November 5, 2024 - Measure E

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL OF MEASURE E

KENTFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE

MEASURE E

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the Kentfield School District.

Pursuant to Article XIIIA (1)(b)(3) of the California Constitution, if this measure is approved by 55% of the votes cast, the Kentfield School District will be authorized to incur bonded indebtedness in multiple series of up to forty-eight million dollars ($48,000,000) with an interest rate not to exceed the limit set by law.

Money raised by bond sales may only be used for the purposes and projects stated in the Bond Project List set forth in Measure E. These purposes and projects at Bacich Elementary School and Kent Middle School include repairing or replacing roofs, repairing restrooms and plumbing, and improving safety systems. As required by law, Measure E prohibits using bond proceeds for teacher and administrator salaries or other operating expenses.

The District estimates the average projected tax rate necessary to fund the bonds will be $29 per $100,000 of assessed value of property while the bonds are outstanding. This estimate is a projection, and could go up or down, depending on a number of factors including the timing and amount of bond sales, and changes in assessed property values in the District. If all the bonds are sold, the District estimates total debt service (including the principal and interest) will be approximately $96,000,000. If the bond issuance is authorized, it will commence in fiscal year 2025-26 and the final fiscal year in which it is anticipated that the revenue will be collected is 2051-52.

The Measure requires annual independent financial audits and spending review by an independent citizens’ oversight committee.

s/BRIAN E. WASHINGTON
County Counsel

TAX RATE STATEMENT OF MEASURE E

An election will be held within the boundaries of Kentfield School District (“District”) on November 5, 2024 to authorize the sale of up to $48 million in bonds to finance facilities as described in the measure. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in multiple series. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property located within the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400 to 9404, inclusive, of the California Elections Code.

1. The best estimate from official sources of the average annual tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over the entire duration of the bond debt service, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election, a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction and other demonstrable factors, is estimated to be $29 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The final fiscal year in which the tax is anticipated to be collected is 2051-52.
2. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate that 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 assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction and other demonstrable factors, is estimated to be $29 per $100,000 of assessed valuation first occurring in fiscal year 2025-26.
3. The best estimate from official sources of the total debt service, including the principal and interest, that would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold is $96 million.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the Marin County 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, debt service 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.

Raquel Rose, Superintendent

In accordance with Education Code Section 15122.5:
Approval of Measure E does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Kentfield School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure E will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure E. 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.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE E

Vote Yes on E to provide all Kentfield students with a safe learning environment!

Kentfield School District strives to deliver every student a high-quality and well-rounded education for the future. While we love our local schools, many of them do not meet modern safety standards.

School facility experts, architects, and engineers have identified that Kentfield Schools need basic repairs and maintenance to keep our schools functioning and our students and staff safe.

Your YES vote on E ensures that all Kentfield School District schools can maintain the high quality of education our students deserve.

Deteriorating restrooms, leaky roofs, and old campus fencing are threatening student security. Aging plumbing is impacting our children’s access to safe drinking water. Outdated classrooms need upgraded infrastructure to preserve our high-quality innovative instruction, which helps to prepare our students for higher education and modern careers.

YES on E will:

• Repair plumbing for safe drinking water
• Repair and replace leaky roofs
• Repair deteriorating student restrooms and outdated plumbing
• Upgrade classrooms and school facilities to keep students safe, warm, and dry
• Complete maintenance to prevent weather damage
• Improve school technology infrastructure
• Improve campus fencing and security systems

Local Control & Transparency

• All funds for Bacich Elementary School and Kent Middle School ONLY and cannot be taken by the State
• Independent oversight, mandatory annual audits, and public disclosure of all spending required
• By law, no funds for administrators’ salaries or pensions

Great schools improve the quality of life in our community and protect property values.

Help us keep Kentfield students safe, warm, and dry. Join community members, teachers, and parents – YES on E to maintain up-to-date neighborhood schools!

HEATHER McPHAIL SRIDHARAN
Former President, Kentfield School District Board of Trustees

THOMAS POSER
Real estate broker, Former KIK Board Member

CATHERINE FLORES
Marin County Educator of the Year, Parent

ROSS McKENNA
Marin County Realtor, 30 Year Resident

ANN MATHIESON
Retired Trustee, Kentfield School District Board of Trustees

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE E

Measure E asks you and future generations to fund a 25-year slush fund to nibble at neglected maintenance. Despite having one of the hugest parcel taxes in the state, and TWO existing bond measures we’re still paying for, KSD purports to have a very large amount of unaddressed deferred maintenance. THAT is what prompts Measure E.

