5,988 / 69.1% Yes votes ...... 2,682 / 30.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote is in favor of authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote is against authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

This ballot measure would authorize bonded indebtedness not to exceed sixteen-million-five-hundred-thousand dollars ($16,500,000) with interest not to exceed the maximum legal rate. In exchange for money received from a holder of the bonds, the District will promise to pay to the holder interest for a certain period of time and to repay the loan on the expiration date. Bonds will have a maturity date (the date the District has to pay back the money it borrowed) not to exceed thirty years.

The money raised would be used for building new elementary schools and modernizing the Gehringer and Oakley Elementary Schools. The specific projects are set forth in the Bond Project List attached to the Board of Education's resolution. The Board of Education evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List. The money raised would only be used for the listed projects.

The ballot measure also calls for the establishment of an independent citizens' oversight committee to ensure that the money raised is expended only on the listed projects. In addition, the Board of Education will be required to conduct an annual independent performance audit to ensure that the funds are expended only on the listed projects, and to conduct an annual independent financial audit of the money raised until it has been spent on the listed projects.

To pass, 55% of those voting on the measure must approve the measure.

A "yes" vote is in favor of authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

A "no" vote is against authorizing the bonded indebtedness.

Oakley schools are overcrowded and enrollment is expected to increase by 22% over the next five years. Enrollment at Laurel and Gehringer Elementary is over 800 and Vintage has more than 700 students. The district must raise the funds it needs to build new schools today.

A Yes Vote will provide funds to:

o Build two new elementary schools in Oakley.

o Upgrade and modernize school libraries.

o Fix and replace leaky roofs.

o Improve handicapped access to schools.

All of the money from Measure H will remain in Oakley for specific school projects. None of the funds will be used for administrator salaries. Building new schools will allow Oakley schools to continue to serve neighborhood areas and minimize the distance students travel each day to get to school. Developer fees are being collected to help pay for school construction. The District has also aggressively pursued and will continue to seek all available State school construction funds. However, developer fees and state funds alone will not build the classrooms we need in Oakley.

To insure bond funds are spent properly, an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee will monitor the use of all bond funds.

Measure H is an investment in our Oakley. We need to provide the classroom space for our students and continue to provide a quality education to the children of the community.

Please join us and vote Yes on Measure H.

Joanne Byer, Freedom/ Liberty High School District, Board Member

Michael J. Painter, Local Businessman

Greg D. Hetrick, Principal, Delta Vista Middle School

Nancy Huffaker, 1st grade teacher, Vintage Parkway School

Rachel Azevedo, President, Laurel School PTA

1. 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 first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuation available at the time of filing of this statement, is 3 cents per $100 ($30 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the 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 3 cents per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07.

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 3 cents per $100 ($30 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year.

Voters should note that estimated tax rate is 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, 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.

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Oakley Union Elementary District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $16,500,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers of the Oakley Union Elementary District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Oakley Union Elementary District, all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIII A, section 1(b)(3) of the State Constitution, and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at section 15264 et seq. of the California Education Code).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Education has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the Oakley Union Elementary District, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board of Education hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Education shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (section 15278 et seq. of the California Education Code), to ensure bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Education.

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

Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Education shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Education 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 shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2005, 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 into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A 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.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the Oakley Union Elementary District proposes to finance with proceeds of the Bonds. Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore the Board of Education cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only 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 for school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

Single Purpose. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to section 15100 of the California Education Code, and all the enumerated purposes shall constitute the specific single purpose of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purpose, pursuant to section 53410 of the California Government Code.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, and that interest will be made payable at the time or times permitted by law. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature more than 30 years from the date borne by that bond.

EXHIBIT A

OAKLEY UNION ELEMENTARY DISTRICT BOND PROJECT LIST

TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

o Build The New Cypress Elementary School

o Purchase Elementary School Site on Carpenter Road

o Provide Additional Funds for the construction and equipping of Carpenter School, the major source of funding of which is developer fees & State grants

OAKLEY SCHOOL MODERNIZATION

o Upgrade and modernize the Library

o Improve handicapped access to schools by implementing ADA Upgrades to include paths of travel, restrooms, doorways and counters

o Install window walls to increase lighting & energy efficiency

o Expand kitchen to improve efficiency

o Fix and replace leaky roofs

o Modernize Stage Area

o Improve stage lighting

o Add lift (ADA)

o Refinish floor

o Provide shading canopies to front of school, classroom wings, courtyard and kindergarten classrooms

o Renovate faculty lounge

o Convert Corridors to Computer workstation areas

GEHRINGER MODERNIZATION

o Upgrade and modernize the Library

o Build Computer Lab next to Library to provide students better access to today's technology

o ADA/Handicapped Upgrades in Building E to include paths of travel, restrooms, & doorways

o Expand kitchen to improve efficiency

o Make electrical upgrades

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