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Smart Voter
Santa Cruz County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Measure L
Repair aging Schools
Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Bond - 55% Approval Required

Pass: 22,171 / 68.94% Yes votes ...... 9,990 / 31.06% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of December 4 4:16pm, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (63/63)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To repair aging schools, which support quality education in the Aptos and Watsonville areas, with funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Pajaro Valley Unified School District upgrade classrooms in all schools, repair leaking roofs and aging schools, upgrade computers and instructional technology in all schools, and construct, repair and acquire classrooms, sites and equipment, by issuing $150,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizens' oversight, no money for administrators, independent audits, all funds staying local?

Impartial Analysis from Assistant County Counsel
If approved by at least fifty-five percent of those persons voting, this measure would authorize the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (the "District") to issue bonds in a maximum aggregate principal amount not exceeding $150,000,000. The bonds would constitute an indebtedness of the District.

The money raised through the sale of the bonds may only be used by the District for the purposes stated in the full text ballot proposition and not for teacher or administrator salaries, operating expenses, or other unstated purposes. To ensure that the bond monies are expended for the approved purposes, the Board of Trustees of the District will cause annual, independent performance and financial audits to be conducted, and it will also appoint a citizens' bond oversight committee.

The improvements and projects shown in the full text ballot proposition for Measure L would be accomplished to the extent possible, depending upon costs and other funding sources.

The interest paid on the bonds and their terms to maturity will be limited by State law.

Payment of interest and principal relating to the bonds would be financed by a tax levied on real property within the District, based upon each parcel's assessed value. The Tax Rate Statement for Measure L which is printed in this ballot pamphlet provides information about that tax.

A "yes" vote on Measure L is a vote to authorize the bonds to be issued and financed by ad valorem taxes levied on real property in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

A "no" vote on Measure L is a vote against issuing the proposed bonds.

DANA McRAE, COUNTY COUNSEL
By Jane M. Scott
Assistant County Counsel Santa Cruz

  Official Information

Website for Pajaro Valley Unified School District
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Arguments For Measure L Arguments Against Measure L
Vote YES on Measure L so every local student has access to safe and up-to-date classrooms and learning technology to prepare them to succeed in college and 21st-century careers.

Our local students receive a quality education, yet the average school in our district was built over 50 years ago and is in desperate need of repair. Many schools still need basic classroom technology to support a 21st-century education. Some schools have been updated, while others have not.

By repairing old buildings and cutting utility bills, our schools will save more than $1 million annually that can protect core academic classes, reduce class sizes and retain qualified teachers

Vote YES to support and improve local schools in Aptos and Watsonville:

  • Improve the quality of academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading and writing
  • Repair leaky roofs
  • Remove mold and asbestos
  • Provide up-to-date science and computer labs
  • Update classroom technology and keep it updated over time
  • Upgrade fire-detection, alarms, emergency communication, lighting and security systems


Fiscal accountability is built in to Measure L
  • Every penny will stay local to support our schools
  • Funds cannot be taken away by the State
  • Independent citizens' oversight is required
  • None of the money can be used to increase salaries, benefits or pensions
  • Qualifies our schools for state matching funds


Our schools have been devastated by the economy and state budget cuts. Measure L provides locally-controlled funding to improve our schools.


Good schools make our neighborhoods more desirable and protect property values for all of us.


Measure L will create jobs for local residents, pump money back into our community and help get our local economy back on track.


Vote YES on L to protect quality education in Pajaro Valley schools.

s/ Athena Wolfe
Chair, Aptos High School Technology Committee
s/ Ellen Pirie
Santa Cruz County Supervisor
s/ Brian King
President, Cabrillo Community College
s/ Terry Medina
Watsonville Police Chief (Ret.)
s/ Carol Keeney, COPA Leader*
Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action

  • Signing on behalf of the organization listed below the name.

Rebuttal to Arguments For
ANOTHER BIG LOSER


VOTE NO on MEASURE L
MANY MORE MILLIONS IN BOND TAXES


Look at your current Property Tax Bill. Please add up all your taxes and fees. 20 more years to payoff existing Bonds. Measure L wants another 35 years? Additionally, there are two Cabrillo College tax bonds still being collected.


FACT: Total Price + Interest Paid == OVER $ 500 MILLION DOLLARS!
UNFAIR DISTRIBUTION OF TAX MONEY COLLECTED


The Lion's share of Measure L bond tax will be imposed in Aptos.
Yet, school children from the North Zone will proportionally receive less.
Unfair distribution of this costly new tax burden was never publicly disclosed.


FACT: Not One Public Hearing was ever conducted in Aptos!
NO GUARANTEES FOR PROJECTED SAVINGS


Administrators tout that there are projected savings from Measure L projects.
However, there are no guarantees for funding with future School Boards.


FACT: General Funds are used for higher Salaries, Benefits & Pensions.
MILLIONS WILL NOT BE SPENT LOCALLY


PVUSD officials have engaged an out-of-town, big corporate bond counsel for selling Measure L bonds. Millions in underwriting commission fees will be paid. This outsider company is first to grab Millions in payouts from Measure L.


FACT: Work Contracts should be given to the lowest responsible bidders.
COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS & EXPENSIVE LAWSUITS


Caltrans Division of Aeronautics have safety concerns, and Coastal Commission prohibitions have not been legally resolved. Our money for kids or lawyers?

