SAN RAFAEL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE A
MEASURE A: To upgrade and repair schools with local funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall San Rafael City Elementary School District update, renovate/construct science, technology, engineering, math/core academic classrooms, replace aging electrical, plumbing/HVAC systems, make classrooms accessible for students with disabilities, repair, construct, acquire/equip classrooms, sites and facilities by issuing $108,225,000 of bonds at legal rates, with citizen oversight, no money for administrators’ salaries, benefits or pensions, and all funds used for San Rafael schools?
BONDS YES BONDS NO
COUNTY COUNSEL’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF BOND MEASURE A
SAN RAFAEL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND MEASURE ELECTION
This measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Education of the San Rafael Elementary School District to authorize the sale of One Hundred Eight Million Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand dollars ($108,225,000) in general obligation bonds.
If this Measure is approved by a 55% vote, the San Rafael City Elementary School District would be authorized to incur bonded indebtedness of up to $108,225,000 with an interest rate not to exceed the limit set by law. The proceeds of the proposed bonds must be used for the purposes set forth in the Measure and not for any other purpose. The bond proceeds may not be used for teacher or administrative salaries, benefits or pensions, or other school operating expenses. The bond will be subject to oversight by a citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits.
STEVEN M. WOODSIDE
County Counsel
By s/Sheila Lichtblau, Deputy County Counsel
TAX RATE STATEMENT FOR BOND MEASURE A
An election will be held in the San Rafael City Elementary School District (the "District") on November 3, 2015 to authorize the sale of $108,225,000 in general obligation bonds. If such bonds are authorized and sold, principal and interest on the bonds will be payable only from the proceeds of tax levies made on the taxable property in the District. These estimates are based on projections derived from information obtained from official sources and other demonstrable factors. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary depending on the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale, and actual increases in assessed valuations. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code.
i. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to fund this 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 $0.0300 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17.
ii. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to fund this 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 $0.0300 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2022-23.
iii. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is $0.0300 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation, which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year the bonds remain outstanding.
iv. 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 will be approximately $261.3 million.
Based upon the forgoing and projections of the District’s assessed valuation, the timing of the bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the needs of the District and other factors. Actual assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the Marin County Assessor in the assessment and the equalization process.
Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property in the District as shown 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.
s/MICHAEL WATENPAUGH
Superintendent
San Rafael City Elementary School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF BOND MEASURE A
Vote YES on Measure A to provide quality San Rafael elementary and middle schools and equip our children with the skills they need for success. Every penny from this measure will benefit local students and cannot be taken by the state.
Measure A and its companion measure, Measure B, work together to ensure safe and modern classrooms for all our students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Measure A upgrades our local elementary and middle schools and Measure B upgrades our high schools.
Voting YES on A & B means that our schools, classrooms, labs and instructional technology can be upgraded to help ensure that all our students are ready to go on to high school, college, good jobs and the careers of the future.
Measures A & B provide additional classrooms, labs and equipment needed to reduce school overcrowding and meet growing demand for hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Specifically, voting YES on A will:
• Provide middle school science classrooms
• Update, renovate and construct science, technology, engineering, math and core academic classrooms
• Provide dedicated classrooms for music, art and advanced programs
• Provide up-to-date classroom computers, instructional technology and technology infrastructure, including upgrading electrical wiring to current safety codes
All Funds Stay in San Rafael Schools:
• Every penny benefits our local elementary and middle schools and cannot be taken by the state
• By law, no money can be used for administrator salaries
• Independent citizens’ oversight and annual audits ensure that all funds are spent as promised
The quality of local schools also contributes to the value of our homes. Investing in our schools makes our neighborhoods more desirable, increasing our property values.
Parents, teachers, and business and community leaders all agree – Measures A & B will help San Rafael elementary, middle and high school students succeed. Join them and vote YES on A & B!
s/JARED HUFFMAN
Parent/Congressman
s/SCOTT McKOWN
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of
Marin County
s/NATU TUATAGALOA
President, San Rafael Board of Education
s/ROB EPSTEIN
Parent/San Rafael City Attorney
s/PATTY GARBARINO
Businesswoman/Member, Marin County
Board of Education
NO ARGUMENT AGAINST BOND MEASURE A WAS FILED.
FULL TEXT OF BOND MEASURE A
OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND MEASURE
ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2015
The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the San Rafael City Elementary School District.
“To upgrade and repair schools with local funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall San Rafael City Elementary School District update, renovate/construct science, technology, engineering, math/core academic classrooms, replace aging electrical, plumbing/HVAC systems, make classrooms accessible for students with disabilities, repair, construct, acquire/equip classrooms, sites and facilities by issuing $108,225,000 of bonds at legal rates, with citizen oversight, no money for administrators’ salaries, benefits or pensions, and all funds used for San Rafael schools?”
PROJECT LIST
The Board of Education of the San Rafael City Elementary School District is committed to safe local schools with upgraded classrooms, science, mathematics and career/college preparation labs and up-to-date technology systems to keep pace with current learning standards. To that end, the Board evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including student safety, class size reduction, computer and information technology in developing the scope of projects to be funded in a fiscally responsible manner. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input through school site meetings, community presentations, opinion leader input, and interactive materials engaging hundreds of community constituents. Teachers, staff, parents, community members and the Board have prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive to address. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Education determines that the District:
(i) Must maintain the quality of local education by providing hands-on science labs and science classrooms;
(ii) Must update, renovate and construct science, technology, engineering, math and core academic classrooms, including dedicated classrooms for music and art.
