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El Dorado County, CA November 3, 2015 Election
Measure B
To sell bonds of up to $3.2 million for specific school projects
Placerville Union School District

School Bond - 55% Approval Required

Pass: 1414 / 55.78% Yes votes ...... 1121 / 44.22% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To keep classroom computers, technology and software up-todate, strengthen the computer network connecting classrooms to each other and the Internet, and provide instructional technology to all Placerville elementary and middle school students that will benefit them in high school and beyond, shall the Placerville Union School District issue $3,200,000 in bonds at interest rates within legal limits with all funds audited annually, monitored by an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, and no funds used for administrator salaries?

Impartial Analysis from El Dorado County Counsel
Upon approval of 55 % of the votes cast by voters on this measure, California law permits school districts to issue the sale of general obligation bonds to be paid by ad valorem taxes placed on property within the district, for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement of school facilities, equipping of school facilities etc. The Board of Trustees of the Placerville Union School District ("PUSD") proposes issuing bonds in the amount up to $3.2 Million Dollars ($3,200,000.00). The bonds interest rate and maturity date will not exceed the legal maximums. If the measure is approved, PUSD will be authorized to increase the ad valorem taxes on property located within their boundaries to pay the bond principal, interest and associated costs to:

  • Keep classroom computers, technology and software up-to-date at all PUSD schools
  • Increase opportunities students have to use classroom computers and technology
  • Provide instructional technology to all elementary and middle school students that will benefit them in high school and beyond
  • Strengthen and upgrade the computer system at all schools, including wireless networks, classroom wiring, servers, data centers, security systems, and other necessary components
  • Address unforeseen conditions related to technology infrastructure upgrades (e.g. dry rot, structural, etc.)
  • Perform site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling

Proceeds may only be used for the stated purposes and not for other purposes, including teacher or administrator salaries, or school operating expenses.

PUSD's best estimate of the tax rate to be levied to fund the bond issue is $13.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds (2016-17) and $13.50 per $100,000 during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds (2029-30). PUSD's best estimate of the highest tax rate required to be levied $13.50 per $100,000 per fiscal year of assessed valuation and the amount of tax levied may be higher than the estimate if funds due for payment of interest and principal on the bonds exceeds the best estimate of the tax rate.

This measure requires PUSD to take steps to account for the use of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds as required by California Constitution Article XIIIA section 1 (b) (3) and Education Code section 15264 et.seq. Expenditure of bond revenues will be actively reviewed by an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee and an annual independent audit will be conducted to assure that funds are spent only for purposes included in this measure. A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds in the amount not to exceed $3.2 million to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within PUSD.

A "no" vote is a vote not to authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds in the amount not to exceed $3.2 million to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within PUSD.

Robyn Truitt Drivon - El Dorado County Counsel

 
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Arguments For Measure B Arguments Against Measure B
As long time residents of Placerville, we are proud of our schools. We take great pride in the education provided at the Placerville Union School District and are involved in many activities at the District's schools. We support the students, teachers, principals and staff as they meet new challenges in the classroom every day.

But we also understand that schools and employers are now demanding greater proficiency with digital devices + so we need to increase the opportunities local students have to use classroom computers and technology to better prepare them for high school, college and a job.

A Yes vote on Measure B will provide our students with the technology they need and deserve for their future. Measure B will:

  • Keep classroom computers, technology and software up-to-date and strengthen the computer network that connects classrooms to each other and the internet.
  • Increase the opportunities local students have to use classroom computers and technology.
  • Provide instructional technology to all Placerville elementary and middle school students that will benefit them in high school and beyond.

None of the funds from Measure B can be used for administrator or teacher salaries.

Measure B also requires strict accountability. The School Board adopted a very specific project list when calling this election, and an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee will monitor and review all bond expenditures. This committee of local residents will make sure that all bond funds are spent as planned for the benefit of local students.

Passage of Measure B will allow the Placerville Union School District to improve education for all elementary and middle school students.

Quality schools protect and enhance everyone's property values. Good schools make great communities.

Please join us in supporting our local students. Vote Yes on Measure B

Maggie Bush, Parent and Business Owner, Madrona Vineyards Sean McCartney, Parent Jim Coate, Retired teacher Patricia H. Borelli, Mayor, City of Placerville Kevin Brown, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce

(No arguments against were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from PUSD Superintendent
An election will be held in the Placerville Union School District (the "District") on November 3, 2015 to authorize the sale of $3,200,000 in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code.

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 $.0135 per $100 ($13.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17.

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 $.0135 per $100 ($13.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2029-30.

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 of this statement, is $.0135 per $100 ($13.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

The best estimate of the total debt service, including the principal and interest, that would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold is $4,300,000.

These estimates are based on projections derived from information obtained from official sources. The actual tax rates, the years in which they will apply and the total debt service may vary depending on the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale, actual increases in assessed valuations and actual interest rates at the time of each bond sale. 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. Actual interest rates will depend upon market conditions at the time of the sale.

Dated: 06/30/15 Eric Bonniksen Superintendent - Placerville Union School District

Full Text of Measure B
This proposition may be known and referred to as the Placerville Union School District General Obligation Bond of 2015, or Measure B.

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Placerville Union School District (the "District") shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $3.2 million in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school projects listed in the Bond Project List below, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the District's voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely 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 Education Code Sections 15264 and following).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List.

