VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.
Shall the Soquel Union Elementary School District repair and renovate all five existing schools at their current locations (not including Jade Street Park): eliminate safety hazards and make health/safety improvements; upgrade inadequate electrical systems; upgrade inadequate heating/ventilation systems; replace deteriorated facilities; modernize and construct classrooms, libraries, computer stations, restrooms, and facilities to improve inadequate conditions and overcrowding; provide handicapped access, by issuing $15 million of bonds at interest rates below the legal limit?	· Demolish and replace uneven concrete walkways · Resurface parking lot · Replace windows Soquel Elementary School · Replace boiler heating system with individual gas-fired units · Replace sewer system · Replace classroom and restroom plumbing · Replace roofing on main building, auditorium and relocatable classrooms · Replace asphalt path in front of school with concrete pathway · Replace electrical service main/sub panels and distribution throughout school · Replace ADA noncompliant ramps · Prepare classrooms for computer wiring · Add motion detectors for security · Improve restroom including access for the disabled · Replace asphalt between and around library and classrooms, in kindergarten area and related site work. · Replace damaged windows · Replace casework in administration office · Install lift for the disabled in the multi-use room New Brighton Middle School · Modernize all permanent classrooms · Replace some relocatables with permanent classrooms · Modernize restrooms · Modernize resource/meeting and special teaching spaces · Construct new staff/ administration offices · Construct new multipurpose/stage/cafeteria room · Construct new central kitchen · Add new restrooms · Add new play areas · Pave hard-court play area · Construct and repave parking areas · Provide landscaping around new structures · Provide utility improvements as required` As required by the California Constitution, the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for the provision of school facilities by construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of existing 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. In addition, the proceeds from the sale of the bond will only be used for construction and modernization of all five current district schools at their existing locations and not for any other locations such as Jade Street Park. The proceeds of the bonds will be deposited to a Building Fund and the chief fiscal officer of the District will annually file a report with the Board of Trustees, which report shall contain information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in the ballot measure.
BALLOT MEASURE A FULL TEXT OF MEASURE Shall the Soquel Union Elementary School District repair and renovate all five existing schools at their current locations (not including Jade Street Park): · Eliminate safety hazards and make health/safety improvements, · Upgrade inadequate electrical systems, · Upgrade inadequate heating/ventilation systems, · Replace deteriorated facilities, · Modernize and construct classrooms, libraries, computer stations, restrooms, and facilities to improve inadequate conditions and overcrowding, · Provide handicapped access, by issuing $15 million of bonds at interest rates below the legal limit? The following are the specific school facilities projects to be funded as identified through a district-wide review process involving and agreed upon by representatives from all schools: Capitola Elementary School · Modernize all existing permanent classrooms · Modernize existing and add student restrooms · Modernize and expand existing multipurpose room · Repave asphalt play areas · Paving, utility and landscaping improvements Main Street Elementary School · Construct new student restrooms · Repair concrete stairs and install railings Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School · Upgrade main/sub electrical panel and distribution system · Replace existing intercom system with integrated phone/intercom/PA system · Replace existing fire alarm system for entire school · Construct walkway canopies · Demolish and replace asphalt in play areas and related site work · Replace carpeting · Redirect drainage around classroom and replace floors · Construct new multipurpose room/cafeteria · Improve restroom including disabled access

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

The District’s Board of Trustees has certified that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the foregoing list. The District’s Board of Trustees will conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the funds have been expended only on the project list set forth above. The District’s Board of Trustees will conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects. Pursuant to Section 15272 of the Education Code, the District’s Board of Trustees will appoint a citizens’ oversight committee and conduct annual independent audits to assure that funds are spent only on school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes. As required by Section 53410 of the Government Code the following accountability measures are hereby made a part of the District’s Bond Measure: (a) The specific purpose of the bonds is to improve the quality of education by constructing and modernizing school facilities. (b) The proceeds from the sale of the District’s bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in the Measure, and not for any other purpose; (c) The proceeds of the Bonds will be deposited into a Building Fund to be held by the Santa Cruz County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code; and (d) The chief fiscal officer of the District shall file an annual report with the Board of Trustees of the District, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in the Measure. Approval of this Bond Measure (the "Measure") does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Soquel Union Elementary School District that are the subject of bonds under the Measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the Measure. Some of the school district’s proposals for the project or projects may depend on the receipt of matching state funds (which would be used for planned improvements on all five existing district schools at their current locations and not for any other locations such as Jade Street Park), which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

