League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Mateo County, CA November 5, 2013 Election
	Measure S School Bond Las Lomitas Elementary School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 2,305 / 73.9% Yes votes ...... 812 / 26.1% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure S

Protect the outstanding education children receive at Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School. VOTE YES on Measure S. In 2001 when voters approved the last bond to modernize our neighborhood schools, all school improvement projects were completed on time and within budget. Today (12 years later) student enrollment has increased by over 40% and our two schools need more classrooms. Twenty percent of our children go to school in portables. At La Entrada the entire fifth grade attends class in portable classrooms. Measure S will: Replace portables with new two-story permanent classrooms to maintain small class sizes and accommodate rapid growth in student enrollment Invest in modern instructional technology and equipment to protect academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading and writing Bring facilities up to current health and safety code standards Upgrade classrooms and learning spaces with science and technology capabilities Make both campuses accessible for disabled children Repair or replace old buildings and systems to save significantly on utility bills. Every penny of Measure S will be locally controlled to improve Las Lomitas and La Entrada school facilities and technology. By law these funds cannot be taken away by the State. Taxpayer protections are REQUIRED . No funds can be spent on administrators' salaries or pensions. Only facilities, technology and equipment upgrades are allowed. An independent citizens' oversight committee will ensure all funds are spent properly. Measure S is a smart investment. Good schools protect property values and keep our community strong. j oin local teachers, parents, and civic leaders and vote yes to support quality schools, maintain property values, and ensure that our children get the highest level of education possible so they can thrive in high school and beyond. Please VOTE YES on Measure S. /s/ William H. Draper August 13,2013 41-year Atherton resident /s/ Karen Fryling August 13, 2013 Realtor, Coldwell Banker /s/ Rich Ginn August 13, 2013 Las Lomitas Elementary School District Board President /s/ Sue Sartor August 13, 2013 Las Lomitas Principal /s/ Ray Mueller August 14, 2013 Menlo Park Mayor Pro Tem No Argument Against M (No arguments against Measure S were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Las Lomitas School District (the "District") on November 5, 2013, to authorize the sale of up to $60,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance projects as described in the measure. If such bonds are authorized and sold, principal and interest on the bonds will be payable only 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, the following information is provided: 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 a projection of assessed valuations, is $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2014-15. 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 a projection of assessed valuations, is $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2020-21. 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on a projection of assessed valuations, is $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2014-15 and the subsequent fiscal years thereafter. v oters should note the estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED v ALUE 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. 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 the 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/ Lisa Cesario Superintendent