Limitation on Use of Bond Proceeds. The State of California does not have the power to take locally approved school district bond funds for any State purposes. The Constitution allows proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition to be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities listed in this proposition, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff only when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projects.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure bond proceeds are spent only for the school projects listed in the Bond Project List. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date on which the Board of Trustees enters the election results on its minutes.

Annual Performance Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school projects listed in the Bond Project List.

Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds (which shall be separate from the District's regular annual financial audit) until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school projects listed in the Bond Project List.

Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Trustees shall take actions necessary pursuant to Government Code Section 53410 and following 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 or the Chief Business Official of the District (or such other employee as may perform substantially similar duties) shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31 of the year in which bonds are first issued, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as such officer shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

Useful Life Matched to Bond Term: Measure "B" will match the bond term to the reasonable useful life of the improvements and equipment purchased, minimizing interest expense and entirely avoiding more expensive deferred interest bonds like CABs. Additionally the number of years the whole or any part of the bonds are to run shall not exceed the legal limit, though this shall not preclude bonds from being sold which mature prior to the legal limit.

No Capital Appreciation Bonds. The Bonds shall be issued only as current interest bonds and notes, and NOT as capital appreciation bonds.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS Specific Purposes. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100, and shall constitute the specific purposes of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purposes, pursuant to Government Code Section 53410.

Joint Use. The District may enter into agreements with the County of El Dorado or other public agencies or nonprofit organizations for joint use of school facilities financed with the proceeds of the bonds in accordance with Education Code Section 17077.42 (or any successor provision). The District may seek State grant funds for eligible joint-use projects as permitted by law, and this proposition hereby specifies and acknowledges that bond funds will or may be used to fund all or a portion of the local share for any eligible joint-use projects identified in the Bond Project List or as otherwise permitted by California State regulations, as the Board of Trustees shall determine.

Rate of Interest. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate per annum not exceeding the statutory maximum, payable at the time or times permitted by law

BOND PROJECT LIST The Placerville Union School District (PUSD) is comprised of three schools and the district office: Sierra School (K-5) with approximately 450 students, Louisiana Schnell School (K-5) with 390 students, and Edwin Markham Middle School (6-8) with 380 students, which recently received a California Gold Ribbon Award. PUSD is noted for its excellent schools, parent involvement and sound fiscal management.

PUSD is committed to the infusion of educational technology at all grade levels and across all appropriate subject areas throughout the district. Students and staff will have equitable access to a variety of technological tools to enhance educational experiences at school.

The District has developed a Technology Plan and its purpose is to recognize and build on the current foundation of technological development within PUSD. With the implementation of this plan, the teacher can take on the task of nurturing students who can think, plan, create, innovate, and solve the challenges that this new millennium presents. Our goal is to foster young people who know how to gather source information, learn from it, and create their own working knowledge base. The rapid pace of technology makes it imperative that we define and clarify purposes and standards in our district. With these in place, technology can facilitate access to all information. Additionally, as schools and employers demand greater proficiency with digital devices, increasing opportunities local students have to use classroom computers and technology will better prepare them for high school, college and a job.

Measure "B" will:

  • Keep classroom computers, technology and software up-to-date at all PUSD schools
  • Increase the opportunities PUSD students have to use classroom computers and technology
  • Provide instructional technology to all PUSD elementary and middle school students that will benefit them in high school and beyond
  • Strengthen and upgrade the computer network and infrastructure at all PUSD schools, including wireless networks, classroom wiring, servers, switches, data centers, additional batteries and electrical outlets, security systems, access points and other similar required components
  • Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization related to technology infrastructure upgrades (e.g. dry rot, structural, etc.)
  • Perform necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling for technology enhancements

For additional information, please see the Placerville Union School District Education Technology Plan, available online and at our District Office at Sierra Elementary School. All projects above are included in the Plan, and Measure "B" will allow us to implement it.

The Bond Project List above describes the specific projects the Placerville Union School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed projects will be completed as needed at a particular school site according to Board-established priorities, and the order in which such projects appear on the Bond Project List is not an indication of priority for funding or completion. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction or acquisition bids are awarded, and projects are completed. Certain funds expected from nonbond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Until all project costs and funding sources are known, the Board of Trustees cannot determine the amount of bond proceeds available to be spent on each project, nor guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. Completion of some projects may be subject to further government approvals or appropriation by State officials and boards, to local environmental review, and to input from the public. For these reasons, inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List is not a guarantee that the project will be funded or completed. Also unless otherwise noted, the projects in the Bond Project List are authorized to be completed at the District's sites, as shall be approved by the Board of Trustees.

Each project includes the expenses of furnishing and equipping, architectural, engineering, design and planning costs, program/project management expenses (including project management performed by District personnel) and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. In the event a project has been financed on an interim basis, including through the issuance of certificates of participation or other financing vehicle, the bond project includes the payment of such interim financing. Each bond project described above includes all work incidental to such projects, including but not limited to, demolition, rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis and interim classrooms for students and school functions or other storage for classroom materials displaced during construction, addressing unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization and other necessary improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, installation of irrigation and utility lines, governmental fees and permit costs, and all costs relating to the issuance of the bonds authorized hereunder and the costs of preparing the performance and financial audits required by this measure. Some projects may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies.


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Created: December 21, 2015 20:36 PST
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