Pass: 843 / 64.06% Yes votes ...... 473 / 35.94% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Summary Prepared by President, Sonoma County Junior College District:

PROJECT LIST

The Board of Trustees of the Sonoma County Junior College District, to be responsive to the needs of its community, evaluated Santa Rosa Junior College's urgent and critical facility needs, and its capacity to provide local area students and veterans with support facilities, an affordable education and prepare them for success in college and careers. Job training, career technical education, safety, enrollment, class size and class offerings, and information and computer technology infrastructure were each considered, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. In identifying the scope of projects, the Board has developed a Master Strategic Capital Projects Plan (June 2014), incorporated herein by reference, which prioritized facilities available to support an affordable education for local area students, help veterans prepare to reenter the workforce, offer career technical education in skilled trades, and workforce job training, so that Santa Rosa Junior College remains an effective place for learning and training. In the course of developing the Project List, public input was received from many constituents. It was concluded that if these facility needs were not addressed now, the Santa Rosa Junior College would be unable to remain competitive in preparing students for jobs in high demand industries and university transfer. The Board concluded that the longer they waited to repair and upgrade the several campuses of Santa Rosa Junior College, the more expensive it would be. In upgrading facilities, the Board of Trustees determines that Santa Rosa Junior College MUST: (i) Provide better access to an AFFORDABLE, LOW-COST, HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION closer to home for local students which is needed to successfully transfer to four-year universities; and (ii) TRAIN LOCAL STUDENTS for LOCAL JOBS AND CAREERS in healthcare, public safety, agriculture and building trades, as high school graduates should not have to leave their community to get skilled training they need for these local industries; and (iii) Provide training and workforce preparation education for students of all ages, including in public safety, nursing and health care, auto mechanics, building trades, science, technology, agriculture and others; and (iv) Provide classrooms and laboratories for a growing enrollment so that Santa Rosa Junior College can better serve more students today and in the future; and (v) Adhere to stringent FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards including: (a) REQUIRE ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDITS, (b) Require citizens' oversight of all funds, (c) No funds will be used for administrators' salaries and pensions, (d) ALL FUNDS WILL BE SUBJECT TO LOCAL CONTROL AND WILL REMAIN LOCAL WITH SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE.

The following types of projects are authorized to be undertaken at Santa Rosa Junior College:

Academic Facility and Technology Upgrade Projects to Help Students, Active Military and Veterans Transfer to Four-Year Universities or be Trained for Today's Jobs

Goal and Purpose: Ensuring students and veterans are either prepared for transfer to University of California or the State college systems or trained for in-demand, good paying jobs are major objectives of Santa Rosa Junior College.

Veterans are an increasing percentage of the Santa Rosa Junior College student body. This measure will upgrade and expand veteran support facilities and job training to ensure that the growing number of returning service members receive the support they need as they re-enter the civilian workforce or seek to transfer to a four-year college to earn their degrees.

Santa Rosa Junior College provides essential job training and workforce preparation for students of all ages + and the demand for career education is growing steadily. This measure will support workforce training and education in public safety, nursing and health care, auto mechanics, building trades, science, technology, agriculture, and many others. High school graduates should not have to leave their community to get the skilled training they need for these local industries.

• Upgrade and expand facilities (some dating back to the 1950's) for career training in well-paying careers and transfer to universities.
• Provide career technical education in fields such as vocational engineering, welding, auto mechanics and building trades.
• Modernize and expand job training centers for nursing and other health care fields.
• Keep instructional technology updated over time.
• Expand course offerings, classrooms and instructional facilities in core academic classes, by building a new Santa Rosa Lab and Classroom Complex.
• Expand facilities for veterans to provide career training and support services to returning veterans seeking training or retraining to reenter the workforce.
• Upgrade outdated science, math and computer labs and expand College facilities providing instruction in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
• Upgrade outdated job-training classrooms, labs and equipment to provide all students with opportunities to learn job skills, by modernizing the 34 year-old Lounibos building.
• Upgrade classroom technology to provide instruction that gives students 21st Century skills.
• Upgrade and replace technology systems used for job training and retraining programs.
• Improve laboratories to prepare students to work in the fast-growing local job market of information technology and engineering.
• Update 50-year old Bailey Hall and Button Building.
• Expand math and science complex to train students in fields such as engineering, biology, chemistry and other sciences, by constructing a new Science-Mathematics Building.
• Expand Public Safety Training Center in Windsor to support police, emergency medical care and fire science programs.
• Expand classroom capacity at Petaluma campus, particularly for science, engineering and health science instruction.