Full Text of Measure S

"To repair and improve aging schools to protect quality academic education with funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, shall Las Lomitas Elementary School District build classrooms for increased student enrollment, update/replace aging classrooms to meet current health/safety codes, renovate heating/electrical systems to save money, support 21 st century instructional technology, acquire, repair, construct sites, facilities, equipment by issuing $60,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with citizens' oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds staying local?" PROJECT LIST The Board of Trustees of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, taking into consideration safety issues, enrollment growth, other neighborhood schools, target class sizes, infrastructure needs and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District made both demographic projections and facilities evaluations and received public input on both. The District also prepared a Master Facilities Plan which was approved by the Board on February 13, 2013 and which is incorporated herein and on file at the District's Superintendent's Office. Teachers, staff, community members and the Board have prioritized the key needs including getting the buildings current with health and safety regulations. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only get worse and cost will increase if not addressed now. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Trustees determines that: (i) every penny of this measure must benefit local schools, be controlled locally and cannot be taken away by the State; and (ii) any measure must be subject to citizen oversight and annual audits to keep the District accountable for how funds are spent; and (iii) in responding to 40% enrollment growth during the last ten years by upgrading both Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School, priority must be given to relieving overcrowding and protecting the quality of instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading and writing; and (iv) the District should provide all students access to similar safe, and modern classrooms and to 21 st Century science labs; and (v) the District should reduce operating costs by improving energy efficiency when repairing and replacing old buildings and aging heating systems and invest the savings to protect core academics. The Project List includes the following types of projects: Relieve School Overcrowding by Adding Classrooms and Repairing and Improving Aging Schools to Accommodate a Growing Student Enrollment Goal and Purpose: The District's student population increased by 40 percent in the last 10 years. To relieve this overcrowding and to be eligible for State and local matching funds, and to enhance educational programs within the District, the District would benefit from the improvement and/ or expansion of facilities, such as: Construct new two-story classrooms/classroom buildings and remove portable classrooms to accommodate more students and preserve play space. Provide additional classrooms to maintain small class sizes. Renovate existing classrooms and educational support facilities. Accessibility upgrades as mandated by the Division of the State Architect (DSA). Core School Renovation, Repairs and Upgrades Goal and Purpose : To maintain school sites comparable to neighboring districts in terms of safety and conduciveness for learning, the District will benefit from the renovation, repair and upgrade of outdated school buildings, including bathrooms, plumbing and sewer lines, classrooms, technology infrastructure, science labs, libraries and equipment, allowing all children to have the resources they need to learn: Upgrade classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities so that they comply with current health and safety standards and are accessible for students and adults. Replace existing water, sewer and plumbing systems to meet current codes. Update electrical wiring to relieve overloaded electrical systems to handle modern wireless networks to support new classroom instructional technology. Replace older windows, ceilings, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems, which will save money on operating costs. Provide improved, up-to-date classrooms. District-Wide Instructional Technology For Effective Learning Environment Goal and Purpose : To make up-to-date classroom instructional technology a part of everyday classroom instruction so that our graduates are prepared to compete in a competitive 21 st century job market, and to facilitate student achievement and our tradition of academic excellence: Provide the technology infrastructure needed to support 21 st Century instruction in safe, up-to-date classrooms and school. Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, and Internet and network connections, including network servers. Upgrade electrical systems and install wireless network to support new classroom and instructional technology. School Health and Safety and Cost-Saving Energy Efficiency Projects Goal and Purpose : Since good, clean, safe, well-maintained and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values and reduce maintenance and operating costs returning more money to the classroom for teachers and academic programs, schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of health and safety projects, such as: Make schools safe by removing asbestos, lead paint, mold and hazardous materials. Upgrade fire alarm systems which are compatible with local fire department regulations, repair fire safety equipment, add sprinklers and fire safety doors to make students safe in the event of an emergency. Replace old and inefficient windows, lighting, irrigation, heating and ventilation systems which waste money and use the savings to prevent cuts to instructional programs. Replace/upgrade existing security systems. Install energy efficient systems, including solar panels, to save money and return the savings to the classroom. * * 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 management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency, and escalation for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List also includes the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, environmental studies, construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to LCD projectors, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection systems, laser printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgrade voice-over- IP, call manager and network security/firewall, and financial reporting software. The repair of school facilities includes the upgrading/expanding school site parking, utilities, multi-use rooms, grounds, playground equipment, hard court surfaces, site acquisition, site paving, shade structures for student assembly and protecting students from inclement weather during lunch, expanding lunch areas, science labs, libraries and District support facilities, upgrading courtyard spaces, build new art and multi-use buildings, athletic and play fields and turf may be upgraded for safety and operational efficiency, demolition of existing facilities, upgrade administrative and support space, roof replacement, upgrade student drop-off areas, eliminate dry rot, painting, carpet replacement, install security systems and fencing, improve interior and exterior floor covering, doors, drinking fountains, portable classrooms, gyms, kitchens and music rooms, and improvements to the District administrative sites and facilities. The Project List also includes the refinancing of any bridge loans taken to initiate voter approved projects. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the final costs of each project. Depending on final costs, 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. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids 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 enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Some projects, such as fields, libraries, physical education facilities may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public agencies. Necessary site preparation/restoration and landscaping, 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, redirecting fire access, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the specific purposes identified herein. 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 the bond projects. 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.