In KSD’s instance, the campus was recently substantially upgraded via the 2014 bond. The 2024 bond is primarily for neglected maintenance. Their consultant’s photos show rust, discolored ceiling tiles, cracked pavement, buckling sheetrock, etc. KSD’s deferred maintenance fund balance is near zero and they aren’t adding to it from their ample regular annual tax revenues. Why is that?

So they ask you to give them 25 years of maintenance money. If someone claims that “bonds are for facilities and parcel taxes are for teachers,” don’t buy that argument. Your regular taxes should be maintaining the facilities. The 2023 consultant study in fact concludes by urging an “annual contribution to a deferred maintenance budget.”

Worse yet, that same study ends with this ominous warning that the study (and the bond it recommends) “does not include the need for replacement buildings and infrastructure that will soon approach.”

Beware: Yet another big KSD bond is likely coming soon.

KSD is addicted to bonds but has gone cold turkey on maintenance.

Demand a top to bottom evaluation of the district’s fiscal priorities and capital maintenance.

Vote NO on Measure E.

LUCY DILWORTH
2019-2020 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Foreperson, Attorney

CHRISTOPHER GAYLORD
Business Executive, District Resident

HELEN M. ISAEFF
Fixed Income Senior

KARI S. ISAEFF
Senior Caregiver Advocate

DOREEN GLEASON
Retired Business Owner, Long-time Kentfield Resident

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE E

Measure E is Too much money for way too little.

• Measure E adds another $96,000,000 of new taxes to float a $48,000,000 bond. It funds what’s effectively a to-do list of deferred and future maintenance projects.
• Bonds usually create something new of lasting value that benefits the future generations who pay for it, e.g., additional classrooms for a growing student body. Kentfield School District’s enrollment is falling.
• Measure E’s project list includes repainting, refinishing bathrooms, asphalt, re-stuccoing, restriping parking lots, and roof repairs.

Bonds on top of bonds and parcel taxes

• Voters approved KSD’s $30,000,000 bond measure in 2014 and another $11,600,000 in 2004. They’re still on your tax bill.
• Measure E adds to your taxes another $290 per $1,000,000 assessed value on top of $257 per $1,000,000 from the prior 2 bonds. Seniors and low income people are NOT exempt.
• KSD’s 2024/5 parcel tax of nearly $1,800 is among California’s highest.
• Tam Union High School District’s bond Measure B, on this same ballot, adds to the burden. It levies $170 per $1,000,000 assessed value.

Laying off maintenance costs onto future generations to pay today’s high operating costs

• Kentfield could not reach a contract settlement with labor unions in 2024. The budget’s too tight.
• Voters rebuffed a higher parcel tax proposal in 2016.
• Funding maintenance with multiple 30-year bonds appears to be their solution.
• KSD ‘s tiny size is fiscally inefficient. For just 1,100 students, there’s a superintendent and a complete administrative staff.

Transparency deficits

• Measure E’s ballot 75-word ballot question doesn’t mention the tax’s $96,000,000 cost with interest, nor the 25-year term.
• Seniors should be told there are no exemptions
• Measure E flew under the radar, without meaningful community outreach before putting it on the ballot.
• There’s no video of board meetings. The record is inscrutable.

Demand more sound budgeting, transparency, affordability and community inclusion. Vote NO.

COALITION OF SENSIBLE TAXPAYERS
Mimi Willard, President

KATHRYN GOLDSMITH
Former President, Kent Woodlands Property Owners Association

JULIA VIOLICH
Financial Advisor for Safe Routes to School

JOAN BENNETT
Kent School & Redwood Graduate

REIDE BAXTER
VP, Greenbrae Management Inc.

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE E

The group against Measure E opposes virtually all investments in public schools. Six years ago, they opposed funding to prevent cuts to teachers and academic programs in Kentfield schools, yet our community said YES. Now, they want our aging classrooms to deteriorate, potentially compromising safety. Let’s band together once again, debunk misinformation and scare tactics, and do what’s right for our kids.

What they unfairly characterize as a “to do list of maintenance projects” are critical repairs to protect student safety, support quality education, and allow our schools to function.

Leaky roofs disrupt learning and need to be replaced. Deteriorating plumbing systems impact access to safe drinking water. Restrooms used by hundreds of students need renovation. Fencing improvements are essential for student safety. Aging solar systems need replacement to protect funding for instruction, while backup generators are essential to keep schools open during power outages.

