43,470 / 62.0% Yes votes ...... 26,643 / 38.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

An election will be held in the Cabrillo Community College District (the "District") on March 2, 2004, for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the District the question of incurring a bonded indebtedness of the District in a principal amount not to exceed $118.5 million. If such bonds are authorized and sold, the principal thereof and interest thereon will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information regarding tax rates is given to comply with Section 9401 of the California Elections Code. Such information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience with the District, and other demonstrable factors.

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 rate that 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 1.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $16.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2004-05.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate that 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 based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement is 1.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $16.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2007-08.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue, and an estimate of the years in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement is again 1.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $16.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation), which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain outstanding.

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 timing of bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District, the state of the bond market, and other factors. The actual interest rates on any bonds sold will depend upon market conditions and other factors at the time of sale. The actual assessed valuations in future years will depend upon the value of property within the District as determined in the assessment and equalization process. Therefore, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as stated above.

s/ John D. Hurd Superintendent/President Cabrillo Community College District

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote on Measure D is a vote to authorize the general obligation bonds to be issued and financed by ad valorem taxes levied annually on real property in the Cabrillo Community College District.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote on Measure D is a vote against issuing the proposed general obligation bonds.

MEASURE D

If approved by at least fifty-five percent of those voting on the measure, this measure will authorize the Cabrillo Community College District to incur a bonded indebtedness in a principal amount not exceeding $118,500,000.

The money raised through sale of the bonds may only be used by the Cabrillo Community College District for the purposes stated in the ballot question and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other college operating expenses. To ensure that the bond monies are expended for the approved purposes, the Board of Trustees of the Cabrillo Community College District will cause annual, independent performance and financial audits to be conducted, and it also will cause the appointment of a Citizens' Oversight Committee.

The interest paid on the bonds cannot exceed a rate set by State law, and their term to maturity will also be limited by State law.

Payment of interest on the bonds (and principal, when applicable) would be financed by a tax levied on real property within the District. The Tax Rate Statement for Measure D which is printed in this ballot pamphlet provides information about that tax, as required by law. The precise effect of the bonds upon the property tax rate within the District would only be determined after sale of the bonds.

Supporters

Cabrillo College must expand and upgrade classrooms and labs to accommodate growing enrollment. Local demand is rising for Cabrillo's affordable job training and academic preparation for transfer to four-year universities. Cabrillo is an especially important resource during tough economic times, when many residents must improve their job training skills or change careers.

There is critical demand for health care job training while Cabrillo students are being turned away from overcrowded classes. This measure includes:

• Expanded training facilities for nursing, dental hygiene, radiology and medical assistant programs

• More health care job training classrooms and labs

• An improved, state-of-the-art Stroke Center with access to other health services Local students seeking university prep and job training options need more from Cabrillo College today ˆ especially as tuition rises at the University of California and California State University. This measure will:

• Expand access to English, reading, math and science classes

• Support a university and career readiness center enhancing college prep, career guidance and job placement services for students

• Add classrooms and labs in Watsonville

• Improve classrooms and studios for digital, professional and performing arts instruction

• Increase safety, security and access with improved restrooms, sidewalks, overcrossings, parking, electrical systems and lighting

• Upgrade heating and plumbing for modern building standards and energy efficiency

The state cannot take one dollar of these funds. Bond proceeds can only be spent to improve and upgrade Cabrillo College. The measure will also help Cabrillo College secure our fair share of state matching funds.

Please join us in supporting this important measure for Cabrillo College.

s/ Bruce McPherson, State Senator
s/ John Laird, State Assemblymember
s/ Sister Julie Hyer, O.P., President / CEO Dominican Hospital
s/ Terry A. Medina, Chief of Police, City of Watsonville
s/ Rhea F. Guzmán, Bilingual Teacher, Mintie White Elementary School

Taxpayers and property owners cannot support the argument that Cabrillo needs $118 million more because it must expand and upgrade classrooms and labs to accommodate a growing enrollment.

Just two years ago an $85 million bond measure provided funding for Cabrillo to build a new state-of-the-art, 33,000 square-foot facility, adjoining an 11,000 square-foot center in Watsonville to accommodate 5000 students.

Proposition 47, passed in 2002, provided $11.4 billion for K-12 education facilities through the State School Facilities Program and $1.65 billion for higher education facilities.

Also on the March 2004 ballot is Proposition 55, a bond issue of twelve billion, three hundred million dollars ($12,300,000,000) to fund necessary education facilities to relieve overcrowding and to repair older schools.

According to the Governor's Budget, January 10, 2003, attendance growth in public schools continues to be relatively low, primarily due to steady declines in birth rates beginning in the early 1990s.

While a reduction of 5.7% full-time student enrollment in California's community colleges is expected from the 2002-03 fiscal year, the Governor's Budget provides nearly $70 million for scheduled maintenance and instructional equipment replacement, to provide significant funding to help districts upgrade their colleges' physical plant, maintain library collections, and ensure student access to computer labs and relevant instructional equipment for vocational programs.

Bureaucrats will never live within their budgets unless and until we voters take command and insist that they do so.

We cannot afford another bond, no matter who presents it.

Please vote NO on Measure D.

Santa Cruz County Libertarian Party
s/ Patrick Dugan, Chairman 44-504

The voters have always supported education.

At present Californians are spending over 53% of the state budget on education. Over the last 20 years we have consistently allocated over 50% of the state budget to education.

From 1990 to 2003 the voters approved over 78% of statewide educational general obligation bonds to the sum of 31 billion dollars with interest payments amounting to
3.9 billion dollars. California voters, at the local level, have approved over 75% of school bond measures.

