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San Joaquin County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure G
Safe and Modern Classrooms
Manteca Unified School District

School Bonds - 55% Approval Required

Pass: 11535 / 59.05% Yes votes ...... 8000 / 40.95% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 24 11:48am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (86/86)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To upgrade classrooms to meet modern academic, technology and safety standards; repair faulty electrical systems, air conditioning, leaky roofs, plumbing and restrooms; improve fire safety systems and school security; remove asbestos and lead paint; and repair, construct, and acquire educational facilities and equipment, shall the Manteca Unified School District issue $159 million of bonds at legal interest rates, with citizen oversight, annual independent audits, and no money for administrators' salaries or pensions?

Impartial Analysis from San Joaquin County Counsel
Approval of Measure G would allow the Manteca Unified School District (the "District") to incur bonded indebtedness up to a maximum amount of one hundred fifty-nine million dollars and no cents ($159,000,000.00). The issuance and sale of such general obligation bonds would be for the purpose of school safety and security upgrades, implementation of technology and science modernization projects, and renovations, upgrades and improvements to school facilities. Bond proceeds could also be used to qualify for State of California matching funds.

No funds derived from bond sales could be used for teacher or District administrators' salaries or for any purpose or project other than those expressly stated in the measure.

To assure that funds derived from bond sales authorized by Measure G are spent only for the purposes expressly stated in the measure, and for no other purposes, Measure G would require the District to: (1) appoint an independent citizens' oversight committee; and (2) conduct annual independent performance and financial audits.

If Measure G is approved, and bonds are authorized and sold, the principal thereof and interest thereon shall be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. If Measure G is approved, the tax rate necessary for payment of principal and interest on any bonds sold will be largely dictated by the timing of the bond sales, the amount sold at a given sale, market interest rates at the time of each sale (although in no event greater than the maximum bond net interest rate allowed by law), as well as actual assessed valuation of taxable property in the District over the term of repayment. A statement of the tax rate data required by Elections Code Section 9401 will be provided to all registered voters with the sample ballot for the bond election.

Approval of Measure G does not guarantee that the projects proposed by the District to be funded from the proceeds of bonds authorized and sold will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the bond sales authorized by the measure. The District's proposal for such projects assumes the receipt of matching State of California funds that could be subject to appropriation by the State Legislature or to approval by a statewide bond measure.

Passage of Measure G requires approval by fifty-five percent (55%) of voters voting thereon.

 
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Arguments For Measure G Arguments Against Measure G
Vote Yes on G to improve education for each student in every school!

The fact is 21st Century jobs and careers require up-to-date technology. Yes on G upgrades local classrooms and science labs to ensure all students have access to updated technology so they are prepared for the jobs of the future.

Yes on G also helps ensure quality job training programs so students planning to enter the workforce after high school have the real-world skills they need to compete for jobs when they graduate.

At the same time, many schools in the District are old and deteriorating with smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, security cameras, and alarm systems that are potentially unreliable! Yes on G is needed to improve school safety and security in order to provide safe learning environments for local school children. Students need and deserve safe and healthy schools!

All Measure G funds are required to be spent locally to repair and upgrade local schools. Funds cannot be taken by Sacramento!

Yes on G repairs leaky roofs and plumbing.

Yes on G repairs inefficient and potentially faulty electrical systems.

Yes on G updates classroom technology for 21st century learning.

Yes on G maintains school security.

Yes on G removes and replaces old building materials that are now known to be toxic.

Yes on G includes tough accountability provisions and taxpayer safeguards to ensure all funds are spent as promised to the community. Yes on G requires Independent Citizens' Oversight and annual independent financial/performance audits.

By law, No money can go to purchasing land for new schools.

By law, No money can be spent on administrators' salaries or pensions.

Join teachers, parents, community leaders, the farming community, and local business owners in supporting Yes on G!

To learn more, visit http://www.YesonGforMUSD.com.

/s/ Chuck Crutchfield, Community Leader /s/ Honora Rohovit, Parent Leader /s/ Charlie Halford, Retired Police Chief/Rotary President /s/ Ken Johnson, Teacher's Association President /s/ Mark Condit, Member, Manteca Unified School District Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee

NO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE G HAS BEEN SUBMITTED

Tax Rate Statement from Jason Messer, Superintendent Manteca Unified School District
To: The voters voting in the November 4, 2014 election on the question of the issuance of $159,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Manteca Unified School District.
You are hereby notified in accordance with Section 9401 of the Elections Code of the State of California of the following:

1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds (Fiscal Year 2015-2016), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is the following:

$.060 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $60.00 per $100,000.

