League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure M General Obligation Bonds Gravenstein Union School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 1,971 / 66.0% Yes votes ...... 1,015 / 34.0% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure M

Everyone knows the value and importance of having quality schools. From higher achieving students to greater neighborhood safety and improved property values, quality schools make a difference. While our teachers and staff do a great job of educating our children, many classrooms and school facilities in the Gravenstein Union School District are outdated and inadequate to provide students with the facilities they need to succeed. This is why our students need your Yes vote on Measure M! Although Gravenstein Elementary and Hillcrest Middle School have been well maintained over the years, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century standards. Measure M would allow the District to improve our local schools and the quality of education provided to our children. By investing in our schools, we can meet today's safety, technological, and educational standards and improve our community. If passed, Measure M will provide funding to make critical facility improvements at our local schools by: Improving student access to modern technology; making health, safety, and accessibility improvements; improving classroom energy efficiency; modernizing and renovating classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities; and upgrading outdated electrical systems. In fact, the Sonoma County Taxpayers Association endorses Measure M, praising our District's "track record of educational achievement coupled with prudent financial management..." Measure M makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. All funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state; By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee; and Funds can only be spent to improve our local schools, not for teacher or administrator salaries. MeasureMupgrades and renovates old and inadequate classrooms, improves the education of our children, and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we all can support. Please join us and Vote Yes on Measure M! SONOMA COUNTY TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION s/ Jack Atkin, President s/ Jeff Weaver Board Member, District Resident s/ Arif Virji Parent, Homeowner & Attorney s/ Barbara Oakley Grandparent, Homeowner s/ Amy Gloeckner parent, homeowner (No arguments against Measure M were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent, Gravenstein Union School District

An election will be held in the Gravenstein Union School District (the "District") on November 6, 2012 to authorize the sale of $6,000,000 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 $.0300 per $100 ($30.00 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 $.0300 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2018-19. 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 $.0300 per $100 ($30.00 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. s/ Linda La Marre Superintendent Gravenstein Union School District

Full Text of Measure M

APPENDIX A BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $6.0 million in aggregated principal at interest rates below the legal limit and to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List described below, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below. ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this measure so that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely. Expenditures to address specific facilities needs of the District will be 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 School Board has identified detailed facilities needs of the District and has determined which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The School Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List shown below. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The School Board shall establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, under Education Code Sections 15278 and following, to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. The committee will be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the School Board. Performance Audits. The School Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. Financial Audits. The School 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 below. Government Code Accountability Requirements. As required by Section 53410 of the Government Code, (1) the specific purpose of the bonds is set forth in this Full Text of the Measure, (2) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in this Measure, and not for any other purpose, (3) the proceeds of the bonds, when and if issued, will be deposited into a building fund to be held by the Sonoma County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code, and (4) the Superintendent of the District shall cause an annual report to be filed with the Governing Board of the District not later than January 1 of each year, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in this Measure, as required by Sections 53410 and 53411 of the Government Code. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS No Teacher or Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities, including the payment and/or prepayment of school facility leases, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. State Matching Funds. The following statement is included in this measure pursuant to Education Code Section 15122.5: Approval of this measure does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the School District that are the subject of bonds under this measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this measure. 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. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List shown below is a part of the ballot measure and must be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond measure. Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended to modernize, replace, renovate, construct, acquire, lease, and otherwise improve the facilities of the District, including all incidental costs, located at Gravenstein Elementary School and Hillcrest Middle School. The specific school facilities projects to be funded include, but shall not be limited to: Renovate, repair, construct and/or upgrade classrooms, restrooms and school facilities Repair or replace leaky roofs Upgrade inadequate electrical systems Install, replace or upgrade fire alarm and security systems Improve technology infrastructure and increase student access to computers and modern technology Make health, safety and handicapped accessibility (ADA) improvements Make facility improvements to increase the District's energy efficiency, including replacing outdated and inefficient windows and lighting Upgrade school site parking, utilities and grounds Install solar energy systems Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increased capacity Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades including but not limited to site access, parking access, staff and student restroom access, relocation of certain existing electrical devices and drinking fountain and playground equipment accessibility Abate and remove hazardous materials identified prior or during construction Federal and State-mandated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety upgrades including playground equipment replacement Repair, replace and/or upgrade paved surfaces, turf, and other grounds to eliminate safety hazards and improve outside instructional areas The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of 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 list also includes interim funding incurred to advance fund projects from the 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 costs of the temporary relocation housing of displaced District facilities including storage 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, air-conditioning and ventilation systems; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies; repair and replacement of worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls, doors and drinking fountains; acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease purchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities; 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, 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, sound projection systems, digital white boards, 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 will 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. The order in which school facilities projects are listed does not suggest an order of priority and the District is unable to anticipate all unforeseen circumstances which may prevent some of the projects listed above from being undertaken or completed.