League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure E Bonds Petaluma City School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 4,652 / 68.3% Yes votes ...... 2,161 / 31.7% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure E

Everyone knows the importance and value of having quality schools. From higher achieving students, to greater neighborhood safety and improved property values, quality schools make a difference. While our teachers and staff do a great job in educating our children, many classrooms and school facilities at the Petaluma City Elementary School District are outdated and inadequate to provide students with the facilities they need to succeed. This is why our children need your Yes vote on Measure E! It's been over 20 years since our district has passed a bond. While schools have been well maintained, aging classrooms must again be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century education and technology standards. A local school improvement measure would allow the District to improve the quality of education provided to local children. Therefore, we must invest in our schools so they meet today's safety, technological, and educational standards. If passed, Measure E will provide funding to make facility improvements at the local Petaluma schools, including: repairing/replacing leaky roofs; repairing deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems; upgrading inadequate electrical systems; improving student access to computers and modern technology; and modernizing/renovating classrooms, restrooms and school facilities. Measure E makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. All funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State. By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee. Funds can only be spent to improve our local elementary schools, not for teacher or administrator salaries. Measure E upgrades and renovates old and inadequate school facilities, improves the education of local children, and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and Vote Yes On Measure E! BOARD OF EDUCATION s/ Troy Sanderson, President s/ Mary Beth Benedetti Parent s/ Scott Prichard Business Owner s/ Clark P. Rosen Real Estate Broker s/ Janet Ramatici Former E.D., Petaluma Education Foundation (No arguments against Measure E were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Petaluma City (Elementary) School District (the "District") on June 3, 2014 to authorize the sale of $21,000,000 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 $.0200 per $100 ($20.00 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 $.0200 per $100 ($20.00 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 $.0200 per $100 ($20.00 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/ Steve Bolman Superintendent Petaluma City Elementary School District REQUIRED STATEMENT REGARDING STATE MATCHING FUNDS MEASURE E Approval of Measure E does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Petaluma City (Elementary) School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure E will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure E. 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 E

APPENDIX A INTRODUCTION "To improve the quality of education with funding that cannot be taken by the State; repair or replace leaky roofs; upgrade inadequate electrical systems; improve student access to computers and modern technology; and modernize or renovate classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; shall the Petaluma City (Elementary) School District issue $21,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, have an independent citizens' oversight committee and have no money used for administrative or teacher salaries with all funds being spent locally?" BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $21.0 million in aggregated principal at interest rates not to exceed the legal limit and to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List described below, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below. ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this measure in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely. Expenditures to address specific facilities' needs of the District will be in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, 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 School Board has identified detailed facilities' needs of the District and has determined which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The School Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List shown below. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The School Board shall establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, under Education Code Sections 15278 and following, to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. The committee will be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the School Board. Performance Audits. The School Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed below. Financial Audits. The School Board shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed below. Government Code Accountability Requirements. As required by Section 53410 of the Government Code, (1) the specific purpose of the bonds is set forth in this Full Text of the Measure, (2) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in this Measure, and not for any other purpose, (3) the proceeds of the bonds, when and if issued, will be deposited into a building fund to be held by the Sonoma County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code, and (4) the Superintendent of the District shall cause an annual report to be filed with the Board of Education of the District not later than January 1 of each year, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in this Measure, as required by Sections 53410 and 53411 of the Government Code. NO TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities and/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. STATE MATCHING FUNDS The following statement is included in this measure pursuant to Education Code Section 15122.5: Approval of this measure does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects that are the subject of bonds under this measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this measure. The School District's proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List shown below is a part of the ballot measure and must be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond measure. Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended on the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or replacement of school facilities of the Petaluma City Elementary School District, including the furnishing and equipping of such school facilities and/or the acquisition or lease of real property by the Petaluma City Elementary School District to be used for school facilities. Whenever specific items are included in the following list, they are presented to provide an example and are not intended to limit the generality of the broader description of the types of authorized projects. School Facility Projects. The specific school facilities projects to be funded include the following: Repair/replace leaky or outdated roofs Repair/replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems Upgrade/replace inadequate electrical systems, including installation of solar panels for increased energy efficiency Modernize and renovate outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities, including replacing deteriorating floors, ceilings, walls, lighting, wiring and plumbing, and furnishing and equipping classrooms and related facilities to provide a modern learning environment Improve technology infrastructure and provide for student access to computers and modern technology, including modernizing and constructing science labs and acquiring related equipment Provide ongoing 21st century technology needs, including the acquisition of one to one devices and other digital tools to provide a modern educational experience Renovate, repair, expand and/or upgrade the interior and/or exterior of existing classrooms and school facilities, including infrastructure improvements, new paint, doors, hardware, cabinetry, carpet/tile, curtains/blinds, partitions and exhaust fans, cafeteria and kitchen facilities and equipment and improvements to landscaping, outdoor learning environments and parking Improve student safety, including upgrading fire alarm and security systems, communication systems upgrades, installing fencing and lighting, and making seismic improvements to ensure structural safety Improve parking/student drop-off and pick-up areas, including paving, curbside improvements, signage, lighting, fencing and other safety improvements Improve, rehabilitate and/or construct P.E. fields and facilities for school and community use, including, but not limited to, outdoor fields, outdoor equipment and play structures and resurfacing outdoor areas Replace deteriorating temporary portables with other classroom facilities Make facility improvements to increase the District's energy efficiency, including but not limited to upgrading HVAC systems, installing insulation, and replacing outdated doors, windows and lighting Make Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades including site access, parking and access to playfields and playgrounds Abate and remove hazardous materials identified prior to or during construction Acquire/purchase land for potential future school and support sites, including the construction and equipping of facilities at such sites 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, 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, and are authorized to include land and facilities to be made available to charter schools operating in the District pursuant to the District's obligations under Proposition 39 approved by California voters in November 2000. The order in which school facilities projects are listed above does not suggest an order of priority. Project priorities will be determined by the District Board. The District is unable to anticipate all unforeseen circumstances, which may prevent some of the projects listed above from being undertaken or completed.