(iii) Must upgrade electrical wiring and replace and replace aging roofs to meet current safety codes.
(iv) Must add classrooms to reduce overcrowding;
(v) Must adhere to specific fiscal accountability safeguards such as:
(a) All expenditures must be subject to annual independent financial audits.
(b) ALL FUNDS MUST BE SUBJECT TO LOCAL CONTROL AND CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY BY THE STATE.
MSRE-2
(c) No funds can be used for administrators’ salaries and pensions.
(d) AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST BE APPOINTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY AS AUTHORIZED.
The Project List includes the following types of upgrades and improvements at all of the District’s schools:
• Bahia Vista Elementary School
• Short Elementary School
• Coleman Elementary School
• Sun Valley Elementary School
• Glenwood Elementary School
• Davidson Middle School
• Laurel Dell Elementary School
• Venetia Valley K-8 School
• San Pedro Elementary School
• Old Gallinas Elementary School
Classroom Renovation, Repair, Upgrade
and Expansion Projects
With Locally Controlled Funds
that Cannot Be Taken By the State
Goal and Purpose: Since providing classrooms, science labs, and equipment needed for career and college preparation classes is critical so students are prepared for college and high-paying careers and jobs of the future, local schools will benefit from projects, including:
• Upgrade and construct classrooms and science labs to keep pace with technology and reduce overcrowding.
• Update, renovate and construct science, technology, engineering, math and core academic classrooms.
• Repair or replace old, deteriorated roofs, electrical and plumbing systems to meet current safety codes.
• Repair and renovate outdated classrooms and school buildings.
• Add electrical service capacity to relieve overloaded electrical systems so that they can handle modern instructional technology.
• Provide dedicated classrooms for music and art.
Safety, Security and Energy Efficiency School Projects
Goal and Purpose: Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting the quality of our schools, the quality of life in our community and the value of our homes is a wise investment. This measure will upgrade security lighting, and campus security systems for improved student safety. Schools will benefit from a variety of energy efficiency projects, such as:
• Replace aging, outdated portables with modern classrooms that meet current health, safety and academic standards.
• Improve older schools so that they meet the same safety and academic standards as newer schools.
• Upgrade schools to make them accessible to students with disabilities.
• Upgrade and install new security systems, such as outdoor lighting, cameras, alarms, gates and classroom door locks.
• Replace old, outdated and insufficient electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.
• Improve pick-up and drop-off zones and parking lots at school sites to improve student safety and traffic flow, and minimize traffic and parking near neighborhood school sites.
• Replace old and inefficient windows, lighting, irrigation, heating and ventilation systems which waste money and use the savings to protect the quality of instruction in core subjects like reading, math, science and technology.
• Install energy efficient systems to save money and return the savings to classrooms.
District-Wide Instructional Technology,
Academic Programs and College Preparation Projects
To Prepare Students for the Future
Goal and Purpose: To ensure all students have equal access to up-to-date classrooms, libraries and college and career education programs and to upgrade classroom computers and computer technology to allow our teachers and students to use up-to-date teaching methods and enhance instruction in core academic subjects like science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and permit students to compete for good jobs of the future and be prepared for college:
• Install and maintain network infrastructure to keep technology up-to-date.
• Upgrade instructional technology in the classroom for improved student learning.
• Provide and maintain up-to-date technology, data and communication equipment.
• Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, Internet and network connections.
• Update science and math lab technology to help students prepare for careers and good-paying jobs.
• Upgrade libraries.
* * *
The listed projects set forth above and below will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency, and escalation for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List also includes the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, environmental studies, construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, interactive white boards, sound projection systems, printers, document projectors, upgrade voice-over-IP, phone systems, call manager and network security and firewalls, wireless networks, computer labs, fiber optic cabling, phone system and other miscellaneous equipment. The construction/repair of school facilities includes the expansion, upgrade and replacement of school site parking, aging portable classrooms, improvement of campus accessibility, upgrade utilities and grounds, physical education facilities and playground equipment, hard court surfaces, shade structures, libraries, District-wide and school site administration and support facilities; enhance signage, fire sensors; refinance outstanding lease obligations; replace damaged and unsafe gym bleachers, upgrade hydration stations; provide music, art, and performing arts classrooms, upgrade electrical wiring, tracks, gym flooring, lockers, athletic and play fields turf may be upgraded for safety and operational efficiency, and may include synthetic turf, construct new facilities and classrooms, renovate and paint interior and exterior building surfaces to extend their useful life; improve ceilings, walls, flooring, security, safety and communication systems and equipment, window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting), upgrade or construct kitchens/cafeterias and acquire kitchen equipment; and upgrade irrigation systems. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by 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. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Relocation or demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Relocation expenses caused by the sale or reuse of school facilities or property may also be funded with bond proceeds. Necessary site preparation/restoration and landscaping may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, redirecting fire access, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property.
Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the purposes identified herein. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projects. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code Section 53410.
FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL APPOINT A CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. 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 school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and school administrator salaries and other operating expenses.