League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure H Safety and Repair Measure Piedmont Unified School District Bond Measure - 55% Approval Required Fail: 1801 / 47.66% Yes votes ...... 1978 / 52.34% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure H

Arguments Against Measure H

The Piedmont High School theater is nearly 40 years old and in need of significant safety and accessibility upgrades and repairs. The theater is heavily used as a classroom, auditorium, and performing arts facility for the Piedmont schools and community. The theater/auditorium has been determined to have fire/life safety issues and does not meet the legal accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Without significant renovations, the theater may need to close. Measure H will: Provide handicapped accessibility to seating, restrooms, stage, orchestra area, and classrooms; Provide fire/life safety improvements to the ventilation, exit lighting, and sprinkler systems; Upgrade the mechanical, electrical, and utility systems of the facility; Improve energy efficiency, lighting, and sound systems; Renovate aging restrooms for health and safety; Add/improve classroom space for the high school performing arts program; Add/improve performance space for the K-12 performing arts program. Most Piedmont students benefit from the K-12 performing arts program while attending the Piedmont schools. The school theater serves as a drama/acting classroom; a place for student assemblies, vocal and instrumental music concerts, plays, musicals, dance performances, and parent education programs. The theater also provides Piedmont residents with community events from an Education Speaker Series to the Bird Calling Contest. All use this public facility. All of the money raised by this measure will stay in our community. State modernization funds and private donations will reduce the cost to local homeowners. A citizens' committee made up of accountants, business leaders, and local citizens will monitor the project to make sure every dollar is properly spent. Please join us in voting YES on Measure H for a Safe School Theater. Dana L. Copeland, President, Piedmont High School Parents Club Hilary Cooper, President, Piedmont Middle School Parents Club Bryan Cantrill, President, Beach Parents Organization Jenny Lynn, President, Havens Parent Club Ereca Miller, President, Wildwood Parent Club Rebuttal to Arguments For The School Board leadership continues to assert that the Alan Harvey Theater (AHT) could be shutdown at any time due to ADA violations. We should not deceive voters to garner their support for much needed upgrades at an aging high school and middle school campus. We feel we are being asked to pay for a new Porsche and getting a rebuilt VW. The architect was charged with "examining the building's integrity" and developing a plan to "repair" the AHT. This proposed renovation of a 17,424 square-foot facility is budgeted for $14.5 million ($836/SF) and decreases capacity to only 365 seats. How does this compare to recent demolition and new theater construction costs in the Bay Area? San Leandro built a 27,931 SF high school theater for $13.86 million ($496/SF, actual cost) which included: 550 seats (with balcony); fly rigging system; set storage; and green room; optimized acoustics and 3-channel sound; sound stage with control room; a multi-media production room; student instruction on using these facilities; additional classrooms Pinole Valley is going to replicate the much touted El Cerrito 16,846 SF theater and has budgeted $10 million ($594/SF) which includes: 600 seats (with balcony); fly rigging system; set storage; and green room; optimized acoustics and 3-channel sound; additional classrooms We feel it is irresponsible to support the current renovation plan and associated costs at this juncture. Push the "pause" button. Vote NO on Measure H. Alicia Kalamas Piedmont Voter

We enthusiastically support development of a comprehensive and enhanced performing arts program for the PUSD. The current Ballot Measure and bond structure fail to address this objective and we are being asked to pay too much for what we will be getting. Specifically: 1/ There are no provisions for improving upon and/or expanding the existing performing arts curriculum (i.e. the current funding structure does not allow for this) 2/ The proposed renovation fails to address several components considered basic elements of a modern theater including a theatrical rigging system for hoisting equipment safely between scenes and space for storing the intricately crafted and potentially reusable sets. The existing glass walls contribute to the acoustical failure of the theater and cannot be addressed with a renovation. Furthermore, the proposed renovation will result in fewer seats requiring more than 2 assemblies to accommodate our high school student body. 3/ There are no provisions for proper maintenance and upkeep of the new structure. Contrary to what has been asserted, the existing facility allows ADA access to the stage, dressing rooms, and theater seating. ADA access to the front row can be achieved by adding a ramp from the quad. There is no history of a theatre being shut down for an ADA violation. The issue of ADA compliance is being used as a scare tactic and is creating a false sense of urgency. As a community we only consider a renovation of this magnitude every forty to fifty years. Since we are being asked to make a tremendous investment in our bricks and mortar, we should spend some additional time exploring all potential concepts for renovation including the cost of a brand new theater. After all, making modifications to an existing structure can lead to substantial unanticipated cost overruns (e.g. utility undergrounding). Alicia Kalamas Piedmont Voter Rebuttal to Arguments Against The lone opponent of Measure H agrees that the high school theater needs to be repaired and renovated. Ms. Kalamas suggests, however, that we should look at "the cost of a brand new theater." Architects and facilities planners spent over a year developing a thoughtful plan. A brand new theater would cost double to triple what this renovation will cost. Measure H does not propose a complete rebuild of the theater. It provides necessary essential modifications to address handicapped accessibility (required by law) to students and the public. Without these improvements the school district faces significant legal and financial risks. This is neither false nor a scare tactic. It is the truth. In addition, the theater renovation will include safety improvements with fire and life safety upgrades; better mechanical, electrical and utility systems; replacement of aging restrooms; and added classroom space. Piedmont's arts programs (which include instrumental music, visual arts, dance, choral as well as drama programs) touch every child in the community. Like our athletic facilities, Piedmont's theater is used not just for students, but the entire community. Adequate, safe, and accessible facilities are essential for quality instruction. Every penny raised by Measure H will stay in our community. No money will be spent on administrators nor can be taken away by the State. Measure H is supported by current and former Piedmont school board members, teachers, every parent organization and the Piedmont Educational Foundation. Please vote YES for safety, accessibility, and educational opportunity for all Piedmont children. John Chiang, Former Mayor Susan Hill, Former Mayor Michael Bruck, Former Mayor Valerie Matzger, Former Mayor Abe Friedman, Former Mayor

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Piedmont Unified School District (the "District") on June 3, 2014, to authorize the sale of up to $13,500,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in one series. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable 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. 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.017 per $100 ($17 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.017 per $100 ($17 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2014-15. 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 $0.050 per $100 ($50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2020-21. Voters should note that these estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property in the District as shown on the official tax rolls of Alameda County, 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. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone the payment of taxes. 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 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 the bond sale, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of the sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The estimates are based upon the District's projections and are not binding upon the District. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors. The District does not anticipate using bonds that will compound in interest (Capital Appreciation Bonds). Also, the District expects to repay the bonds in 13 years. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be 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 Alameda County property tax assessors in the annual assessment and the equalization process. A final decision on bond structure will be made by the Board of Education based on market interest rates and conditions at the time of issuance. Dated: February 28, 2014 Constance Hubbard, Superintendent Piedmont Unified School District