Goal and Purpose: Since the cost of attending a public university has risen to as much as six (6) times that of attending Santa Rosa Junior College, students rely on Santa Rosa Junior College to save as much as $35,000 in tuition on their way to a four-year degree. Therefore, keeping the College's facilities upgraded will help ensure that our local community college can provide our high school graduates and other local residents with access to high-quality, affordable college options closer to home.

This measure will update outdated 50- to 60-year-old classrooms, laboratories and facilities that need important health and safety upgrades. This includes repairing leaky roofs and deteriorating electrical, plumbing, heating, and mechanical systems, helping to avoid even more expensive repairs down the road.

• Repair aging roofs, and upgrade disabled accessibility, electrical and plumbing systems.
• Improve heating, ventilation, insulation, doors, lighting, and windows to increase energy efficiency and save money; install alternative energy systems.
• Upgrade outdated electrical systems and wiring for computer technology and Internet access.
• Renovate, repair or replace outdated laboratories, classrooms, training centers and support facilities.
• Ensure facilities meet earthquake and fire safety codes.
• Expand and modernize the automotive technology center with newer equipment to teach students how to repair modern cars and trucks, including computerized parts.

• ** FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY This bond measure has strict accountability requirements including (a) an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee with representation from throughout our region; (b) annual financial audits to make sure money is being spent as promised; (c) no money from this measure will go towards salaries or pensions, and (d) all money will stay local and cannot be taken by Sacramento politicians.

2. FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. 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.

3. BOND ISSUANCE LIMITS. (a) No bonds shall be issued until the Board has identified projects to be funded. (b) Bonds must be phased in over time so that project success can be determined before more bonds are issued. (c) Bonds must have a term not longer than the useful life of the project or equipment being financed. (d) The availability of State and Federal matching funds shall be considered in selecting projects.

• ** 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. In addition to the listed projects stated above, authorized projects also include the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including the reduction or retirement of outstanding lease obligations and interim funding incurred to advance fund projects from 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 college activities caused by construction projects. In addition to the projects listed above, repair, renovation and construction projects may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovation of student and staff restrooms; replace aging electrical and plumbing systems; repair and replacement of heating and ventilation systems; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies, including photovoltaic/solar installations; repair and replacement of worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls doors and drinking fountains; removal of outdated buildings and construction of new classrooms and support buildings; installation of wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; upgrade facilities to meet current earthquake safety standards; repair and replacement of fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; install phone tower system in case of emergencies; improve roadway crossings and signage; upgrading, resurfacing, replacing or relocating of hard courts, fields, turf and irrigation systems; upgrade classrooms; build or upgrade facilities for math, physical sciences, and horticulture; upgrade/construct parking lots/garages; repair, upgrade and install interior and exterior lighting systems; replace water and sewer lines and other plumbing systems; construct, upgrade or expand a health sciences and public safety training center, student union, veterans' support facility, hospitality and agri-science center, allied career technical center, industrial technology building, physical sciences building, foreign language, humanities buildings, physical education and aquatic facilities, administrative offices, 54 year-old maintenance yard/warehouse/building, outdoor education labs, instructional buildings, science and technology building, athletic fields, parking lots, turf; improve water conservation and energy efficiency; at the Petaluma campus, expand the science complex and renovate and expand the student services center; at the Shone Farm, improve classrooms, labs and student housing; expand the Southwest Santa Rosa Center; replace outdated security systems; replace existing window systems with energy-efficient systems to reduce costs; improve insulation, weatherproofing and roofs to reduce costs; improve access for the disabled; install and repair fire safety equipment, including alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, emergency lighting, and fire safety doors; replace broken concrete walks, deteriorated asphalt; replace/upgrade existing signage, bells and clocks; demolition of unsafe facilities; install new security systems, such as security (surveillance) cameras, outdoor lighting, fencing, gates and classroom door locks; improve drainage systems; upgrade roadway and pedestrian paths for improved safety and access for emergency vehicles, site parking, utilities and grounds. The project list also includes the refinancing of outstanding lease obligations. Modernization projects are expected at numerous facilities, including but not limited to Tauzer Gym (79 years old), Haehl pavilion (33 years old), Emeritus Hall (36 years old), Burbank Auditorium (74 years old), Kathleen Doyle/Jacob Halls (20 years old), Analy Hall (74 years old), Bussman Hall (74 years old), Forsyth Hall (34 years old), Garcia Hall (78 years old), Pioneer Hall (83 years old), Baker Hall (49 years old), Maggini Hall (24 years old), Call Center, and facilities housing District-wide support services. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, the funding of a technology endowment, LCD projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection systems, information systems, printers, digital white boards, upgrade voice-over-IP, communication systems, new computer systems, call manager and network security/firewall, Internet connectivity, wireless systems, technology infrastructure, and other miscellaneous equipment.

