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Smart Voter
Los Angeles County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Measure DD
School Improvement Bonds
Palmdale Elementary School District

School Bonds - 55% Approval Required

Pass: 22,328 / 74.03% Yes votes ...... 7,834 / 25.97% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 2 2:20pm, 100.00% of Precincts Reporting (57/57)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement |

To repair/improve aging schools, improve math/science instruction and protect education in Palmdale elementary and intermediate schools with local funding that cannot be taken by State government, shall Palmdale School District repair leaking roofs, rusting plumbing and aging restrooms; update science labs, computers and instructional technology; upgrade/repair/add classrooms to meet safety, health and academic standards; by issuing $220 million dollars in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizens' oversight, no money for administrators salaries?

Impartial Analysis from John F. Krattli, County Counsel
Approval of Measure DD would authorize the Board of Trustees ("Board") of the Palmdale School District ("District"), to issue general obligation bonds, in an amount not to exceed $220,000,000.

Funds received from the sale of the bonds shall be used only for the specific purposes set forth in the Measure, including planning, constructing, furnishing, and equipping up to two new schools; repairing and replacing roofs on classrooms; improving and renovating cafeterias and multi-purpose rooms; repairing and painting school building exteriors; repairing and replacing plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; providing and constructing xeriscaping and water efficiency systems; modernizing and upgrading energy management systems; updating computer technology, communications systems, and instruction technology; furnishing and replacing technological, electrical, and other learning devices; updating and furnishing fire alarm panels, safety and fire protection systems; updating communication systems, bells, clocks, and intercoms; installing security cameras, upgrading exterior electronic signage; repairing play fields and equipment; upgrading and constructing student support facilities, multipurpose rooms, and restrooms; constructing and replacing ramps and improving access for disabled persons. No funds may be used for teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

Independent performance and financial audits will be performed annually to ensure that bond proceeds have been expended only on the projects on the Bond Project Ust. The Board shall appoint an independent Citizens Oversight Committee in compliance with Education Code section 15278, 15280 and 15282.

The bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code shall have a maturity not exceeding twenty five (25) years, and the bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code shall have a maturity not exceeding forty (40) years. The best estimate of the highest tax rate required to fund the bonds, based on the assessed valuations available at the time of the election, is $30.00 per $100,000 of the taxable property within the District.

This Measure requires a fifty-five percent (55%) vote for passage.

 
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Arguments For Measure DD
Vote YES on DD to upgrade our Palmdale schools so students have a strong academic foundation that prepares them for high school, college and the competitive 21st century job market.

Every penny from Measure DD will stay right here in Palmdale to update our local schools. None of the funds can be taken away by the State.

Local students receive a quality education, and yet our schools need significant repairs. Several of our schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s and desperately need to be updated. Some of our schools have plumbing that is so old that orange water comes out of faucets, while roofs on 9 schools and 340 portable classrooms are more than 20 years old and leak.

Your YES vote is critical:

  • Repair leaky roofs
  • Provide up-to-date science and computer labs
  • Repair aging and deteriorating classrooms
  • Upgrade facilities to meet health and safety codes
  • Replace outdated heating and cooling systems to improve energy efficiency
  • Provide 21st century classroom technology and update technology over time
  • Provide modern fire-detection, alarms, emergency communication, and security systems

Strict accountability is required:
  • All funds will be controlled locally--Sacramento can't take away Measure DD funds
  • Measure DD cannot be used for salaries, pensions or benefits
    - Independent citizens' oversight will ensure funds are spent as promised

Repairing old buildings and cutting utility bills will save critical school funds every year that can go back into the classroom to support instruction and core academic programs.

Measure DD will create jobs for local residents and help get our local economy back on track. Good schools make our community more desirable and help to protect property values for all of us.

Join us--vote YES on DD to support our Palmdale students.

STEPHEN KNIGHT
State Assemblyman

JAMES C. LEDFORD, JR.
Mayor of Palmdale

STACY FOURNIER
South Antelope Valley Council PTA President

ROCIO GALAVIZ-MONTAGNER
President, A V Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

JEFF MCELFRESH
CEO, Palmdale Chamber of Commerce

(No arguments against Measure DD were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from ROGER D. GALLIZZI, Superintendent, Palmdale School District
To: The voters voting in the November 6, 2012 election on the question of the issuance of $220,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Palmdale School District.

You are hereby notified in accordance with Section 9401 of the Elections Code of the State of California of the following:

1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds (Fiscal Year 2013-2014), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is the following:

$.03000 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $30.00 per $100,000.

2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the last sale of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows:

$.03000 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $30.00 per $100,000.

First fiscal year after last sale of bonds: 2028-2029

3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments on the bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows:

$.03000 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $30.00 per $100,000.

Year of highest tax rate: Tax is projected to be the same every year.

The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only. The actual tax rates 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 date of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on its 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 sale. Actual future assessed valuations 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. Accordingly, the actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those presently estimated as above stated.

Submittal of the foregoing statement has been approved by the Palmdale School District.


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Created: December 17, 2012 13:44 PST
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