League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Bernardino, Riverside County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure O School Improvement Funding Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District School Bonds - 55% Approval Required Fail: 10,828 / 51.0% Yes votes ...... 10,395 / 49.0% No votes    9,691 (51.15%) Yes / 9,256 (48.85%) No in San Bernardino County    1,137 (49.96%) Yes / 1,139 (50.04%) No in Riverside County See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure O

Arguments Against Measure O

Vote YES on "O" to provide locally controlled funding to repair and upgrade our neighborhood schools in Yucaipa and Calimesa. With strong academic programs, emphasizing math, science, reading and writing and highly-qualified teachers, student test scores have steadily risen over the last 4 years. In order to continue academic improvement, classroom repairs and technology upgrades are needed. Many schools in the District are over 40 years old and in critical need of repairs and upgrades to provide modern classrooms, science labs, and technology to meet current safety and educational standards. For students who do not plan on attending college, modern career training facilities are needed to help build strong career skills that will better prepare them for the competitive job market. Voting Yes on Measure "O" will accomplish: Improve the quality of academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading and writing Add vocational training labs and technology to support college and career readiness Repair leaky roofs and deteriorating classrooms, labs and restrooms Provide 21st century science and computer labs Modernize and upgrade instructional technology Ensure all schools are handicapped accessible Measure "O" allows our schools to be eligible for state matching funds that would otherwise go to other communities. Every dollar from Measure "O" will be used only in Yucaipa and Calimesa schools to support student achievement; strict fiscal accountability is required: Citizens' oversight and independent audit reports to the community will ensure funds are only spent on voter-approved projects Every penny stays in our community and cannot be taken by the State. Our schools are part of our community. They help keep our neighborhoods strong and protect property values. Measure "O" would create jobs for local residents and help get our local economy back on track. Please join us and vote Yes on Measure "O". By: Kara Decker, PTA Council President Dan Crain, Retired Yucaipa Mayor Frances Joyce Serianni, VP of Smiles for Seniors Foundation, Mobile Home Owner Dr. Steve Miller, Business Owner Carl Arend, Long Time Resident, Community Volunteer Rebuttal to Arguments For Arguing No on Measure "O" does not mean arguing against students. In fact the opposite is true. We support funding for academic achievement, but that doesn't happen with Measure "O". BALLOT MEASURE STATEMENT + To repair and upgrade local schools....... by issuing $98,000,000 in bonds". These school board incumbents, three up for election this year, have cut: the school year, new textbooks, bussing, library, counseling, safety officer, increased class sizes and closed a school. But this bond sale is for school facilities only! Here is the law: "Authorizes bonds for repair, construction, or replacement of school facilities, classrooms, if approved by 55% of local vote.... prohibits use of bond proceeds for salaries or operating expenses". It makes no sense to burden local property taxpayers with $98 Million of debt when proceeds cannot be used to reinstate academic programs. Here is the reset of the story: Reinstating cuts they made with a property tax hike, requires a 66 2/3% yes vote. This can't be done with a facilities (Proposition 39) + 55% yes vote. School districts have matching grants for big ticket items like roofing and flooring through "Deferred Maintenance", when the state funds them. School Boards should prioritize spending for students then if higher taxes are justified, have a 2/3 election. Measure "O", a back door way to more tax money by implying great academic advantages when in reality "O" is for buildings not kids. Vote No on "O". By: Jason Jimenez Eli Gillespie Isaac Perez