See following page for analyses.

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL MEASURE A If approved by at least fifty-five percent of those voting, this measure will permit up to $15,000,000 of bonds to be issued on behalf of the Soquel Union Elementary School District. These bonds would constitute a debt of that School District. The money raised through sale of the bonds could be used by the School District for the purposes stated in the ballot question and in the full text of the measure, which is printed in this pamphlet. If issued and sold, the maximum term of the bonds and the maximum interest paid on the bonds would be limited by State law. Payment of the interest on the bonds (and principal, when applicable) would be financed by a tax levied on real property within the School District. The Tax Rate Statement for this measure which is printed in this ballot pamphlet provides information about that tax, as required by law. The precise effect of the bonds upon the property tax rate within the District would only be determined after sale of the bonds. A “yes” vote on Measure A is a vote to approve the bonds. A “no” vote on Measure A is a vote not to approve the bonds. DANA McRAE, COUNTY COUNSEL By Jane M. Scott, Assistant County Counsel

TAX RATE STATEMENT FOR BOND MEASURE A An election will be held in Soquel Union School District (the “District”) on March 5, 2002 to authorize the sale of $15 million in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code. 1. 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 $.02808 per $100 ($28.08 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2002-03. 2. 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 $.02983 per $100 ($29.83 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2008-09. 3. 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 $.02983 per $100 ($29.83 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2008-09. 4. The average tax rate that would be required to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $.01774 per $100 ($17.74 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. These estimates are based on projections derived from information obtained from official sources. 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 timing of the bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the needs of the District. Actual assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process. Dated: November 14, 2001 s/ Dan Cope Superintendent Soquel Union School District

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A Soquel Union Elementary School District General Obligation Bonds Your YES vote on Measure A will have a lasting, positive impact on every school in our District. The repairs and upgrades funded by this bond will provide our children with the type of learning environment in which we, as a community, can be proud. These projects include: · Replacing inadequate heating and ventilation systems, · Making basic repairs to classrooms including new lighting, flooring, and windows, · Providing students with increased classroom computer access, · Repairing classroom communication systems for student safety, · Renovating student restrooms including handicapped access, · Upgrading 35 year-old electrical systems for modern technology, · Repairing deteriorated asphalt surfaces, and · Making health and safety improvements at every school. Measure A makes sense for our entire community. Passage will make the District eligible for over $4.6 million in State matching funds. An official citizens oversight committee will be established as required by law. It will monitor the spending of Measure A monies ensuring that they are spent appropriately. Moreover, this oversight will guarantee that the official ballot language stating that no bond funds will be used to develop Jade Street Park is rigorously enforced. We all know the importance of education and the value of quality school facilities. Measure A will be used only to improve our children's schools – not to pay administrative salaries. Invest in our community's future by voting YES ON MEASURE A! s/ Gayle Trista Ortiz, Capitola City Council s/ Bruce R. Arthur, Capitola City Council Member & Former Mayor s/ Don O’Regan, Realtor, Thunderbird Real Estate s/ Linda Fridy, Chair, Friends of Main Street s/ Dean Kingston

