2,402 / 68.0% Yes votes ...... 1,129 / 32.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

At the discretion of the governing board, all or any part of the bonds could be sold; provided, however, that the interest rate shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. The proceeds of the bonds could be used to provide a performing arts center, cafeteria and library at Escalon High School and provide a multipurpose center/gymnasium with performing arts practice rooms for music, band, and choir at El Portal Middle School. 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 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, is $0.03430 per $100 ($34.30 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for the year 2003/04. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply based on estimated assessed valuations at the time of filing of the tax rate statement is $0.03440 per $100 ($34.40 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for the year 2010-11.

The tax rate estimates above are based upon the District's projections and estimates only, and are not binding on the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated due to variations in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at any given sale, market interest rates at the time of each bond sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds.

The conduct of this bond election and the issuance of bonds will be in conformity with existing laws of the State of California and will not otherwise affect existing law. This analysis is submitted by the Office of the San Joaquin County Counsel pursuant to the requirements of Section 9500 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15122.5

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

Escalon Unified School District

• Official Website

Ensure Escalon students have the same facilities offered by other California School Districts.

A YES vote of Measure T will fund the construction of:

- A cafeteria at Escalon High School in order to provide students a place to eat indoors protected from the rain and heat.

- A Performing Arts Center/Theatre at Escalon High School which will enhance students' educational opportunities.

- A multipurpose/gym at El Portal Middle School to allow students to better meet current P.E. curriculum requirements.

- Additional classrooms at El Portal Middle School in order to allow drama, choir and band classes to practice daily in more appropriate facilities.

- A larger, more modern library at Escalon High School in order to better meet current curriculum requirements.

The Entire Community Benefits.

- Measure T increases the recreational opportunities for our entire community-young and old, teams and families and allows groups to use the facilities at reasonable hours.
- The gym will be made available to public recreational groups.
- The high school complex will include facilities which can be used by community groups/organizations.
- The additional sports programs will provide our kids with positive opportunities.
- Measure T will improve property values.

Taxpayer Accountability

All money raised by Measure T will stay in our community to construct local school buildings. An independent citizens oversight committee will review all expenditures from the bond. Annual independent audits will be conducted and made publicly available.

Our students deserve your vote.

There are more than 3,000 children in our school district. They require a good education today, in facilities equal to those offered by other California School Districts to meet tomorrow's challenges. On November 5th, please vote to construct additional local school facilities by supporting Measure T.

Submitted by:

/s/ Diane Alcorn /s/ Al Caton /s/ John Largent /s/ Grant Thompson /s/ John Van de Pol

(No arguments against Measure T were submitted)

Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be paid 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 $0.03430 per $100 ($34.30 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for the year 2003-04.

2. 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 valuation available at the time of filing this statement is $0.03440 per $100 ($34.40 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for the year 2010-11.

Attention to all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only. 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 sales. The actual assessed valuations in the 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 presently estimated as above stated.

/s/ Bob Wallace, Superintendent

Escalon Unified School District
Dated: July 30, 2002

"to meet enrollment and curriculum requirements shall the Escalon Unified School District contract a cafeteria., library and performing arts center at Escalon High School, construct a multipurpose/gymnasium with performing arts practice rooms for music, band and choir at El Portal Middle School by issuing $7,500,000 in bonds at interest rates within legal limits, subject to a detailed project list, a citizen oversight committee and independent audits?"

This proposition may be known and referred to as the Escalon Unified School District Improvement Bond of 2002.

Findings

The Escalon Unified School District (the "District"), which serves the community of Escalon is a recognized leader in providing high quality education to San Joaquin County students.

The achievements have been accrued by the District as a result of the long history of visionary leadership from the Board of Trustees of the District (the "Board"), as well as from staff members, students, parents, and members of the District community. During its long history, the District has benefited from a community which supports its educational institutions by establishing high standards for academic achievement while at the same time providing the means required to meet and even to surpass those expectations.

In order to provide our local students with the same quality classrooms and school facilities comparable with other California district, additional classrooms and school facilities must be constructed.

The Board has prepared a facilities plan and identified classroom and school facilities construction needs due to curriculum requirements and increased enrollment that are more than the District is able to fund from currently available sources or annual revenues.

The District has sought, and continues to seek, all available outside sources of funding to improve our school buildings, including local, state, and federal grants and state bond funds. Historically, the District has been able to construct facilities without taxpayer assistance. The District no longer has this ability. Additionally, the state required that local school district provide local funds as a condition of receipt of state matching funds.

It is necessary to seek voter approval of a bond measure in order to provide the local funding for identified school facility projects, and growth needs to address student enrollment.

By approval of this proposition by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $7,500,000 in aggregated principal at interest rates below the legal limit, to provide finance for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below.

Bond Project List

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A-1 shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

Approval of this Bond Measure (the "Measure") does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under the Measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the Measure. If state matching funds become available, they will be used for and applied to the bond Project List. The District's proposal for the project or projects does not assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

Accountability Requirements

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the District all on compliance with the requirements if Article XIIIA, Section 1 (b)(3), of the State constitution and the Strict Accountability in Local School construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at Education code Sections 15264 and following).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board, after a long process involving staff members, parents, students, and community members at each school site throughout the District, has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the District and determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the bond Project List contained in Exhibit A-1.

Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee. The Board shall establish an Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A-1. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board.

Performance Audits. The Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expanded only on the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A-1.

Special Bond Proceeds Account: Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board shall take actions necessary to establish an account in which proceeds of the sale of bonds will be deposited. As long as any proceeds of the bonds remain unexpended, the Superintendent of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each fiscal year, commencing January 1, 2003, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as the Superintendent shall determine and may be incorporated in the annual budget, audit, or another routine report to the Board.

Further Specifications

No Administrators Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

The proceeds of the bonds will be deposited into a Building Fund to be held by the San Joaquin County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code.

Exhibit A-1

Bond Project List

The specific school facilities projects to be funded are set forth below:

Escalon High School

· Performing arts center, cafeteria and library

El Portal Middle School

· Multipurpose center/gymnasium with performing arts practice rooms for music, band and choir.