Cabrillo College is asking for another $118 million to build and remodel. The cost of this measure will amount to approximately 80 dollars per parcel per year for 30 years.

Santa Cruz County property owners are already paying four separate taxes for Cabrillo College that passed in
1998.

We have to draw the line somewhere on the continuing increases of the tax bite on property owners.

Please vote NO on Cabrillo College Improvement Measure D.

Santa Cruz County Libertarian Party
s/ Patrick Dugan, Chairman

The Libertarian Party always opposes school bonds. Fortunately, local voters have historically supported local schools, including Cabrillo College.

In 1998, voters approved the first Cabrillo bond in decades ˆ repairing faulty roofs, wiring, plumbing, sewers and storm drains. Obsolete underground infrastructure has been replaced and won't require attention for many years.

Property owners are NOT paying four separate taxes to Cabrillo College. The 1998 bond was sold in four different series to ensure that the tax rate didn't rise above the amount promised to voters and also to guarantee efficient spending. Annual independent audits confirm wise, careful use of bond funds.

Today, supporting Measure D for Cabrillo College is more important than ever.

Nearly 50% of all Santa Cruz County high school graduates attend Cabrillo. Graduates from Cabrillo's nursing and dental hygiene programs have almost 100% placement in well-paid jobs. The college trains thousands of local residents to be job-ready.

More nurses and medical professionals are required to care for our community ˆ but Cabrillo's health care training facilities are at capacity, while technology changes rapidly.

Measure D will help Cabrillo keep up with a changing job market and provide modern training equipment and facilities for health care professionals, firefighters, paramedics, high tech professionals and others seeking skilled careers.

Given state education cuts, Measure D is the only way to guarantee adequate funding for Cabrillo. All funds will be used locally and cannot be taken by the state. An independent citizen's committee will review all spending.

Vote Yes on Measure D.

s/ Bruce McPherson, State Senator
s/ Mary Hammer, Founder, Mountain Community Resources
s/ Robert Quinn, MD, Medical Director, Rehab Services Dominican Hospital
s/ Jeanne MacLaren, Member County Board of Education
s/ Neal Coonerty, Owner - Bookshop Santa Cruz 44-505

"Cabrillo College Improvement Measure: To train and prepare students for jobs and transfer to four-year universities and improve safety by providing:

• Classrooms for healthcare and job training programs;
• A university and career readiness center;
• Improved math, science, arts, English and other instructional facilities;

Bonds - Yes Bonds ˆ No

PROJECTS

The Board of Trustees of the Cabrillo Community College District Governing Board evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including demands for health care job training, other career preparation programs, enrollment growth, safety issues, energy cost reduction and information and computer technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded, as outlined in the Cabrillo College Facility Master Plan, approved by the Governing Board as last amended on November 3, 2003, incorporated herein, and as shall be further amended from time to time. In developing the scope of projects the faculty, staff and students have prioritized the key job training, health and safety needs and enrollment demands so the most critical needs are addressed. The Board conducted independent facilities evaluations and received public input and review in developing the scope of college facility projects to be funded, as listed in the Facility Master Plan, as amended, which was unanimously approved by the Governing Board. This input of faculty, community and business leaders concluded that if these needs were not addressed now, the problems would only get worse.

The Facility Master Plan reflects seven important determinations:

(i) In tough economic times community colleges, including Cabrillo College, are critically important to re-train people who want to expand their job skills;

(ii) Cabrillo College must provide more classrooms for healthcare job training programs such as nursing, dental hygiene and medical assistant training to meet the increasing healthcare needs of the community;

(iii) Statewide budget cuts are damaging Cabrillo College's ability to provide a high-quality affordable education for local students;

(iv) Cabrillo College must provide facilities and classes for academic programs for students who want to transfer to four-year universities;

(v) Cabrillo College must provide facilities and programs that expand access to English, reading, math, science, arts, and language classes;

(vi) Cabrillo College must provide expanded classrooms in the Watsonville areas to increase student access to job training and university prep classes;

(vii) It would be less expensive to construct, upgrade and repair aging community college buildings and classrooms now, than in the future.

The Facility Master Plan, and the November 3, 2003 amendment are on file at the District's Office of the Superintendent/President, and include the following projects:

CABRILLO COLLEGE

• Repair, Upgrade, and/or Replace Obsolete

• Expand Classroom Capacity In Watsonville:

• Improve Emergency Access and Evacuation Routes:

• Expand Classroom and Facility Capacity: Increase classroom capacity for academic classes and job training, including nursing, emergency medical, math, science labs, english, arts, reading, digital, professional, fine and performing arts classes and labs; provide educational classrooms in Scotts Valley area.

• Upgrade, Repair, Equip, Construct and/or Expand Student Services Building:

• Refinance Existing Lease Obligations related to Classrooms, Facilities, Laboratories and Equipment:

• Repair, Replace and Upgrade Electrical and Mechanical Systems to Reduce Energy Consumption and Utility Bills.

• Safety Improvements:

Listed building, repair, and rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District's receipt of State bond funds and the final costs of each project. 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.

The bond program is designed to provide facilities which will serve current and expected enrollment. In the event of an unexpected slowdown in enrollment of students at Cabrillo College, or its several outreach centers, certain of the projects described above will be delayed or may not be completed. In such case, bond money will be spent on only the most essential of the projects listed above. The District will work with the Citizens' Oversight Committee on prioritizing those projects in the event factors beyond the District's control require that projects be reconsidered.

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.

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 COLLEGE FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF COLLEGE FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. BY LAW, ALL FUNDS CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.