TAX RATE STATEMENT Sonoma County Junior College District Bond Measure H

To: The voters voting in the November 4, 2014 election on the question of the issuance of $410,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Sonoma County Junior College 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 2015-2016), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is the following: $.02500 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $25.00 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 (Fiscal Year 2021-22) based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows: $.02500 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $25.00 per $100,000.
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: $.02500 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $25.00 per $100,000 in 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.

s/ Dr. Frank Chang, President Superintendent/President Sonoma County Junior College District

Impartial Analysis from County Counsels, Sonoma, Marin & Mendocino Counties

The California Constitution allows school districts to borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for construction, repair, replacement, and acquisition of school facilities if 55 percent of the voters who vote on the measure approve the sale of the bonds. The Sonoma County Junior College District Board of Trustees has called for an election in Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino Counties and placed on the ballot the question of whether to issue bonds in the amount of $410 million for construction, repairs, and improvements of District classrooms and school facilities.

Money raised by bond sales can be used for the purposes and projects stated in the Project List set forth in the Measure. Projects include but are not limited to constructing, upgrading, and expanding veterans' support, job training, and other facilities; modernization projects at numerous facilities; repairs of roofs and electrical, plumbing, heating, and mechanical systems; and refinancing or retirement of outstanding lease obligations. As required by state law, the measure prohibits using bond proceeds for teacher or administrator salaries or other operating expenses.

The inclusion of a project on the Project List does not a guarantee that the project will be funded or completed. Some projects may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other public or non-profit agencies. The Project List does not imply any particular prioritization among improvements.

If the Measure is adopted, the District's Board will conduct annual, independent financial and performance audits to ensure that bond proceeds have been expended only on the projects on the Bond Project List. In addition, a Citizens' Oversight Committee will be established within sixty days of the entry of the election results on the Board's minutes. The proceeds of the bonds will be maintained in a separate account in the County Treasury, and the Board must receive an annual report on the status of projects undertaken and the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year.

If the Measure is approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in series over time. The funds to repay the bonds would be raised by an increase in property taxes based upon the value of land and improvements in the District. The interest rate on the bonds would depend on the market rate at the time the bonds are sold, but cannot exceed the rate set by state law. The Tax Rate Statement prepared by the District Superintendent, which follows this analysis, estimates the property tax levies required to pay off the bonds. The estimated tax levies are a projection, and could go up or down, depending on a number of factors including the timing and amount of bond sales, and changes in assessed value of property in the District.

s/Bruce D. Goldstein Sonoma County Counsel

s/Douglas L. Losak Acting Mendocino County Counsel

s/Steven M. Woodside Marin County Counsel