League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure B Bonds Cotati/Rohnert Park Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 5,382 / 63.1% Yes votes ...... 3,150 / 36.9% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure B

Vote Yes on Measure B--repair and upgrade Cotati and Rohnert Park schools to prepare our local students for college and the competitive 21st-century job market. By law, all Measure B funds stay here and go directly to benefit Cotati and Rohnert Park students. Not one penny can be taken by the State or used for other purposes. Many of our schools and classrooms are over 50 years old and built for a different era of education. Measure B provides much needed repair projects at each of our schools to ensure safe and well-maintained classrooms for all students. Energy efficiency upgrades such as replacing aging, inefficient heating and ventilation systems will help save over $200,000 per year--funds that will be redirected to support core academic programs and classroom teaching. By updating electrical wiring and installing reliable high-speed wireless networks, Measure B improves classroom instructional technology that's essential to building a strong academic foundation. Our local schools continue to improve, which draws new families and students to our community. Measure B ensures all our students learn in updated classrooms and have the educational technology they need to succeed. Vote Yes on B to: improve classrooms and science labs to meet modern academic standards; complete repairs to provide safe, well-maintained classrooms; provide equipment for 21st-century career technical education programs; update electrical infrastructure to support classroom computers and instructional technology; remove lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials from schools where present; repair leaking roofs and windows; replace outdated and costly heating, ventilation, electrical and plumbing. To ensure mandatory fiscal accountability: all money from Measure B goes to our local schools; no funds can be taken by Sacramento; independent citizens' oversight and annual audits are required. Vote Yes on B to keep Cotati and Rohnert Park schools on a path to improvement. s/ Michael L Harrow CPA, 31yr Resident s/ Jeff Nicks Parent, Public Safety Officer s/ Sandra Hollingsworth Grandparent, 53yr Resident s/ Patricia Anderson Community Volunteer, 40yr Resident s/ Prudence K. Draper City Historian, 64yr Resident NO ARGUMENT WAS SUBMITTED AGAINST MEASURE B (No arguments against Measure B were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement from Deputy County Counsel

An election will be held in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District (the "District")on June 3, 2014 to authorize the sale of $80,000,000 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 $.0490 per $100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2014-15. 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 $.0490 per $100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2019-20. 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 this statement, is $.0490 per $100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. These estimates are based on 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 bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale and actual increases in assessed valuations. 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. s/ Robert Haley, Superintendent Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District REQUIRED STATEMENT REGARDING STATE MATCHING FUNDS MEASURE B Approval of Measure B does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure B will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure B. The District's proposal for the project or projects assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. California Education Code §15122.5

