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Smart Voter
San Diego County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Proposition Q
School Bonds
Ramona Unified School District

55% Approval Required

Fail: 4802 / 46.67% Yes votes ...... 5488 / 53.33% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Information shown below: Summary | Yes/No Meaning | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To improve the quality of education in Ramona by modernizing classrooms, restrooms and facilities, repairing or replacing roofs, deteriorating portable classrooms, electrical and plumbing systems; and provide critical General Fund relief by paying off District loans to construct schools and make school improvements; shall Ramona Unified School District issue $40,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, with an independent citizens' oversight committee, ensuring NO MONEY to employee salaries or the state, and ALL funds spent on Ramona schools?

Summary Prepared by County Counsel:
This measure was placed on the ballot by the governing board of the Ramona Unified School District ("District"). This proposition, if approved by 55% of the votes cast on the proposition, will authorize the District to issue and sell $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds. The sale of these bonds by the District is for the purpose of raising money for the District, and represents a debt of the District. In exchange for the money received from the holders, the District promises to pay the holders of the bonds an amount of interest for a certain period of time, and to repay the bonds on the maturity date.

Voter approval of this measure will also authorize an annual tax to be levied upon the taxable property within the District. The purpose of this tax is to generate sufficient revenue to pay interest on the bonds as it becomes due and to provide a fund for payment of the principal on or before maturity.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure may be used by the District for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property, including payment of the District's outstanding lease obligations.

The interest rate on any bond, which is established at the time of bond issuance, could not exceed 12% per annum. The final maturity date of any bond could be no later than 25 years or 40 years after the date the bonds are issued as determined by the District.

The tax authorized by this measure is consistent with the requirements of the California Constitution. The California Constitution permits property taxes, above the standard one percent (1%) limitation, to be levied upon real property to pay the interest and redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness for, inter alia, the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, when approved by 55% of the voters if:

(1) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds are used only for the purposes specified,

(2) the District, by evaluating safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs, has approved a list of specific projects to be funded,

(3) the District will conduct an annual, independent performance audit, and

(4) the District will conduct an annual, independent financial audit.

If a bond measure is approved, state law requires the District to establish an independent citizens' oversight committee. The District has made this ballot measure subject to these requirements.

Approval of this measure does not guarantee that the proposed projects in the District that are the subject of these bonds will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this proposition.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote on this measure means:
A "YES" vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the District to issue and sell $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds

A NO vote on this measure means:
A "NO" vote is a vote against authorizing the District to issue and sell $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

 
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Arguments For Proposition Q Arguments Against Proposition Q
Measure Q is on the November ballot to preserve the quality of education in Ramona. Q is needed to upgrade and renovate outdated classrooms and school facilities and to repay an outstanding District loan. By approving Measure Q, we can improve the education of local students, which increases property values, reduces crime, and is good for the local economy. In short, quality schools maintain the quality of a community.

Two years ago, voters failed to approve Measure R on the November 2012 ballot. Community members said the District asked for too much with a $60.00 tax rate. The District listened and is lowering the tax rate to $39.00. We believe this change is an affordable, but critical, investment in our kids and our community.

Q will upgrade aging Ramona schools

Although schools have been well maintained over the years, they are old. Measure Q would make only the most critical improvements including repairing or replacing roofs, upgrading inadequate electrical and deteriorating plumbing systems, and making health and safety enhancements.

Q will relieve schools of crippling debt

Ramona Unified School District borrowed money ten years ago to build two sorely needed schools, construct classrooms, and make other improvements. Because developer fees have dried up, the District must now repay that loan with money intended to support classroom education. Measure Q will pay off this loan entirely, maintaining programs, instructional days, and small class sizes.

Q contains tough safeguards to ensure funds are spent as promised:

  • All funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State
  • By law, spending must be reviewed and audited by a local Citizens' Oversight Committee
  • Funds cannot be spent on employee salaries

Measure Q upgrades outdated classrooms, increases property values, and maintains the quality of our community. Join us and VOTE YES ON Q!

MS. CORI McDONALD
President, Ramona Teachers Association
MRS. KRISTINA KROHNE
PTA President, Sun Valley Council
MRS. ARVIE DEGENFELDER
Founder, Ramona Trails Association
MR. DAMON BALDWIN
Head Football Coach, Ramona High School
SUSAN D. HOMESLEY, OD
Local Business Owner & Optometrist

No arguments against Proposition Q were submitted.

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent
An election will be held in the Ramona Unified School District (the "District") on November 4, 2014, to authorize the sale of up to $40,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities and property of the District, and paying costs incident thereto as described in the ballot measure. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in one or more 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 information contained in numbered paragraphs 1 - 3 below is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

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 $.039 per $100 ($39.00 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 $.039 per $100 ($39.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2022-23.

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 $.039 per $100 ($39.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal years 2015-
16.

Voters should note that the 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. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills 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. 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 its needs for 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: July 28, 2014

Dr. Robert Graeff
Superintendent
Ramona Unified School District

STATEMENT REQUIRED BY EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15122.5

"Approval of Measure Q does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Ramona Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure Q will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure Q. 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."


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