League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure J Improve Quality of Oakland Schools & School Facilities Oakland Unified School District Bond Measure - 55% Approval Required Pass: 122695 / 84.39% Yes votes ...... 22687 / 15.61% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure J

Measure J is about one thing: Improving the Quality of Oakland schools. While there has been significant progress in the quality of our local schools over the past few years, the facts remain that many of Oakland's schools need improvement and not every Oakland child has a safe school and a well-functioning classroom. The average age of Oakland schools is 71 years. Schools built years ago need significant updating; classrooms are inadequate, roofs need repair, plumbing and heating systems are deteriorating, and many classrooms have inadequate lighting, wiring and electrical outlets. When repairs involve breaking through walls and ceilings, asbestos is often found, making even minor problems expensive to fix. Measure J has been placed on the ballot to address the most pressing needs. Measure J will provide funding to upgrade classrooms, computer systems and science labs. Measure J insures that our schools have the facilities needed to provide career training and advanced courses in math, science and technology. All money raised by Measure J will stay in our community to benefit Oakland children. No money can be taken by the state or used for other purposes. Cost of Measure J is tax deductible. Independent audits ensure money will be spent as promised. Measure J will help qualify our community for state matching funds, when available. Among the projects that will be completed: Seismic upgrades of schools and classrooms to reduce danger from earthquakes Asbestos and lead paint removal Upgrade science labs, classrooms, computers and technology Repair bathrooms and unsafe playground areas Upgrade kitchen facilities to improve nutrition and nutritional education Improving our local schools is essential for our children and to attract jobs and stimulate economic growth in Oakland. Business, labor, teachers, parents, principals, community and religious leaders are all supporting Measure J. Please vote YES on Measure J. Renee Swayne Retired Teacher & Chair, Measure B Oversight Committee Beverly Rivas Executive Director, Oakland Builders Alliance Jonathan Klein Executive Director, Great Oakland Public Schools Ruth Woodruff Parent and Co-Founder, Oakland School Food Alliance Jesus Nieto-Ruiz Pastor (No arguments against Measure J were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from County Assessor & Superintendent OUSD

An election will be held in the Oakland Unified School District (the "District") on November 6, 2012, to authorize the sale of up to $475,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the measure. If the bonds are approved, the District plans to sell the bonds in 4 series over a period of approximately 6 years. 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 below is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California. 1. The best estimate of the maximum 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 no more than three and nine-tenths cents per $100 ($39 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14. 2. The best estimate of the maximum 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 available at the time of filing of this statement, is no more than six cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2019-20. 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 six cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation, which is estimated to apply in fiscal year 2019-20. Approval of the ballot measure authorizes the issuance of bonds under certain conditions, and is not approval of a specific tax rate or a specific bond issuance plan. The tax rate estimates in this statement reflect the District's current projection of future assessed values and of future debt service payments, which are based on certain assumptions. 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 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 of the bonds and the amount and repayment structure of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on its need for construction funds, its intention to meet the tax rate targets stated above, the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote, and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds are 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. 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 property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.