Over the past year, Kentfield School District worked with experts to carefully assess the needs at each school, developed plans for priority repairs, and shared information repeatedly at public meetings.

It has been a decade since the last school improvement bond passed. Reports from the independent oversight committee confirm that funding from past bonds was spent as promised.

Excellent local schools were one of the reasons many of us moved to Kentfield and we all benefit from quality local schools and the strong property values they support.

Let’s continue Kentfield’s tradition of supporting our children and our schools by voting Yes on E.

MARIA MARTIN
Bacich School Principal, 19-year resident

LAURA SCHMIDT
Executive Director of Marin Enrichment, 45-year resident

JEFFREY LEH
Kent Woodlands Resident, Current KSD Parent

ANN PECKENPAUGH BECKER
Former President of Kent Woodlands Property Owners Association

CHRISTINE DEVOTO
Marin County Special Educator, 40-year Kentfield resident

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE E

EXHIBIT B

KENTFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
SAFE, WARM, AND DRY SCHOOLS MEASURE

By approval of this measure by at least fifty-five percent (55%) of the registered voters voting thereon, the Kentfield School District (“District”) shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $48 million in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed below in the Bond Project List, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified herein.

SECTION I: KEY FINDINGS

• Kentfield School District (“District”) strives to provide every student with a high-quality, well-rounded education that prepares them for success in high school, college, and future careers.
• While District teachers provide a high-quality education to local students, many classrooms and school facilities at Bacich Elementary School and Kent Middle School need repairs and upgrades to meet modern academic and safety standards, to ensure all schools provide a safe, warm and dry space to protect students and staff, and to provide modern classrooms that will attract and retain the best teachers and staff.
• To identify specific facility needs at each school and to prioritize improvements based on urgency and importance, our District partnered with school facility experts to assess the condition of every classroom, lab and school facility in the District to identify needed repairs and improvements.
• Based on this assessment, the District has determined that additional funds are needed to begin addressing the most urgent needs identified, such as:
  • Repairing and replacing failing roofs;
  • Repairing aging plumbing to maintain safe drinking water;
  • Renovating deteriorating student restrooms;
  • Improving campus fencing/ security systems to protect student safety; and
  • Upgrading electrical systems to support energy efficiency and school operations.
• The state does not provide funding for facility improvements, so local schools cannot maintain modern facilities, infrastructure and technology without a local funding source.
• The Board of Trustees believes that locally controlled funding from a school facilities improvement bond measure is needed to fund identified upgrades and repairs at local elementary schools.
• Proceeds from a voter-approved school facilities improvement bond measure would be controlled locally for District schools only and could not be taken away by the State.
• None of the money raised would be used for administrators’ salaries or pensions or other school operating expenses.
• An independent citizens’ oversight committee, mandatory annual audits and public disclosure of all spending will help ensure funds are spent as intended.

SECTION II: ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

The provisions in this section are included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers of the District may be assured that their money will be spent to address specific facilities needs of the 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 Trustees has evaluated the facilities needs of the District and has identified projects to finance from a local bond measure at this time. The Board of Trustees has certified that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List.

Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee in accordance with Education Code sections 15278-15282 and applicable Board policy, to ensure bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List. The committee shall be established within sixty (60) days of the date when the Board of Trustees enters the results of the election in its official minutes.

Annual Performance Audit. The Board of Trustees shall conduct or cause to be conducted an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects described in the Bond Project List.

Annual Financial Audit. The Board of Trustees shall conduct or cause to be conducted an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent.

Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this measure and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Trustees 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 of Trustees no later than January 1 of each year, commencing on the first January 1 after bonds have been issued and proceeds spent, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in the past fiscal year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may be incorporated into the annual budget, annual financial report, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

SECTION III: BOND PROJECT LIST

This Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this measure, describes the specific projects the District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. All information contained within this “Section III: Bond Project List” comprises the Bond Project List and description of permissible projects and expenses that may be paid from bond proceeds.

