League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Measure E Bonds Healdsburg Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 2,790 / 61.4% Yes votes ...... 1,756 / 38.6% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure E

Arguments Against Measure E

Our schools are one of the most important assets in our community and should be our number one priority. From higher achieving students, to future job training, to greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. Our teachers and staff do their best in educating our students, but many classrooms and school facilities in the Healdsburg Unified School District are old and inadequate to provide students with the school facilities they need to succeed. Our students need your Yes vote on Measure E! While our facilities have been well maintained, our high school and junior high classrooms and facilities are outdated and do not meet 21st century safety, educational, and technological standards. It is critical that we invest in our schools now. Without increasing the current tax rate, Measure E will provide funding to make critical facility improvements at Healdsburg high and junior high by: replacing leaky roofs; modernizing and renovating outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; increasing student access to computers and modern technology; and upgrading inadequate electrical systems. Measure E makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. Measure E raises funds needed to improve our schools without increasing the current tax rate and while assuring accountability. By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee; and all bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state. In addition, funds can only be spent on lasting infrastructure improvements at our local high school and junior high, not for teacher or administrator salaries. Measure E upgrades and renovates old and inadequate classrooms, 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 E! s/ Barbara M. Pinney Healdsburg Junior High Teacher s/ Mike McGuire Sonoma County Supervisor s/ Henry Hersch Community Activist s/ Cindy Beth Community Volunteer & Parent s/ Jerry Eddinger Local Businessman Rebuttal to Arguments For Measure E's proponents describe inadequate school facilities in need of repair, outdated classrooms in need of modernization, and the need for computers and modern technology. They do not, however, describe any steps taken to plan for these easily anticipated expenses. The silence is deafening. None of these items came about by surprise. All are predictable and expected. Administrators have simply failed to plan for the future and want you to pay for their short-sightedness. Don't be misled by claims that tax rates will not increase. Bond principal, interest, and fees paid the investment bankers must all be repaid and will be added to your tax bill. It gets worse. Administrators want to borrow money today that will be repaid in 40 years. Money that will be used to purchase computers, solar panels and other equipment having useful lives well short of 40 years. Future generations will be making the payments on this equipment long after it has been depleted and replaced by yet more short-term equipment funded by yet more long-term borrowing. It's a vicious circle and our children pay for it. Contrary to a common misunderstanding that we oppose all taxes and bonds, we in fact support districts that establish replacement reserve funds to avoid the need for future borrowing and tax increases. We are also receptive to bond funding when the maturity of the bond matches the useful lives of the improvements and equipment being made or acquired. Neither is the case here. Vote no on E. SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Daniel A. Drummond, Executive Director s/ Jack Atkin, President

Bonds are loans and must be repaid just like your mortgage or car loan. But unlike those loans, bonds are repaid from higher taxes. Bonds are typically issued to facilitate the acquisition of assets having an expected useful life equal to or exceeding the life of the loan. Bonds thus allow the borrower to spread the cost of the asset over its expected useful life. But just as you would not take out a 30 year mortgage to buy a car, neither should the school district take out 25 and 40 year bonds to finance equipment (computers and other technology) and improvements (solar panels and updated electrical and plumbing systems) that have useful lives well short of forty years. Doing so only places on our children and grandchildren the burden of paying tomorrow for assets that will have long since been sent to the landfill. Further, the fact that a roof and other major building components do not last forever should surprise no one. Providing for a sound roof, functioning heating system and other elements of the physical plant should be every bit as much a part of the annual budgeting as staff salaries and utility bills. Because roofs are not replaced every year, a portion of the replacement cost should be placed in a dedicated replacement reserve fund each year so that funds are available when needed. Without an adequately funded reserve only three things can happen - and they are all bad - the District must either defer maintenance, divert funds intended for educational programs to building maintenance, or raise taxes (issue bonds). Using bonds to fund the acquisition of short shelf-life items and failing to maintain an adequate reserve simply passes on to future generations the bill for today's needs. Vote no on Measure E. SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Daniel A. Drummond, Executive Director s/ Jack Atkin, President Rebuttal to Arguments Against Modern schools are critical to providing an excellent education, preserving property values for taxpayers, and maintaining quality communities. Healdsburg voters know what's best for Healdsburg schools. Don't be misled by the argument against Measure E. Consider the facts: Fact: Measure E will improve facilities and put more dollars into our classrooms without raising taxes. Measure E will not increase the annual tax rate that property owners are currently paying. Fact: By law, the types of school improvements that are being proposed must, and will, be consistent with the term of the bonds. Measure E bonds will have 25-30 year terms, not 40 years as was inaccurately stated. Fact: Dwindling State funding makes it impossible for the District to set aside adequate funds for major maintenance projects while providing for our students' educational needs in the classroom. The scope of these projects requires a significant investment, available only by passing a bond measure. Don't take our word for it. Measure E has earned the wide support of local elected officials, civic leaders, families and business owners. They know that the tax deductible cost of Measure E is a small fraction of the increased property values good schools provide. Measure E is a cost-effective way to improve the quality of education and preserve property values, while providing students the excellent schools they need for their future success. Join us in Voting Yes on Measure E. s/ Richard Bugarske Small Business Owner s/ John Lloyd Business Owner s/ Lisa Wittke Schaffner Community Volunteer s/ Andy Esquivel Small Business Owner s/ William K. Seppi Business Owner