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A The best rebuttal to the argument in favor of Measure A is that, “it’s a sugar-coated pipe dream.” The argument in favor of Measure A fails to mention that Measure A is merely the first phase of a two phase bond measure campaign which is insufficient to fund what the school district is promising us from this bond measure. The school district is asking us to fund a failure that we will be later obligated to bail out. The true costs are unknown. Completion of the wish list is not possible with even 40 million dollars let alone the 15 million dollars they are seeking with this bond measure. If you want the truth about Measure A go to the school’s own web site and read it for yourself: (http://www.soqueldo.santacruz.k12.ca.us/Facilities/TaskForceMinutes101001.html) · “……the proposed budget reflects improvements that is over the $15 million limit ($16,785,709)… District….hoping that state bond funds will make up the differences.” · “Projects to be completed in the 2nd bond phase. ($24,344,643) far exceed the $15 million limit.” · “The total budget for all the projects is $37 million dollars. The local bonds along with state bond money equals $35 million dollars.” Measure A is bad, ill conceived, and deceitful. Measure A promises what it cannot fulfill. ON MARCH 5, 2002, VOTE NO ON MEASURE A s/ Vernon C. Bohr Jr. s/ Carolyn M. Busenhart

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A We grow weary of writing these ballot arguments, but will continue to write them as long as the school districts continue to try and tax us because they think they can. Whereas they have been unable to get the two thirds majority vote necessary to pick our pockets in the past, they think they can now do so with a 55 percent majority vote. The Measure names change but the con’s still the same. Tax ourselves more without knowing what for. For a generalized list of projects no one will miss. With no bids for the costs our money is lost. Without knowing how much we should be a soft touch. In the name of our children, we should really be willing. To part with our cash because they merely ask. Though we don't know the need we should happily bleed. But why should we fund what may not be done. For they can’t guarantee, what you say that they need. For the safety and good of our children we would. But this measure’s a con so quickly be gone. Read the measure, it says: “Some of the School Districts proposals……depend on the receipt of matching state funds…..” and “Approval of this Bond Measure (the “Measure”) does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects……will be funded beyond local revenues generated by the measure.” TRANSLATION: GIVE US THE MONEY BUT WE WON’T GUARANTEE ANYTHING THE TIME TO CONSIDER A SCHOOL BOND MEASURE IS IF AND WHEN THE PROJECTS ARE CLEARLY DEFINED, THE COSTS CLEARLY KNOWN, AND THE PROBABILITY OF COMPLETING THEM FAIRLY CERTAIN. MEASURE A DOES NONE OF THIS, IS A BAD MEASURE, AND DESERVES YOUR NO VOTE. ON MARCH 5, 2002, VOTE NO ON MEASURE A s/ Carolyn M. Busenhart s/ Vernon C. Bohr Jr.

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A This bond guarantees a higher standard of accountability than ever before. A new state law requires that an independent citizens’ advisory committee reviews all spending and construction. The school repairs are clearly defined. A task force of citizens, parents, staff, and community leaders worked together to identify the most essential needs for each school. As required by law, the specific repairs are listed in the bond and all construction projects will undergo a competitive bidding process to insure that we receive the best prices. Passing this school bond will allow our district to qualify for future State funding to do additional projects beyond the scope of this bond. If we do not receive State funding we will complete the projects listed under this bond. Our schools are old and deteriorating. Four of our five schools are over 35 years old and one is 86 years old! Our facilities have been described as deplorable, and if not repaired, will pose real health and safety risks to our children. The bond will cost homeowners each year less than the price of going out for dinner and a movie. That’s just $1.50 a month for $100,000 of “assessed” value—which is often significantly less than market value. The quality of our schools is directly related to keeping our neighborhoods thriving, our businesses robust, and our property values strong. Translation: The projects are clearly defined, the costs clearly estimated, and the probability of completing them is certain if you vote for measure A. s/ John Leopold, Cabrillo College Trustee s/ Michael De Mars, Fire Inspector, Central Fire Protection District s/ Lynette Hamby, Owner, Hamby Enterprises, Inc. s/ Chuck Manning, Owner, Chuck Manning Auto Services

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