Full text of Measure S

INTRODUCTION

To improve the quality of local schools; repair or replace roofs; construct Science/Engineering and Career Technical Education facilities; and make health and safety improvements; shall San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District’s measure be adopted authorizing $75,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, generating approximately $4.3 million annually while bonds are outstanding with levies of approximately 6 cents per $100 assessed value, with annual audits, citizens’ oversight, no money for salaries and all money for local projects?

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $75.0 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 Santa Cruz 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 XIII A, 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 the acquisition or lease 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, if available, could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

INFORMATION ABOUT ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS INCLUDED IN BALLOT

This measure authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance the types of projects set forth on the Bond Project List set forth below, to be repaid by tax collections for the years that bonds are outstanding.  The measure presented to District voters on the Ballot, as set forth above under the heading “INTRODUCTION”, includes information regarding the expected average amount of money to be raised annually to pay issued bonds, the estimated rate of the approved tax per $100 of assessed valuation, and the year through which it is approximated the proposed tax will be levied and collected.  Each of these estimates and approximations are provided as informational only.  Such amounts are estimates only, and are not maximum amounts or limitations on the terms of the bonds or the tax rate or duration supporting repayment of bonds.  The approximations and estimates provided depend on numerous variables which are subject to variation and change over the term of the District’s overall facilities and bond financing plan, including but not limited to the amount of bonds issued and outstanding at any one time, the interest rates applicable to issued bonds, market conditions at the time of sale of the bonds, when bonds mature, timing of project needs and changes in assessed valuations in the District.  As such, while such estimates and approximations have been provided based on information currently available to the District and its current expectations, such estimates and approximations are not limitations and are not binding upon the District.

BOND PROJECT LIST

Scope of Projects.  Bond proceeds will be expended on the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities of the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, including furnishing and equipping, and the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries or other school operating expenses, in compliance with California Constitution Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3).  This measure authorizes bond projects to be undertaken at all current and future District sites.

School Facility Project List.  The items presented on the following list provide the types of projects authorized to be financed with voter-approved bond proceeds.  Specific examples included on this list are not intended to limit the types of projects described on this list and authorized by this measure.  The types of projects authorized are:

• Repair or replace roofs
• Construct Science/Engineering and Career Education facilities
• Make energy-efficiency improvements to reduce utility costs, including installing solar panels
• Replace inadequate wiring and electrical systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes, increase capacity, and relieve currently overloaded electrical systems.
• Make health and safety improvements, such as replacing aging building materials, including removal of hazardous materials identified either prior to or during construction including asbestos, and seismic reinforcements
• Make improvements to school safety and security, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, school communication systems, security cameras, surveillance systems, lighting and fencing
• Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems
• Repair or replace outdated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems or install HVAC units at sites that currently do not have them
• Improve student access to computers and modern technology, including providing all necessary infrastructure, hardware, software, computers, devices and other modern instructional equipment
• Modernize/renovate outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities to meet 21^st century educational standards, including providing updated furnishings and other equipment to facilitate a modern learning environment
• Upgrade/improve P.E. fields, playgrounds, play structures and similar facilities for school and community use
• Upgrade, expand, construct, repair and/or equip school facilities, including library/media centers, labs, multipurpose rooms, and other school facilities.
• Renovate, repair, expand and/or upgrade the interior and/or exterior of existing outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities
• Modernize outdated classroom interiors including, but not limited to, new paint, carpet/vinyl, white marker boards, tackable surface and increased secure storage capacity for instructional materials and equipment
• Complete Federal and State-mandated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety upgrades, including playground equipment replacement
• Ensure and upgrade handicapped accessibility to District facilities, including to meet all federal and state-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility to schools, and as mandated by the Division of the State Architect (DSA), including upgrades to site access, parking, staff and student restrooms, relocation of certain existing electrical devices, drinking fountains, playground equipment, and other necessary improvements.
• Upgrade, repair and/or expand school site parking, roadways, grounds and other infrastructure such as utility systems, including installing exterior lighting, repairing pathways, walkways, ADA access ramps and related landscaping

Each of the bond projects described in this Bond Project List include the costs of furnishing and equipping such facilities, and all costs which are incidental but directly related to the types of projects described above.  Examples of incidental costs include, but are not limited to: costs of design, engineering, architect and other professional services, facilities assessments, inspections, site preparation, utilities, landscaping, construction management and other planning and permitting, legal, accounting and similar costs; independent annual financial and performance audits; a customary construction contingency; demolition and disposal of existing structures; the costs of interim housing and storage during construction including relocation and construction costs incurred relating to interim facilities; rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis for materials and other equipment and furnishings displaced during construction; costs of relocating facilities and equipment as needed in connection with the projects; interim classrooms and facilities for students, administrators, and school functions, including modular facilities; federal and state-mandated safety upgrades; 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, as permitted by law.

The scope and nature of any of the specific projects described above may be altered by the District as required by unforeseen conditions that may arise during the course of design and construction.  In the event that a modernization or renovation project is more economical for the District to be undertaken as new construction, this bond measure authorizes land acquisition, relocation and construction and/or reconstruction, and all costs relating thereto, for said reason or, alternatively, based on other considerations deemed in the best interest of the District by the Governing Board.  In addition, this measure authorizes the acquisition of real property, including necessary rights of ways or other real property interests, required to expand District facilities, or to provide access to school or other District facilities.  In addition, authorized projects include reimbursements for paid project costs and paying and/or prepaying interim or previously obtained financing for the types of projects included on the project list, such as bond anticipation notes, and including payment and prepayment of lease payments relating to projects and/or equipment previously financed, such as certificates of participation.

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 plans to pursue funds from the State of California, if available, to complete certain of the identified facilities projects.  

The order in which school facilities projects are listed in the foregoing Bond Project List 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.