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Healdsburg Unified School District (the "District") on June 5, 2012, to authorize the sale of up to $35,000,000 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 $0.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for the fiscal year 2012-2013. 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 $0.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for the fiscal year 2018-2019. 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 $46.50 per $100,000 of assessed value. 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/ Jeff Harding Superintendent Healdsburg Unified School District

Full Text of Measure E

EXHIBIT B PRIORITY SCHOOL PROJECTS LIST The Board of Trustees of the Healdsburg Unified School District evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, enrollment trends, class size, class size reduction, and computer and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation reflected in the Master Planning Facilities Assessment accepted by the Board of Trustees on October 19, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference, and received public input and review in developing this Priority School Projects List. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Trustees determines that the District should: (i) Repair and replace leaky roofs for student safety and to reduce maintenance costs; (ii) Replace aging and broken heating, plumbing and electrical systems with solar technology and other upgrades to improve energy efficiency and invest the savings to improve the quality of education; (iii) Replace outdated portable classrooms with permanent classrooms to increase child safety and reduce energy expenses; (iv) Provide modern classroom technology and computers to support academic and job training programs; (v) Retain all bond money to be used in our local community and not be taken by the State; and (vi) NOT RAISE TAXES ABOVE CURRENT RATES. School Renovation, Repair and Upgrades Goal and Purpose: To provide adequate facilities for academic programs and to upgrade classroom technology and internet access, Healdsburg Junior High School and Healdsburg High School will benefit from the repair, upgrade of aging classrooms, and the acquisition of equipment, so that students have the resources they need to excel and be prepared for college and jobs in the real world when they graduate: Replace older heating, plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems which will conserve electricity, save on costly utility bills and improve air quality. Repair or replace leaky roofs. Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increase capacity. Install additional electrical service capacity to improve computer technology and internet access. Upgrade aging classrooms and restrooms; replace portable classrooms with permanent or modular classrooms. Construct additional science labs. Upgrading of Computer Technology Goal and Purpose: To upgrade computer technology and allow our teachers and students to use up-to-date teaching methods and have access to current learning and research tools: Provide and maintain up-to-date technology, data and communication equipment. Upgrade and expand telecommunications, Internet and network connections. Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and software systems. Upgrade and replace classroom instructional equipment. Replace or upgrade outdated electrical systems. Health, Safety and Energy Efficiency Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values, schools will benefit from a variety of safety projects, and academic programs will benefit from the savings generated by energy efficient utility systems such as: Student Safety Upgrade fire alarm systems to automatic systems, repair fire safety equipment, add smoke detectors, sprinklers and fire safety doors. Upgrade schools to meet handicap accessibility requirements. Upgrade classrooms to meet current fire earthquake safety codes. Install new security systems, such as outdoor lighting, fencing, gates and classroom door locks. Replace existing doors, doorframes and hardware. Upgrade school site parking, utilities and grounds. Remove hazardous materials. Energy Efficiency Returns Savings to the Classroom Replace existing window systems with energy efficient systems to reduce costs. Install energy efficient systems, including, but not limited to, solar panels or using wind technology, to reduce energy/utility costs and return savings to educational programs. Replace outdated heating and ventilation systems. Provide local match for participating in state funded energy efficient, and sustainable schools and high performing schools programs. Install new energy management systems. Improve insulation and weather proofing to reduce costs. The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program/project management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Priority School Projects List also includes the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including the reduction or retirement of outstanding lease obligations and interim funding incurred to advance fund projects from the Priority School Projects List; installation of signage and fencing; payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility studies, assessment reviews, facility master plan preparation and updates, environmental studies (including environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring), design and construction documentation, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by construction projects. In addition to the projects listed above, the repair and renovation of each of the existing school facilities may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovation of student and staff restrooms; replace/upgrade existing signage, bells and clocks; repair and replacement of heating and ventilation systems; improvements at the Continuation High School; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies; repair and replacement of worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls, doors and drinking fountains; installation wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; upgrades or construction of support facilities, including administrative, physical education/athletic facilities and performing arts buildings and maintenance yards; repair and replacement of fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; resurfacing or replacing of hard courts, pools, turf and irrigation systems and campus landscaping and play fields; expand parking; install interior and exterior painting and floor covering; demolition; and construction of various forms of storage and support spaces, upgrade classrooms, bleachers, kitchens, repair, upgrade and install interior and exterior lighting systems; replace outdated security fences and security systems. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, LCD projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection systems, laser printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgrade voice-over-IP, call manager and network security/firewall, wireless technology systems and other miscellaneous equipment and software. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. In the absence of State matching funds, which the District will aggressively pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District may not be able to complete some of the projects listed above. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. Some projects throughout the District, such as gyms, fields and performing arts facilities, may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans and construction documents are finalized, construction bids are received, construction contracts are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration may occur 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,trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. 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 bond projects. Bond proceeds shall only be expended for the specific purposes identified herein. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410. FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL APPOINT A CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHER AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.