Full Text of Measure B

EXHIBIT A This proposition may be known and referred to as the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District General Obligation Bond of 2014, or Measure B. FINDINGS The Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District (the "District") provides top quality education for local students. The District remains focused on creating innovative programs for students, opening neighborhood schools, attracting students and preparing them for college and careers. As a result test scores have steadily improved over the last few years. As we look to the future and prepare our students for college and 21st-century careers, we are critically evaluating our facilities needs. Many of our classrooms are over 50 years old and struggle to support a modern education. Our science labs also need improvements to meet modern academic standards. In addition, our facilities have aging infrastructure, leaking roofs and windows, and outdated and inefficient heating, ventilation, electrical and plumbing systems. Some facilities have hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos that need to be removed. If approved, Measure B would fund facility upgrades, including: updating classroom computers and technology, providing facilities and equipment for career and technical education, modernizing science labs, upgrading campus security (lighting fencing, smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and other security systems),removing remaining hazardous materials (like lead and asbestos) from schools, improving access to all school facilities for students with disabilities, increasing school energy efficiency and reducing utility bills and lowering the cost of repairing aging facilities to free up funds for classroom instruction. Measure B requires strict taxpayer protections to ensure funds are spent appropriately. All funds must stay here in the District and none of the funds can be taken away by the State. An independent citizens' oversight committee will ensure the funds are spent as promised and annual audits are mandatory. Measure B was developed following input from parents, teachers, school facility experts, school funding experts, local business leaders, local civic leaders and other members of the community. BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District (the "District") shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $80,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List below, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, 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 and has prepared an updated facilities master plan which is incorporated hereby into 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 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 facilities 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 facilities 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 facilities 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. 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 Sonoma 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. Term of Bonds. 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. BOND PROJECT LIST The Board in Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District evaluated the urgent and critical facilities needs at all schools, including safety issues, enrollment trends,and computer and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District worked with teachers, staff and members of the community to conduct a facilities evaluation and develop a Facilities Master Plan. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive to address. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Trustees determines that: (i) all bond money must stay exclusively in our local community, under local control and cannot be taken away by the State; and (ii) in repairing aging schools, priority must be given to the basics, such as fixing leaky roofs, bathrooms, plumbing, HVAC, and sewer lines; and (iii) priority should also be given to school and student safety by removing hazardous materials from old school structures and improving earthquake and fire safety; and (iv) schools must be clean and well-maintained learning environments; and (v) schools must have the classrooms which accommodate a growing student enrollment with upgraded, up-to-date science labs and classroom technology to allow our students to excel in the 21st century economy; and (vi) the District must establish an independent citizens' oversight committee and require annual independent audits to make sure all money is spent as authorized; and (vii) bond proceeds shall be used to improve all schools within the District; and (viii) approval of this bond measure does not guarantee that the proposed projects will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the measure. The District's capital needs exceed the amount of bonds the voters are being asked to authorize. The District will seek funds from other sources to advance the project list as far as possible. If matching funds from the State or any other source become available, they will be used for and applied to the Bond Project List. Basic School Repairs and Upgrades to Provide Safe, Well-Maintained Classrooms Goal and Benefits: To maintain high quality education at our neighborhood schools, schools will benefit from the renovation, repair and upgrade of aging classrooms and science labs, fixing leaking roofs and improving fire and earthquake safety systems, and up-to-date classroom technology, allowing all children to have the resources they need to continue to excel: Replace and repair leaking roofs Make schools safe by removing hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead paint Upgrade earthquake and safety equipment, including phone, fire alarm, and communication systems Renovate school restrooms Upgrade and perform essential safety repairs and improvements on classrooms, science laboratories, food services facilities, student services facilities and other school and athletics facilities Repair outdated electrical systems and wiring to improve efficiency and safety Repair, replace, or upgrade inefficient and aging heating, cooling and plumbing systems Upgrade, repair or replace playground equipment, asphalt and turf for student safety and improved access for people with disabilities Make safety improvements on and around school sites, including improved fencing, walkways and overhangs, better access for people with disabilities, and traffic circulation and parking improvements Replace drinking fountains, trash receptacles, enclosures and equipment Renovate, repair, paint and improve school campuses, shade structures and grounds Establish programs to support regular and long term upgrades and replacement of outdated facilities, equipment, and grounds and to support enrollment growth by creating additional classrooms and/or re-opening sites Instructional Technology Upgrades for Effective Student Learning Goal and Purpose: To upgrade classroom computers and computer technology to allow our teachers and students to use up-to-date teaching methods so that our students are prepared to excel in the 21st century economy: Acquire and upgrade technology infrastructure Provide and repair up-to-date technology, data and wireless communications equipment Add, update and expand telecommunications, internet and network connections Add, upgrade and replace computers, hardware and software systems Add, upgrade and replace classroom instructional equipment including furniture Add, upgrade and replace electrical systems to support improved technology Establish programs to support regular and long term upgrades to technology systems, hardware, software and equipment Build new science facilities Upgrade media and audio/visual equipment Student Health and Safety, Earthquake Safety and Energy Efficiency Projects Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe, clean, well-maintained and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values and reduce maintenance and operating costs, returning more money to the classroom, schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of health and safety projects, such as: Upgrade earthquake safety pursuant to requirements of State of California law and regulation Replace old and inefficient windows, lighting, irrigation, heating and ventilation systems which waste money, and use the savings to prevent cuts to teacher and instructional programs Upgrade fire alarm systems, improve fire safety equipment and fire exit doors to make students safer in the event of an emergency Upgrade schools to meet accessibility requirements for students, teachers and staff with disabilities Install energy efficient systems to save money and return the savings to the classroom Upgrade emergency communication systems to improve student safety Adding and Replacinq Classrooms to Enhance Student Achievement Goal and Purpose: To enhance educational programs and accommodate a growing student enrollment, schools would benefit from the expansion of additional and replacement of existing earthquake and accessibility code compliant facilities, such as: Add and replace permanent and relocatable classrooms, multi-purpose/ assembly rooms, modern performing arts classrooms, gymnasiums and educational support facilities Accessibility upgrades as mandated Additional electrical service capacity to improve computer technology and internet access Each project listed is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance and other construction-related costs, such as construction management, architectural, engineering, inspection and other planning costs, legal, accounting and similar fees, independent annual financial and performance audits, a customary construction contingency, and other costs incidental to and necessary for completion of the listed projects (whether work is performed by the District or by third parties), including: Remove, dispose of, and otherwise remediate hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, etc., where necessary Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (including plumbing or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic, structural, etc.) Site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, demolition of existing structures, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation and drainage, utility lines (such as gas lines, water lines, electrical lines, sewer lines, and communication lines), trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, traffic lights and mitigation, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property Rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis, as needed to accommodate construction materials, equipment, and personnel, and interim classrooms (including relocatables) for students and school functions or other storage for classroom materials displaced during construction Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, including payment or prepayment of lease payments for the Technology High School located at Sonoma State University, or execution of a purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities Furnishing and equipping of existing and newly constructed, modernized or rehabilitated classrooms and facilities on an ongoing basis, including to replace worn, broken, or out-of-date furniture and equipment for all classrooms athletic facilities and other facilities, as needed For any project involving renovation, modernization, remodeling or rehabilitation of a building or the major portion of a building, the District may proceed with new replacement construction instead (including any necessary demolition), if the Board of Trustees determines that replacement and new construction is more practical than rehabilitation and renovation, considering the building's age, condition, expected remaining life, comparative cost, and other relevant factors. The Bond Project List shall be considered a part of this ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.