the "District), is a recognized leader in providing top quality education to Stanislaus County students.

The achievements have been accrued by the District as a result of the long history of visionary leadership from the Board of Trustees 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, additional repairs and upgrades 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 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 $21,000,000 in aggregated principal at interest rates below 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 expanded 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 construction and bond program management by district personnel, 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 Stanislaus 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:

Hughson High School     Dickens High School
Emilie J. Ross Middle School     Fox Road Elementary School
Hughson Elementary School     

The specific school facilities projects to be funded include, but shall not be limited to:

  • Modernize and renovate classrooms and school facilities, including the aging agriculture (Ag) shops and gymnasium at Hughson High School
  • Construct a new science building and dining canopy at Hughson High School
  • Improve and expand athletic facilities and fields at Hughson High School for school and community use, including site expansions and a softball complex
  • Upgrade the stadium at Hughson High School, including an all weather track and synthetic turf field to reduce operating costs
  • Construct a multi-purpose building for use by Ross Middle School and Fox Road Elementary School, including a lobby, restrooms and a music classroom.

Modernization and Miscellaneous Projects at School Sites

  • Replace inadequate wiring and electrical systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes, increase capacity, and relieve currently overloaded electrical systems.
  • Repair or replace old windows
  • Install additional and/or replace outdated heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and lighting systems, where possible to be more energy efficient.
  • Repair or replace roofs, doors, walls, floors, and ceilings.
  • Renovate, repair, and/or upgrade the interior and/or exterior of existing classrooms and school facilities throughout the District, including hardware, infrastructure and landscaping improvements.
  • Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increased capacity, including replacing raceways.
  • Additional electrical service capacity to relieve currently overloaded electrical systems.
  • Make health and safety improvements, including abatement and removal of hazardous materials identified prior or during construction.
  • Upgrade outdated restrooms.
  • Repair or replace existing plumbing, sewer and drainage systems.
  • 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.
  • 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.


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