League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Butte County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure E Local Chico School Facility Improvement Measure Chico Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 27112 / 64.96% Yes votes ...... 14622 / 35.04% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure E

Our local Chico 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. Our teachers and staff do excellent work in educating our children, but many classrooms and school facilities in the Chico Unified School District are inadequate to provide students with the school facilities they need to succeed. Our children need your YES vote on Measure E! While schools have been well maintained, 30-50 year old classrooms must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century education standards. A school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of education provided to local children. Therefore, we must invest in our schools so they meet today's safety, technological, and educational standards. If passed, Measure E will provide funding to make critical facility improvements at all Chico schools by: Improving student access to modern technology; Repairing and replacing leaky roofs; Replacing deteriorating plumbing systems; Replacing energy inefficient heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; Modernizing outdated classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities; Measure E makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. Measure E raises funds needed to improve our schools without increasing the current tax rate. 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. Funds can only be spent to improve our local schools, not for teacher or administrative 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! FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Maureen Fitzgerald 1163 East Ave, Chico 95928 Telephone: 530-891-3000 x112 mfitzgerald@chicousd.org (No arguments against Measure E were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from the Superintendent

An election will be held in the Chico Unified School District (the "District") on November 6, 2012 to authorize the sale of $78,000,000 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 $.0000 per $100 ($0.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14. 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 $.01025 per $100 ($10.25 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2022-23. 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 $.04550 per $100 ($45.50 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: 6 July 12 s/ Kelly Staley, Superintendent, Chico Unified Schools

Full Text of Measure E

FULL TEXT BALLOT PROPOSITION OF THE CHICO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND MEASURE ELECTION NOVEMBER 6, 2012 The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Chico Unified School District. "Without increasing current tax rates and to improve the quality of education at local Chico schools, improve student access to computers and modern technology, repair leaky roofs, replace plumbing systems, and upgrade heating, ventilation and cooling systems, shall Chico Unified School District acquire, construct, repair, modernize restrooms, classrooms, school facilities, sites, fields, equipment by issuing $78,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, with independent citizens' oversight and NO money taken by the State or used for administrators' salaries?" PRIORITY SCHOOL PROJECTS LIST The Board of Trustees of the Chico 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 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 operating costs; (ii) Provide modern classroom technology and computers to support academic and job training programs; (iii) Modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms, school facilities and fields; (iv) Replace aging and broken heating, plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other upgrades to reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency; (v) Install energy efficient systems, including solar options; (vi) Retain all bond money to be used in our local community and not allow it to be taken by the State. District-Wide Upgrading of Computer Technology Projects Provide and maintain up-to-date technology, data and communication equipment. Upgrade and replace classroom instructional equipment. School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects Replace older heating, plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems which will conserve electricity and save on costly utility bills. 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. School Health and Safety and Energy Efficiency School Projects Student Safety Install emergency communications and security systems, including fencing. Upgrade schools to meet handicap accessibility requirements. Upgrade fire alarm systems to automatic systems, repair fire safety equipment, add smoke detectors, sprinklers and fire safety doors. Upgrade school site parking, utilities and grounds. Remove hazardous materials. Energy Efficiency Returns Savings to the Classroom Install energy efficient systems, including solar panels, to reduce energy/utility costs and return savings to educational programs. Replace existing window systems with energy efficient systems to reduce costs. Replace outdated heating and ventilation systems. Install water conservation systems. Improve insulation and weather proofing to reduce energy use. 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 interim funding incurred to advance fund projects from the Priority School Projects List and the refinancing of outstanding lease obligations; 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; repair and replacement of heating and ventilation systems; 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 and physical education buildings and properties; repair and replacement of fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; resurfacing or replacing of hard courts, 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. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. Some projects throughout the District 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 andscaping, 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.