TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE
By approval of this measure by at least fifty-five percent (55%) of the registered voters voting thereon, the Tamalpais Union High School District (“District”) shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $517,000,000 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
- Tam High, Redwood, Archie Williams, San Andreas and Tamiscal High Schools consistently rank among the best high schools in the state and the nation.
- The approximately 5,000 students in the District perform well above state and national averages.
- Many District graduates are accepted into top colleges and universities around the country.
- However, with Tam High over 100 years old and Redwood and Archie Williams over 60 years old, District high schools are aging and in need of repair.
- To identify facility needs at each District school site and to prioritize improvements based on urgency and importance, the District performed a thorough assessment of all facilities by architects and school construction experts.
- Along with this assessment, District staff collected and analyzed feedback from more than 775 school and community stakeholders.
- Taken together, this outreach formed the basis of the District’s Facilities Master Plan, drafted during the Spring of 2022.
- Additional funds are needed to begin addressing the most urgent needs identified in the Facilities Master Plan, such as:
- Repair and replacement of aging and leaking roofs;
- Repair and replacement of outdated and inefficient heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems;
- Improvements to classroom, science lab, technology and infrastructure at all District campuses;
- Updates to technology and equipment for classrooms, science and computer labs;
- Updates to career and job training classrooms for current educational standards;
- Updates to art, music and performing arts classrooms; and
- Replacement of outdated, aging and deteriorating temporary portable classrooms;
- 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 are needed to fund identified upgrades and repairs at local high schools.
- Proceeds from a voter-approved school facilities improvement bond measure would be controlled locally for District high 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.
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 Education 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 proposition, 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 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 on the Bond Project List. Projects listed below may be completed at any and all properties, school sites and facilities where such project is determined necessary, and projects are authorized to be performed at each and all of the District’s high schools and the adult school, and administrative and ancillary support facilities, whether owned, leased or yet to be acquired, including, without limitation, the following school sites and properties:
- Archie Williams High School
- Redwood High School
- San Andreas High School
- Tamalpais High School
- Tamiscal High School
Specific projects to be funded by the bond measure include the following:
A. COMPLETE BASIC REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS AND SYSTEM UPGRADES
- Replace and upgrade outdated classroom buildings at Tamalpais and Redwood High Schools;
- Replace and/or upgrade outdated portable buildings on school campuses, including, without limitation, at replacement of portable buildings at Tamiscal High School with new modular buildings; remove unused, outdated portable buildings from school campuses;
- Replace deteriorating and leaky roofs;;
- Repaint school exteriors and interiors and refresh or replace trees and landscaping;
- Repair and replace aging student restrooms, including gender neutral toilet modernization, reconfiguration, and additions;
- Improve technology infrastructure to increase bandwidth Districtwide and enhance network-based content and curriculum delivery; provide updated classroom audio/visual technology for content delivery and presentation (which may include projectors and/or large format flat-screen monitors and sound and voice amplification systems); Acquire and/or improve classroom technology, upgrade backbone systems wireless access points, switches, and MDF/IDF data rooms with environmental controls.
B. PROVIDE STUDENT HEALTH/SAFETY UPGRADES AND ENERGY/RESOURCE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS
- Repair/replace leaking water and irrigation lines and valves to improve water efficiency;
- Modernize plumbing, heating and cooling systems to reduce carbon footprint, conserve water, reduce wastewater and improve student learning environments;
- Repair/replace outdated electrical switchgear to improve resilience and safety;
- Repair/modernize fire and life safety systems including alarms, elevators and fire exits;
- Upgrade restrooms and path of travel to improve access for students with disabilities and meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements;
- Improve security at schools by providing wayfinding, signage, fire and classroom intrusion alarms, public address and emergency communication systems, safety locks on classroom doors, campus access control systems and exterior lighting for student safety;
- Provide solar photovoltaic parking structures and electric vehicle charging stations to offset energy usage, reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices;
- Provide solar water heaters to reduce energy consumption and improve sustainability;
- Expand/reconfigure student services spaces to enhance student wellness;
- Improve vehicle and bicycle parking lots and drop-off areas to enhance student safety and improve traffic circulation; resurface asphalt parking areas;
- Expand storage for emergency supplies;
- Upgrade theatrical lighting to LED to improve efficiency and reduce heat load.
C. RENOVATE, UPGRADE AND IMPROVE CLASSROOMS, LABS, LEARNING SPACES AND TECHNOLOGY
- Construct, furnish and equip flexible classrooms, learning studios, innovation centers, performance spaces, collaboration spaces, and maker spaces for STEAM, art, robotics, auto shop, technology, computer lab, broadcast media, music, and drama at all comprehensive high schools;
- Provide additional shade structures to offer outdoor learning, gathering, and dining spaces;
- Upgrade, remodel, expand, repurpose, install, construct, modernize, reconfigure, or relocate food service facilities and dining spaces, including related equipment and/or appliances.
- Modernize physical education classrooms, weight rooms, and storage; refurbish swimming pools and add cogeneration systems to improve safety and energy efficiency; replace grass fields and existing synthetic turf fields with all-weather synthetic turf to improve water efficiency, control run-off and extend playable hours; improve track and athletic facilities; add, resurface, and/or restripe hardcourts; add or repair existing playfields;
- Construct and/or improve, furnish and equip performing arts and music spaces and venues;
- Expand and modernize career-technical education classrooms, labs and equipment to prepare students for careers in fields like health science, engineering, technology and skilled trades;
- Construct and/or expand and upgrade buildings and rooms to support student health and wellness services and programs;
- Furnish and equip all classrooms and learning spaces.
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; 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 equipment to maintain facilities in a safe and clean condition; 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 are permissible bond expenditures.
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 Education 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).