League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Mendocino County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Measure Q Bonds Laytonville Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 610 / 68.69% Yes votes ...... 278 / 31.31% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Q	Arguments Against Measure Q
In the Laytonville Unified School District, we educate local students from pre-school through high school. We facilitate a culture of high academic standards and an atmosphere of caring and respect, preparing our students for success throughout their lives. Our schools serve as community centers and are a great source of pride + but now they need our help. Vote YES on Measure "Q"! In 2000, more than two-thirds of us supported our schools and approved Measure "D", which allowed the District to obtain more than $5.5 million from Sacramento and build the new Laytonville High School. However, while classrooms and buildings at the elementary school have been well maintained over the years, they are old and need to be repaired or replaced, and there are other projects that could help us improve the educational experience we provide to students. While we can't afford to do everything at once, we also cannot afford to ignore the needs! Vote YES on Measure "Q"! To replace facilities that are more than 60 years old with 21st Century classrooms + and complete other important improvements + the Board has placed Measure "Q" on the November 4th ballot. Vote YES on Measure "Q" because it will: Repair, replace and upgrade our oldest classrooms and facilities Increase efficiency and install renewable energy upgrades to reduce operating costs and put more money in the classroom Improve classroom access to modern technology Because the Board is committed to full public disclosure and doing this the right way, taxpayer safeguards are in place. Measure "Q" requires: An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee Annual financial and performance audits NO use of expensive borrowing options such as capital appreciation bonds (CABs) ALL funds dedicated to improving local classrooms and facilities Support our youngest students, upgrade our oldest classrooms and improve our entire community! Vote YES on Measure "Q"! s/Calvin Harwood Calvin Harwood, School Board President s/James E. Little James E. Little, Chief of the Fire Department s/Lurane Cassidy Lurane Cassidy, Local Business Owner s/Jennifer Jepson Jennifer Jepson, Parent s/Marsha Smythe Marsha Smythe, Long-Term Resident	No Arguments Against Measure Q were submitted.

Full Text of Measure Q

PROJECT LIST The Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the Laytonville Unified School District is committed to providing the local facilities and equipment needed to provide a quality education to our students. To that end, the Board evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size reduction, computer and information technology, and prepared a Facility Assessment and Master Plan Report approved by the Board in November 2013 (the "Master Plan") which is incorporated herein, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input in developing this Project List through school site meetings, and community presentations. Teachers, staff, students, community members and the Board have prioritized the key needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive to address. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Trustees determines that the District should: (i) repair, replace and upgrade our oldest classrooms and facilities; and (ii) increase efficiency and install renewable energy upgrades to reduce operating costs and put more money in the classroom; and (iii) improve classroom access to modern technology; and (iv) adhere to specific FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as: (a) Require all funds to be used improving local classrooms and facilities, (b) Require annual independent financial audits, and (c) Require the appointment of independent citizens' oversight committee must be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent only as authorized. The Project List includes the following types of upgrades and improvements at the District schools: Repair, Upgrade and Replacement Projects Goal and Purpose: Portions of Laytonville Elementary School were built in the 1950's, and need to be repaired, replaced and upgraded, including: Repair and modernize outdated, deteriorating classrooms and school buildings. Construct classrooms and school facilities. Repair or replace leaky roofs, worn out floors. Repair deteriorating plumbing, ventilation and heating systems. Upgrade classrooms to keep pace with changing technology. Add electrical wiring capacity so that it can handle modern instructional technology. Improve access for disabled persons. Repair deteriorating bathrooms. Install fire alarms and acquire fire safety equipment to be sure students are safe in case of an emergency. Energy Efficiency + Returning Savings to the Classroom Goal and Purpose: Energy efficiency and renewable energy are priorities of the Board and the District, and can save money for classroom use. Projects include: Install energy efficient systems and renewable energy upgrades to save money and protect the quality of instruction in core subjects like reading, math, science, and technology. Replace older heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems which will also save money. Instructional Technology and Wiring Projects To Provide a 21st Century Education Goal and Purpose: Since Laytonville schools were built in an era before computers and the internet, many classrooms are ill-prepared to support 21st Century technology. Thus, upgrading wiring to connect classrooms to the internet will give the teachers and students the learning and instruction tools needed to excel. Projects include: Upgrade instructional technology in the classroom for improved student learning. Provide and maintain up-to-date technology, data and communication equipment. Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, Internet and network connections, upgrade electrical wiring. Provide improved, up-to-date technology infrastructure. ** 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, servers, switches, routers, modules, smart boards, sound projection systems, wireless networks, portable interface devices, printers, upgrade voice-over-IP, phone systems, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment. The repair of school facilities includes the upgrading/replacing school site parking, campus accessibility, utilities, and grounds, playground equipment, hard court surfaces, shade structures for student assembly and protecting students from inclement weather during lunch, libraries, District support facilities, multi-purpose rooms, kitchens, cafeterias; enhance signage; install fire sensors; athletic facilities, and play fields including turf, may be upgraded for safety and operational efficiency; upgrade electrical wiring; construct labs, music and staff support rooms and restrooms; renovate and paint interior and exterior building surfaces to extend their useful life; improve physical education/athletic facilities; security, install safety and communication systems and equipment; window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting); acquire kitchen equipment; upgrade drinking fountains, irrigation systems; install solar and water recycling and energy management systems. The Project List also includes the refinancing of any outstanding lease obligations, or the bridge loans taken to initiate voter approved projects. The allocation of bond proceeds may 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 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. Necessary site acquisition, 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. Bond Issuance: The District will not issue any capital appreciation bonds as part of this measure. 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. TAX RATE STATEMENT Laytonville Unified School District, Measure "Q" An election will be held in the Laytonville Unified School District (the "District") on November 4, 2014, to authorize the sale of up to $5,500,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to issue the bonds in multiple series over time. 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 through 9404 of the California Elections Code. 1. The best estimate of the tax 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 6.000 cents per $100 (or $60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16. 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 6.000 cents per $100 (or $60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2019-20. 3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue in each year, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 6.000 cents per $100 (or $60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. 4. These estimates would result in an average annual tax of 6.000 cents per $100 (or $60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation over the life of the bonds. Voters should note that estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value, which could be more or less than the assessed 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. Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's 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 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 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 County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process. Dated: June 26, 2014 s/Joan Viada Potter Joan Viada Potter, Superintendent Laytonville Unified School District