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Smart Voter
Riverside County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure KK
Classroom Repair/College/Career Readiness
Desert Sands Unified School District

Bond - 55% Approval Required

Pass: 27,027 / 69.50% Yes votes ...... 11,862 / 30.50% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of November 21 7:51am, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (77/77)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To upgrade classrooms, labs for career/technical education classes to prepare students for college/good-paying jobs in math, science, engineering, technology/ skilled trades, repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing/electrical systems, acquire, renovate, construct/equip classrooms, sites/facilities to keep pace with technology, shall Desert Sands Unified School District issue $225,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no administrators' salaries, and all money staying local, without increasing current tax rates?

Impartial Analysis from Deputy County Counsel
The Board of Education ("Board") of the Desert Sands Unified School District ("District") by adopting Resolution No. 09/2014-2015 ("Resolution"), elected to call an election pursuant to Section 18 of Article XVI and Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and Section 15100 and 15624 et seq. of the California Education Code to obtain authorization to issue and sell general obligation Bonds ("Bonds") in the aggregate amount principal amount of two hundred and twenty five million dollars ($225,000,000).

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of the above- identified District.

The Bonds would be used by the District to refinance outstanding lease obligations or bridge loans, repair, renovate and upgrade buildings and infrastructure, including plumbing, lighting, electrical and heating/air conditions systems, repair, replace and upgrade safety and security systems and acquire, install and upgrade technology equipment, infrastructure and fixtures. The Bonds would not be used to fund the salaries, pensions or benefits of any board members, administrator, and/or teachers or for other school operating expenses.

If Measure "KK" is approved, the Board of the District will appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent audits to assure that bond funds are spent only on 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 for no other purposes.

An ad valorem tax would be levied and collected on property within the boundaries of the District to pay the principal and interest on the Bonds.

The Resolution provides that the maximum interest rate on the Bonds will not exceed the maximum interest rate permitted by the applicable laws of the State and the maximum term of the Bonds, or any series thereof, will not exceed 40 years.

Approval of Measure "KK" does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Desert Sands Unified School District that are the subject of the Bonds under Measure "KK" will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure "KK". The District's proposal for the project or projects assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

For this Measure to be approved fifty-five percent (55%) of qualified voters who vote on the Measure must vote yes.

A "YES" vote on Measure "KK" is a vote to allow the District to sell the Bonds and levy the necessary taxes to pay for the Bonds.

A "NO" vote on Measure "KK" is a vote against allowing the District to sell the Bonds and levy the necessary taxes to pay for the Bonds.

By: Ronak N. Patel, Deputy County Counsel

 
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Arguments For Measure KK Arguments Against Measure KK
Passage of Measure "KK" will maintain the quality of local schools,WITHOUT raising tax rates.

Desert Sands Unified School District is recognized as one of the best school districts in the state. Test scores are up and basic repairs and renovations of schools, paid for by previous bond measures, are being completed. However, much still needs to be done.

Measure "KK" has been put on the ballot to continue the renovations of our schools and to provide facilities so students who plan to go to college are prepared to succeed, and those who don't plan to go to college receive the career training they need to compete for good paying jobs. Measure "KK" will:

  • Renovate and update facilities and equipment to provide career technical programs and advanced courses in math, science, engineering and technology
  • Repair/replace aging portables, roofs, floors, lighting, electrical and plumbing systems
  • Upgrade outdated classrooms, science labs, computers, and technology
  • Make energy-efficiency improvements, and install low water usage irrigation systems
  • Improve the safety and security of children

Measure "KK" WON'T raise existing property tax rates. Measure "KK" simply extends or lowers rates previously approved by voters.

Every penny from Measure "KK" will stay in our community and may only be used for the specific facility projects included in the District's detailed project list. No funds can be used for administrator salaries. Measures "KK" requires an independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory annual audits to ensure funds are spent properly.

Measure "KK" is supported by a broad coalition of teachers, principals, parents, seniors, homeowners, business leaders, and community leaders.

Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting and maintaining the quality of our schools is a wise investment. The value of your home is directly tied to the quality of local schools.

Please vote yes on Measure "KK" for quality schools.

By: Darrell Cinatl, Desert Sands Education Foundation Treasurer
David Ison, Member, Coachella Valley Community Trust
Dr. Doris Wilson, Associate Dean CSUSB (Palm Desert Campus)
Ashley Hayball, 2014 California Teacher of the Year Finalist

(No arguments against were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from School District Superintendent
An election will be held in Desert Sands Unified School District (the "District") on November 4, 2014, for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the District the question of incurring a bonded indebtedness of the District in an aggregate principal amount of $225 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 information contained in numbered paragraphs 1 + 3 below is provided in compliance with Section 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California. The information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience within 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 highest 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 2.002¢ per $100 ($20.02 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for fiscal year 2015-16.

2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the 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 6.0¢ per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for fiscal year 2027-28.

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 valuation available at the time of filing of this statement, is 6.0¢ per $100 ($60.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation for fiscal year 2031-32.

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 exceptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which is 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 its need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. 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: Gary Rutherford Superintendent
Desert Sands Unified School District


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