2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the last sale of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows:

$.060 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $60.00 per $100,000.

First fiscal year after last sale of bonds: 2021-2022

3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments on the bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows:

$.060 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $60.00 per $100,000.

Year of highest tax rate: Tax is projected to be the same every year.

The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only. 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 date 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. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of sale. Actual future assessed valuations 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. Accordingly, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as above stated.

Dated: July 29, 2014

By: /s/ Jason Messer, Superintendent Manteca Unified School District

Full Text of Measure G
INTRODUCTION

MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SAFE AND MODERN CLASSROOMS MEASURE: To upgrade classrooms to meet modern academic, technology and safety standards; repair faulty electrical systems, air conditioning, leaky roofs, plumbing and restrooms; improve fire safety systems and school security; remove asbestos and lead paint; and repair, construct, and acquire educational facilities and equipment, shall the Manteca Unified School District issue $159 million of bonds at legal interest rates, with citizen oversight, annual independent audits, and no money for administrators' salaries or pensions?

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $159 million in aggregate principal amount at interest rates not to exceed legal limits and to provide financing for the specific types of school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List described below, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below.

ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this measure in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely. Expenditures to address specific facilities needs of the District will be in compliance with the requirements of 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 School Board has identified detailed facilities needs of the District and has determined which projects to finance from a local bond. The School Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List shown below.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. Following approval of this measure, the Board of Trustees will establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, under Education Code Sections 15278 and following, to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the types of school facilities projects listed below. The committee will be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the School Board.

Performance Audits. The School Board will conduct annual, independent performance audits to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed below.

Financial Audits. The School Board will conduct annual, independent financial audits of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed below.

Government Code Accountability Requirements. As required by Section 53410 of the Government Code, (1) the specific purpose of the bonds is set forth in this Full Text of the Measure, (2) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in this measure, and not for any other purpose, (3) the proceeds of the bonds, when and if issued, will be deposited into a building fund to be held by the San Joaquin County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code, and (4) the Superintendent of the District shall cause an annual report to be filed with the Board of Trustees of the District not later than January 1 of each year, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in this measure, as required by Sections 53410 and 53411 of the Government Code.

NO TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the purposes specified in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3), those being for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

STATE MATCHING FUNDS

The following statement is included in this measure pursuant to Education Code Section 15122.5: Approval of this measure does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects that are the subject of bonds under this measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this measure. The District's proposal for the project or projects described below may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

BOND PROJECT LIST

Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended on the modernization, renovation, acquisition, construction,reconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or replacement of school facilities of the Manteca Unified School District, including the furnishing and equipping of such school facilities, located or to be located in the Manteca Unified School District at the following sites and properties:

Existing District Owned School Sites & Property

August Knodt Elementary School
Brock Elliott Elementary School
French Camp Elementary School
George Komure Elem. School
George McParland E.S. & Annex
Golden West Elementary School
Great Valley Elementary School
Great Valley Annex
Ethel Allen Elementary School
Joseph Widmer Elementary School
Joshua Cowell Elementary School
Lathrop Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
Mossdale Elementary School
Neil Hafley Elementary School
New Haven Elementary School
Nile Garden Elementary School
Rustic Elementary School
Sequoia Elementary School
Shasta Elementary School
Stella Brockman Elem. School
Tara Elementary School
Veritas Elementary School
Woodward Elementary School
Calla High School
East Union High School
Lathrop High School
Manteca Day School
Manteca High School
New Vision High School
Sierra High School
South Manteca High School
Weston Ranch High School
Adult Transition School
be.tech Schools
District Office Facilities

School Facility Project List. The items presented on the following list provide examples of the types of projects to be financed at the above listed sites and properties with bond proceeds. Specific examples included on this list are not intended to limit the generality of the broader types of projects described and authorized by this measure. The types of projects authorized are:

1. School Safety and Security Upgrades. Improvements, upgrades and/or repairs or replacements of District systems and facilities to achieve a safe, secure and accessible learning environment. Authorized projects include:

  • Security and access control systems including surveillance systems, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, alarm systems and public address systems
  • Security fencing, security cameras, and site lighting
  • Damaged or non-compliant playground equipment
  • Failing pavement at playgrounds, walkways and parking areas
  • Replacement/removal of old building materials that are now known to be toxic, such as due to asbestos and lead paint
  • Existing facilities to achieve barrier-free ADA compliant access at all facilities

2. Repairing, upgrading and modernizing aging school facilities and buildings District-wide. Upgrades, repairs, renovations and/or replacements to facilities, buildings and building systems to replace or upgrade deteriorating, failed or failing facilities, systems and/or equipment, increase energy efficiency and/or air quality, bring systems into current code compliance and provide modern school facilities. Authorized projects include:

  • Structural repairs and upgrades, roofing, replacement of windows, doors and building finish materials
  • Interior finishes: paint, ceiling and wall finishes, window coverings, flooring and casework
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
  • Repairing inefficient and potentially faulty electrical systems
  • Repairing or replacing infrastructure including water, sewer, gas and related utility systems.
  • Electrical systems, including lighting, power distribution and control systems and other renewable energy systems such as wind turbines and solar panels
  • Plumbing including fixtures and repairs to sewer and water distribution systems
  • Upgrading, modernizing, equipping and furnishing District classrooms, academies, facilities for fine and performing arts, and other facilities including kitchens, cafeterias, multi-purpose rooms and bathrooms, including constructing additional bathrooms where needed
  • Replacement of temporary and aging portable classrooms that are expensive to repair and maintain

3. Technology and Science Modernization Projects. Acquire, upgrade and install at school sites and District facilities up-to-date technology infrastructure and equipment to facilitate a modern learning environment including upgrading and equipping science labs. Authorized projects include:

  • Infrastructure such as wiring, switches, routers and wireless access infrastructure
  • Computers, devices and other modern instructional equipment
  • Hardware and software and back-up and recovery and security technologies
  • Science and laboratory modernization, including science equipment and instructional tools

4. Renovations, upgrades and improvements to school sites/grounds and physical education/athletic facilities. Repair, upgrade, renovate and improve school grounds, play fields and physical education facilities, including equipment. Authorized projects include:

  • Restoration and upgrade of play fields and playgrounds, including play/fitness equipment and hardtop and asphalt surfaces
  • Installation of cost-effective, efficient landscaping and irrigation systems
  • Installation of drought-resistant landscaping
  • Repair, upgrade, replace and/or resurface, and equip physical education and athletic facilities, including outdoor tracks, gymnasiums, locker rooms, bathrooms and related facilities
  • Installation of shade structures, traffic control devices, lighting and/or bleachers and other seating
  • Parking facility improvements, including resurfacing, expansion and lighting
  • Repair, modernize, replace or add bathrooms where needed.

5. Authorization of projects at existing school sites. Authorized projects include upgrading, expanding, replacing and/or constructing new facilities at existing school sites, including currently vacant school sites, as the Board of Trustees may determine is necessary to improve the delivery of the District's educational programs and/or prevent overcrowding within the District, including facilities for fine and performing arts for school and community use, and including furnishing and equipping all such facilities.

Each of the bond projects described in this Bond Project List include the costs of furnishing and equipping such facilities, and all costs incidental but directly related to the specific projects described above. Examples of such costs include, but are not limited to, costs of design, engineering, architect and other professional services, inspections, site preparation, utilities, landscaping, construction management and other planning, legal, accounting and similar costs, independent annual financial and performance audits, a customary construction contingency, demolition and disposal of existing structures, rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis for materials and other equipment and furnishings displaced during construction, interim classrooms and facilities for students, administrators, and school functions, including modular facilities, addressing unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization and other necessary improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, costs of the election, bond issuance costs and project administration during the duration of such projects.

Approval of the District's bond measure does not guarantee that all of the identified projects within this Bond Project List will be funded beyond what can be completed with local funds generated by the bond measure. The District will also pursue funds from the State of California to complete certain of the identified facilities projects.

The order in which school facilities projects are listed above does not suggest an order of priority. Project priorities will be determined by the Board of Trustees. The District is unable to anticipate all unforeseen circumstances which may prevent some of the projects listed above from being undertaken or completed.


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