At the discretion of the governing board, all or any part of the bonds could be sold; provided, however, that the interest rate not exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the district.

The proceeds of the bonds could be used for any or all of the following purposes: (A) Acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities; (B) Construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities; and (C) The furnishing and equipping of school facilities.

If the measure passes, the District shall conduct annual, independent performance and financial audits to ensure that the bond funds have been expended only for the specific projects listed in the election order resolution until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects.

The procedures required for the approval and issuance of the general obligation bonds, including the process for submitting Measure J to a vote of the District's electors, are as specified in the Constitution, the Education Code, the Elections Code, and the Government Code of California.

This analysis is submitted by the Office of the County Counsel of San Joaquin County, pursuant to the requirements of section 9500 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure J. If you desire a copy of Measure J, please call the Registrar of Voters office at (209) 468-8945 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15122.5

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

Stockton Record

• Push begins for school bonds Supporters of Linden, Ripon measures confident districts - 02/03/02

Although well-maintained, our schools are in need of significant repair and rehabilitation. Science laboratories, adequate 40 years ago, are inadequate for current instruction and safety. Many classrooms, built in the 1950's have inadequate electrical systems. Often these systems break down due to usage.

Measure J will make local schools safer, relieve overcrowding, and help keep up with technology.

Passage of Measure J will:

Build a new elementary school to relieve overcrowding

At Ripon High School: · Upgrade electrical systems for safety and to provide access to technology · Replace original plumbing and sewer systems where needed · Renovate bathrooms that are old and deteriorating · Upgrade classrooms, science labs and computer labs · Improve safety and security · Replace inefficient heating and ventilation systems · Eliminate asbestos and other hazards

Passage of Measure J will improve our community's ability to qualify for state matching funds, thereby reducing costs to local taxpayers. If Measure J does not pass, these funds will be given to other school districts.

All money raised by Measure J will stay in our community to benefit local children. Measure J funds cannot be use for salaries or administration. An independent citizen's oversight committee will be established to keep these commitments to taxpayers.

Measure J is tax deductible. Quality schools help maintain property values.

Parents, teachers, senior citizens and community leaders all support Measure J.

We respectfully urge your support.

Submitted by:

/s/ Dennis E. Bitters
/s/ Marge Imfeld
/s/ Bruce C. Nikkel
/s/ Ward L. Schemper
/s/ David S. Phippen

For more than 100 years the California Constitution protected homeowners from property tax increases to pay for bonds unless there was a 2/3rds vote. The 2/3rds vote is important because those who do not own homes and will pay none of the tax increase can vote to impose higher property taxes on those who do own homes. Although Homeowners continue to need the 2/3rds vote protection, in 2000 a group of billionaires decided it should be easier to increase property taxes on the average homeowner. The billionaires spent over $30,000,000 on a highly deceptive campaign to end this protection. They claimed their Proposition 39 would "strengthen" Proposition 13! Can you imagine? They claimed that eliminating the 2/3rds vote protection for homeowners would actually "strengthen" Prop. 13!

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association fought back fiercely, funded by small donations from average homeowners. Unfortunately for the average homeowner, the billionaires narrowly defeated us.

However, local governing boards still have the option of requiring a two-thirds vote, instead of 55%, when they ask for a property tax increase on your home. Several school boards in other jurisdictions have decided to leave the 2/3rds vote homeowner protection in place. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is not opposing these bonds. We believe you should vote NO until your school board gives you the 2/3rds vote protection for your home.

Submitted by:

/s/ Jon Coupal, President
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Submitted by:

/s/ Jon Coupal, President
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

1. They do not live in Ripon or even in the area.
2. They are from Southern California and have submitted the same ballot argument (word for word) against other school bonds throughout California
3. Apparently, they haven't taken the time to visit our schools or our community to review our needs and the benefits of this measure.

Here are the facts:

Ripon High School is one of the top schools academically in the state, but it needs significant improvements. Science labs need to be modernized, classrooms need updating. Schools get old. Despite vigorous ongoing maintenance, the high school needs critical repairs for the health and safety of the children. These renovations and major repairs, if neglected, will only cost more in the future.

Nearly one-half of the cost of building the new elementary school will be covered by state funds, if Measure J is passed, thus reducing the cost to taxpayers.

The economic well-being and quality of life in our community are dependent on good schools. Good schools help maintain high property values. Passage of Measure J is both educationally necessary and fiscally prudent.

Don't be persuaded by a statewide organization with no insight into our local school and community needs. Measure J is a responsible measure to fix our local schools and relieve overcrowding.

Please vote yes on Measure J.

Submitted by:

/s/ Dennis Bitters
/s/ Larry J. Stewart
/s/ David S. Phippen

Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be amortized through property taxation:

1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund the 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 5.55 cents per 100 dollars ($55.51 per $100,000) assessed valuation.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 5.31 cents per 100 dollars ($53.13 per $100,000) assessed valuation for the year 2004/2005.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement is 5.55 cents per 100 dollars ($55.51 per $100,000) assessed valuation for the year 2002/2003.

Attention to 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 times of sales of said bonds and the amount sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold, which in any event will not exceed the maximum permitted by law, will depend upon the bond market at the time of each bond sale. Actual assessed valuation in future years will depend upon the value of property within the District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process. Hence, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those estimates.

/s/ Leo Zuber, Superintendent
Ripon Unified School District