Vote NO on "O". We oppose this bond sale/tax increase measure because it makes no sense. Selling $98 Million of school bonds adds hundreds of dollars to our property tax bills for buildings, not for students. This election is for school facilities and facilities only! Here is the law: "Authorizes bonds for repair, construction, or replacement of school facilities, classrooms, if approved by 55% of local vote for projects evaluated by schools, community college districts, county education offices for safety, class size, and information technology needs... Prohibits used of bond proceeds for salaries or operating expenses" This District has closed a school and converted another to International Baccalaureate, while eliminating: Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), bussing, crossing guards and raised class sizes. The instructional year, summer school, counseling, and adult school have all been shrunk. Yet passing Measure "O" cannot reinstate the important and valuable instructional programs that this very same Board cut in the first place. What sense does it make to increase the property tax burden on homeowners with little if any direct benefit to students? These incumbent board members (three are up for election) support Jerry Brown's ballot measure of sales and income tax increases (two more tax increases are on the ballot as well). But that's not enough new taxes for them. They now want to raise our property taxes but leave the cuts to students they made in place. Measure "O" makes no sense, Vote No on "O". By: Dr. Jay Jimenez Eli Gillespie Isaac Perez Rebuttal to Arguments Against Measure "O" makes perfect sense. It's the only source of funding that will directly benefit local students + and can't be raided by State government. Ongoing, State-imposed budget cuts certainly have created challenges for our schools. State government has cut $21 million (almost 22%) from local schools' budget since 2008-09. Despite this, our schools have done a terrific job protecting vital programs and providing quality education to local students. And it's simply false to claim that YCJUSD Board members support statewide tax increases. Local schools and classrooms need essential repairs and upgrades today + and the State won't pay for them. Measure "O" is the solution. Every penny stays in Yucaipa and Calimesa. Currently, many local schools are at least 40 years old: leaky roofs, outdated plumbing and electrical systems, and deteriorated, inadequate classrooms and restrooms are a reality. Job training classrooms and labs must be improved. Yucaipa and Calimesa schools lack instructional and vocational technology needed to prepare local students to compete in the 21 st century economy + whether or not students plan to attend four-year college. Measure "O" directly benefits Yucaipa and Calimesa students by improving the classrooms, school facilities and instructional technology. You can read the specific project list here: http://www.improveyucaipacalimesaschools.org. Measure "O" projects will also create local jobs. Measure "O" funds can't be used for employee salaries, benefits or pensions: only for specific classroom, school and technology improvements. Independent citizen oversight and annual audits will ensure funds are used properly. Vote YES on Measure "O". By: Ella A. Zanowic, Mayor of City of Calimesa Gloria Macias Harrison, Retired, Crafton Hills College President Brian J. Bearie, MD, FACEP Emergency Department Medical Director, St. Bernardine Hospital & Community Hospital of San Bernardino Debbie Miller, PTSA President - Mesa View Middle School Sue Gray, Business Owner - Kopper Kettle Kafe

Tax Rate Statement from George Velarde, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services - Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District

As shown on the enclosed official ballot, an election is being held in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District ("District") on November 6, 2012, for the purpose of submitting to the registered voters within the District the question of whether the District shall issue and sell bonds in an amount not to exceed $98,000,000 for the purpose of providing funds for the specified school facilities and school projects as set forth in the resolution of the District calling such bond election. This measure will authorize a tax sufficient for interest on, and redemption of, the bonds. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate, or rates to be established at such time as the bonds are sold, in one or more series, at fixed or variable interest rates not to exceed the maximum applicable statutory rate for such bonds. If such bonds are authorized and sold, the principal thereof and the interest thereon are a general obligation of the District, payable from the proceeds of ad valorem taxes on taxable real property located within the District. The following information is submitted in compliance with California Elections Code Sections 9401 through 9404 based on estimates of assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement: (a) 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 first sale of the bonds based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors is $0.04425 per $100 ($44.25 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. (b) It is anticipated that the bonds will be sold in more than one series. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund such bond issues during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors is $0.04425 per $100 ($44.25 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. It is estimated that this tax rate would apply in the 2023-2024 tax year. (c) The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issues during the term of the bond issues, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors, is $0.04425 per $100 ($44.25 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. It is estimated that the highest tax rate would apply in the 2043-2044 tax year based on assessed valuations available at the time of this filing or a projection based on experience within the same jurisdiction or other demonstrable factors. Voters should note that these estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property within the District as shown on the official rolls of Riverside and San Bernardino County, as applicable, not on the property's market value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective rate than described above. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the Riverside and San Bernardino County Assessor, as applicable, in the annual assessment and the equalization process. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and/or the applicable county assessor and/or tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions. Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that these estimates are based on assumptions and 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 any bond sales, the amount of bonds sold, market interest rates at the time of each sale of bonds and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The timing of the bond sales and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be governed by the needs of the District, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each such sale. Dated: July 24, 2012