In order to meet all identified facility needs, the District intends to complete projects using a combination of funding sources, including joint use funds or contributions, development impact fees, and state funding (if available). The District will pursue state matching funds if and when they become available and, if received, they will be used for projects on the Bond Project List or other high priority capital outlay expenditures as permitted by law. Approval of this measure does not guarantee that all projects on this Bond Project List at all listed sites will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this measure. The District’s proposal for the projects assumes the receipt of some state matching funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. Bond funds may be used to meet any matching share contribution requirements.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement, furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, all as listed on the Bond Project List. All projects to be financed with bonds authorized by this measure listed on the Bond Project List have been determined by the District to be “school facilities” as that term is used in the California Constitution. “School facilities” include projects at school sites as well as administrative and teacher/staff support facilities which are necessary for, and related to, the delivery of high-quality education services. Unless specified otherwise, projects listed below may be completed at any property, school site or facility (including administrative/ancillary support facility) where such project is determined necessary, including the following schools:

Bacich Elementary School
Kent Middle School

Specific projects to be funded by the bond measure include the following:

• Repair or replace failing roofs
• Repair or upgrade plumbing systems to maintain safe drinking water;
• Improve campus fencing/ safety systems, including, without limitation, student safety fencing along McAllister Avenue and emergency communication across school campuses;
• Renovate, repair and/or refinish or modernize deteriorating student restrooms;
• Replace deteriorated classroom casework and flooring in selected areas;
• Remove aging portable building at Kent Middle School;
• Add new or replace failing cooling systems for IT network closets to prolong lifespan of information technology equipment;
• Improve student/staff/driver safety and traffic circulation by upgrading school parking lots and access roads with new asphalt overlay and restriping campus parking lots;
• Repaint and/or restucco campus exteriors to extend lifespan of weather resistant surfaces;
• Replace and improve electrical systems and solar panels and install backup generators to prevent disruptions to learning.

Listed projects, repairs, improvements, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed only as needed, and the listing of projects does not imply a particular prioritization among such improvements. Projects may be done in phases, based on Board of Trustees priorities available funding. Listed projects may be completed at any and all District schools, sites, properties (owned, leased or yet to be acquired) and education buildings where such project is determined necessary. Decisions regarding the scope, timing, prioritization or other facets of project implementation will be made solely by the Board of Trustees by subsequent action. Where terms such as “renovate,” “upgrade,” “replace” and “improve” are used in the Bond Project List, the Board of Trustees has the discretion to determine the best method for accomplishing the project’s objective, including the use of new construction. For any listed project involving renovation or modernization of a building or the major portion of a building, the District may proceed with new replacement construction instead (including any necessary demolition), if the District determines that replacement and new construction is more practical than renovation, considering the building’s age, condition, expected remaining life, comparative cost and other relevant factors. In addition, where feasible, projects may be completed in partnership with other public or private agencies on a joint use basis using bond proceeds, subject to federal tax rules and regulations.

Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of bond issuance, architectural, engineering, legal and similar planning costs; litigation costs; construction management; bond project consultants and District employee staff that administer the bond construction program; staff development and training expenses associated with learning construction techniques and approaches and new bond-funded equipment and systems; the furnishing and equipping of all projects, including, without limitation, equipment to maintain facilities in a safe and clean condition, and instructional equipment to improve student learning experience; and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. Payment of the costs of preparation of facilities planning and project implementation studies, feasibility and assessment reviews, master planning, environmental studies, permit and inspection fees, Division of State Architect (DSA) - related requirements, studies and assessments, including ADA and seismic, and temporary housing and relocation costs for dislocated programs or activities caused or necessitated by projects on the Bond Project List, as well as hazardous materials abatement or management of other unforeseen conditions discovered or necessitated by construction projects, are permissible bond expenditures. Bond proceeds may be used to retire any interim funding incurred to advance fund projects described on the Bond Project List.

The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Necessary site preparation, grading or restoration may occur in connection with acquisition of property, new construction, modernization, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of modular classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads and acquiring any necessary easements, leases, licenses or rights of way to the property.

SECTION IV: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

No Operating Expenses. Proceeds from the sale of Bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities on the Bond Project List, including the furnishing and equipping of said school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for said school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher or administrator salaries and other school operating expenses in accordance with applicable law.

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.

Other Terms of the Bonds. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and in accordance with a financing plan determined by the Board of Trustees pursuant to requirements of law. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum and with a maximum term not exceeding the statutory maximum, provided that the average useful life of bonds sold will not exceed one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the average life of the projects being financed or as otherwise provided by federal tax law. Bond funds may be used to reimburse the District for Bond Project list expenditures incurred prior to the election and bond issuance, in accordance with federal tax law.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the financial information contained in this measure is based upon the District’s projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District, nor are the summary or average payment estimates, if any, provided in the Ballot Label. The actual tax rates, debt service 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.

In preparing this information, the District obtained reasonable and informed projections of assessed property valuations that took into consideration projections of assessed property valuations made by the County Assessor, if any, in accordance with Education Code Section 15100(c).