FACT: City of Watsonville officials have Lost similar cases in State Court.
VOTE NO on MEASURE L

s/ Tom Walsh, Executive Director*
The Senior Coalition
s/ Emilio Martinez
Watsonville City Councilman
s/ Alex Solano
Former PVUSD Trustee, Watsonville/Monterey County Area
s/ Gina Locatelli
Vice President, Santa Cruz County Board of Education
s/ Vic Marani
School Board Trustee, Santa Cruz County Board of Education

  • Signing on behalf of the organization listed below the name.
Vote NO on Measure L ANOTHER BIG LOSER


"We have spent our lives helping kids & serving the local community. Read our Names at the bottom of this page. Please remember our lifelong motivation. We stand united to help the Voters understand essential facts:
Measure L is just Another Big Loser for everyone concerned."

  • BAD ECONOMY - Home Foreclosures dominate real estate markets. Unemployment rates are at record high levels. Federal & State deficits are now calculated into the multi Billions of Dollars. Skyrocketing food, energy, and gasoline costs are crippling. Is this really the time for the largest and most expensive School Bond Tax in the history of Santa Cruz County?

  • COSTLY TAX BURDEN - Negative impacts on property owners and renters during this Great Depression are both substantial and very shocking. PVUSD is imposing another huge tax burden upon our community. Soon, PVUSD Taxes could be well over $ 200 Million Dollars combined!

  • NO EXEMPTIONS for SENIORS OR DISABLED PERSONS Bond taxation does not allow exemptions for our most vulnerable citizens. Many Seniors & Disabled Persons will risk losing their homes if taxes climb.

  • NEGLECTED NEEDS - California has provided many Millions in funds annually to repair important health & safety needs for our schools. Now ask: Where is all the money? PVUSD has exploited the legitimate plight of older South-County schools to grab a MASSIVE TAXPAYER FUNDED BAILOUT!

  • VIOLATED TRUST- The former Superintendent and the PVUSD were investigated by a Santa Cruz County Grand Jury. Serious conflict of interest violations were cited, and practices of mishandling public monies was noted.


STOP this Loser Proposition!
Can you trust them with over $ 200 million of your school tax dollars?


Please Help Volunteer: (831) 684-8172


Vote NO on Measure L
ANOTHER BIG LOSER

s/ Dan Chauvet, Past President*
Watsonville Pilots Association
s/ Rhea DeHart
Former PVUSD Trustee, City of Watsonville Area
s/ Joseph O. Moreno, Jr.
Former PVUSD Trustee, Aptos/Freedom Area
s/ Sharon Gray
Former PVUSD Trustee, Aptos/La Selva Area
s/ Jim Miller
PVUSD Bond Oversight Committee Member

  • Signing on behalf of the organization listed below the name.

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
Don't let the opponents mislead you.


Measure L presents a clear choice--do we want local students to have safe classrooms that meet the demands of the 21st century? Or do we want our classrooms to deteriorate further and compromise the education of a generation?


If you support Aptos and Watsonville students and want them to receive a quality education, then vote YES.


Here's the truth:


Local students need Measure L: Without safe facilities and updated classroom technology, we cannot prepare our students for college or today's careers. Measure L will upgrade every school--a detailed project list can be viewed at http://www.FriendsOfPVSchools.org.


Measure L is a conservative measure: It addresses the most urgent needs facing our schools.


The State takes funding away from our schools every year: In the past five years, the State has taken $18.5 million from PVUSD schools. Measure L is the only way to upgrade our schools.


Measure L will boost our economy: Measure L will create local construction jobs and give our local economy the boost it needs.


Measure L will protect property values: Our schools draw families into our community, creating a strong demand for homes that protects property values for everyone. Measure L is the best investment we can make in our property values.


Most importantly, Measure L supports local students: Every penny will be locally controlled and stay in our community.


Measure L is a wise investment in our students and community. Vote YES on L.

s/ Teresa Carrubba
PVUSD Bond Oversight Committee Member
s/ Gregory A. Crandall
Chair Aptos High Site Counsel
s/ Kim Turley
Realtor
s/ "Libby" Wilson
Former PVUSD Trustee Aptos/Corralitos Areas
s/ Jacob Martinez
Technology Career Educator/Parent

Tax Rate Statement
To: The voters voting in the November 6, 2012 election on the question of the issuance of $150,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.


You are hereby notified in accordance with Section 9401 of the Elections Code of the State of California of the following:


1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds (Fiscal Year 2013-2014), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is the following: $.03800 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $38.00 per $100,000.


2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the last sale of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows:


$.03800 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $38.00 per $100,000.


First fiscal year after last sale of bonds: 2022-2023


3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments on the bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows:


$.03800 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $38.00 per $100,000.


Year of highest tax rate: Tax is projected to be the same every year.


The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only. 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 its 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. Accordingly, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as above stated.


Submittal of the foregoing statement has been approved by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

s/ Dorma Baker
Superintendent
Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Full Text of Measure L
See Official Web Page for Measure L http://www.votescount.com/nov12/meal.pdf


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Created: December 17, 2012 13:46 PST
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