Fail: 2405 / 53.34% Yes votes ...... 2104 / 46.66% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

This measure would authorize the Mother Lode Union Elementary School District ("District") to issue general obligation bonds, in an amount not to exceed $11,400,000.

Funds received from the sale of the bonds would be used to improve safety conditions, repair and upgrade all neighborhood schools, make health and safety improvements to student drop-off areas, expand parking areas, improve fields, eliminate asbestos, upgrade heating and cooling systems, and computer, electrical, and communication systems construct, acquire, repair, furnish and equip classrooms, sites and facilities. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds can be used only for the purposes set forth in the ballot measure and not for any other purpose, including teachers' and administrators' salaries or any other school operating expenses.

The Board of the District ("Board") will cause independent performance and financial audits to be performed to ensure that funds received from the sale of the bonds are expended as specified by the Measure. The Board will cause the appointment of a Citizens' Oversight Committee no later than 60 days after the Board enters the election results in its minutes.

The tax levy authorized to secure the bonds shall not exceed the Proposition 39 limit per $100,000 of taxable property in the District. The bonds would be issued for a term not to exceed twenty-five (25) years in the case of bonds issued under the authority of the Education Code, and forty (40) years in the case of the bonds issued under the authority of the Government Code. The bonds would be issued at an interest rate that does not exceed the legal maximum rate. A tax rate statement is included within this Ballot Pamphlet.

A "YES" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of up to $11,400,000 of general obligation bonds to be repaid through a property tax based upon the assessed value of taxable property within the Mother Lode Elementary School District.

A "NO" vote is a vote not to authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds.

This measure passes if at least 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

Louis B. Green
County Counsel

A YES vote on Measure A will:

1.Improve traffic flow patterns at all schools

2.Repair playing fields (including drainage) at Herbert Green and Indian Creek

3.Replace the cafeteria roof at Herbert Green Middle School

4.Repair sidewalks and walkways to provide handicapped accessibility at Herbert Green and Charles Brown schools

5.Improve drainage between classroom buildings at Herbert Green

6.Replace soffits at Charles Brown

7.Construct a foyer to Herbert Green gym

8.Expand office space at Herbert Green and Charles Brown

All Measure A funds will be used for specific local school projects. There are taxpayer safeguards. An independent oversight committee is required and will oversee all projects. Not one penny of the funds will be used for administrator or teacher salaries.

The cost to the average home owner is approximately $1.10 per week. The school district does not have any outstanding debt. There are no other sources of funds to meet these needs.

For over 50 years, the District has served the communities of Placerville, Diamond Springs, El Dorado and surrounding areas. Significant facility upgrades are necessary if our schools are to continue to serve the community and meet the educational needs of students today.

Our elementary students deserve safe functional schools that provide an environment to learn.

Quality educational facilities protect and enhance our property values, and support our students. Good schools make great communities.

Please join us in voting YES on Measure A.

Mary Ellen Ware, Member Community Service Organization
Mike Lamoureaux, Owner, Service Electric
Linda Clemenger, Parent/Florist
Mary Meader, Owner, Placerville News Co.
James Christian, Retired Fire Chief

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)

Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be paid through property taxation:

1.The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the 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 3.0 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2006-07.

2.The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the 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 3.0 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation) for fiscal year 2009-10.

3.The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue, and an estimate of the years in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement is again 3.0 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $30.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation), which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain outstanding.

Attention to all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual timing of bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District, the state of the bond market, and other factors. The actual interest rates on any bonds sold will depend upon market conditions and other factors at the time of sale. The actual assessed valuations in future years will depend upon the value of property within the District as determined in the assessment and equalization process. Therefore, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as stated above.

Shanda G. Hahn
Superintendent
Mother Lode Union Elementary School District

School Repair Measure. "To improve safety conditions, repair and upgrade all neighborhood schools, shall the Mother Lode Union Elementary School District make health and safety improvements to student drop-off areas, expand parking areas, improve fields, eliminate asbestos, upgrade heating and cooling systems, and computer, electrical, and communication systems construct, acquire, repair, furnish and equip classrooms, sites and facilities by issuing $11,400,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, with guaranteed annual independent financial audits, citizen oversight, and no money for administrators' salaries?"

The Board of Trustees of the Mother Lode Union Elementary School District has prioritized key health and safety needs so that the most critical needs at each school within the District are addressed. The projects were identified with the input of teachers, school site staff, community members and local business leaders. The Board has evaluated the safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing the scope of school facility projects to be funded as outlined in the District's Master Facility Plan, presented to the Board of Trustees on February 8, 2006, on file in the Superintendent's Office, and as shall be amended from time to time, including the following projects:

PROJECTS

The Board has decided that the following projects at Mother Lode Union Elementary School are their highest priorities:

1. Indian Creek School: To reduce severe student safety problems, expand and reconfigure existing parking and student drop-off areas, extend existing roadways to enhance traffic flow around the school and upgrade playing fields, install irrigation systems and fill-in dangerous holes and uneven surfaces. To accommodate improved traffic flow and emergency access routes, relocate existing modular building.

2. Charles Brown School: To reduce severe student safety problems, reconfigure existing parking and student drop-off areas, realign existing roadways for safer traffic flow, increase parking capacity, add outdoor safety lighting. Add access ramps to provide accessibility for handicapped persons, as required by law. Remove dangerous asbestos and replace with appropriate materials. Develop recently acquired property for playing fields, and infrastructure for future facility construction. Expand and remodel undersized school office to accommodate school nurses, counselors and others, including relocation of main electrical service equipment. To satisfy ADA requirements and improve student safety conditions, replace existing buckled paving and seating in front of each classroom building, install a suitable drainage system. Install shade structure adjacent to hand courts.

3. Herbert Green Middle School. To reduce severe student safety problems, expand and reconfigure existing parking and student drop-off areas, including grading, relocation of utility lines and remove hazardous trees, and add safety lighting. Replace damaged, buckled and unsafe sidewalks, add access ramp to school office for handicapped access. Correct severe campus drainage problem and add trench and storm drains. Regrade fields, add storm drains to make field safe for use. Expand and remodel school office and construct foyer to gym. Replace heating, cooling and ventilation system with a new energy efficient cooling system.

4.District-wide: Upgrade technology systems, wiring, computer infrastructure and software.

Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of equipment, furniture, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The allocation of bond proceeds will 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.

Fiscal Accountability: The expenditure of bond money on these projects are subject to stringent financial accountability requirements. 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.

No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the 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 administrator salaries and other operating expenses. By law, all funds can only be spent on repair, construction, and improvement and equipping projects.