Measure O Question

Walnut Valley Local School Improvement Measure. To upgrade facilities to maintain excellent education/college readiness by providing facilities/technology for advanced math, science, engineering, upgrading outdated classrooms, science labs, libraries, computer systems, improving school safety/ security, and repairing, constructing/acquiring classrooms, facilities, equipment, shall Walnut Valley Unified School District issue $208 million in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrator salaries, and all funds used for neighborhood schools in/ aroundDiamond Bar and Walnut?

Bonds -- Yes Bonds -- No

Impartial Analysis for Measure O

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Argument in Favor of Measure O

Walnut Valley School District, with neighborhood schools in and around Diamond Bar and Walnut, is among the highest performing districts in the state and nation. Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting the quality of our great local schools and the value of our homes is a wise investment.

Measure O is necessary to ensure classrooms, science labs, math rooms, technology and other facilities continue to support outstanding student achievement. Measure O will not increase current tax rates.

Measure O ensures local students have access to the modern technology and skills training needed to compete for college and 21st century careers:

- Provides classrooms, facilities and technology needed for advanced courses in math, science, engineering and technology
- Repairs old schools, including wiring, plumbing, roofs, floors, air conditioning, heating, classroom lighting and other aging or deteriorating systems
- Ensures teachers are adequately trained in the use of modern instructional technologies
- Keeps computer systems, technology, science labs, school facilities, and classrooms up-to-date over time
- Provides classrooms and labs for career and technology education classes so students are prepared for college and well-paying jobs in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology and skilled trades
- Improves student safety including security lighting, emergency communications systems, fire alarms and sprinklers
- Retrofits older school buildings so they are earthquake safe

Local control ensures Measure O funds stay in our schools:

- No funds can be taken by the state or used for administrators' salaries or benefits
- A project list detailing exactly how the money will be used is required
- An independent Citizens Oversight Committee and annual public audits will ensure money is spent properly
- Measure O will not increase current tax rates

Vote Yes on O to improve our Walnut Valley Unified School District schools and prepare our students for college and 21st century careers -- without raising taxes!

Bob Pacheco
Mayor, City of Walnut

Nancy Lyons
Councilmember, City of Diamond Bar

Bob Sun
Independent Citizen Oversight Committee, Chair-Vice

Ray McMullen
Longtime resident (5 ) years and former WVUSD Educator

Lily Eibert
WVUSD Parent Coordinating Council, Vice President

Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure O

How can you tell when a politician is lying? "... WITHOUT RAISING TAXES!" Can't help themselves. Can you believe anything they say? It's not even their argument. Copied word-for-word from Board's talking points. Do you value plagiarism?

Imagine what schools will look like in 40 years. Will they look like they do today? Or will they be relics of the past meeting the same fate as Ozymandias?

A bond is a credit card with a huge limit. Do you put living expenses on your credit card and not pay it off every month? Of course not! You know that making the minimum payment means that you'll be paying dearly for that tank of gas you bought today and you'll still be paying it off years from now.

Technology is mentioned 8 times. Moore's law predicts that technological capability doubles every two years while price falls dramatically. The Apple II was introduced in 1977 (38 years ago) priced at $2,638. Do you still want to be paying for today's technology 40 years from now?

By the time you and your grandkids pay off this bond, physical facilities will likely be museum pieces. Education will come from the best teachers in the world wherever a child has a device to connect to the Internet. It's already happening.

What's stopping it from happening here? Old thinking from an entrenched bureaucracy.

If Board could be trusted, it wouldn't need an oversight committee. $400 million in NEW TAXES. Smart people vote NO.

John Iu-Chim Shum
M.D.

Long Su
Technical Architect

Nam Huynh
Director of Systems, Retired

Michael West
Walnut Homeowner

Argument Against Measure O

A. YEARS OF NEGLECT. CHECK!

B. NO ACCOUNTABILITY. CHECK!

C. SWITCHEROO. CHECK!

D. HUGE NEW TAXES. CHECK!

Got your attention?

A. Are you sending your children to deathtraps? Schools without "smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers?" Seriously! Read the measure.

In measure Board admits it's neglected regular maintenance for so long that it now claims crisis. You must save the children. It'll cost you nearly twice as much to pay it off.

The squeaky wheel theory predicts that those who speak loudest get what they want. Facilities can't speak. They get neglected. It's called kicking the can down the road. Today's squeaky wheels get what they want. The cycle repeats. You're stuck with the bill.

Example of Board's priorities: Collegewood School turned 50 last year. For its birthday, Board pulled out the landscaping, replacing it with prettier landscaping. What allegedly critical maintenance priorities could that money have paid for?

B. Oversight committee? It's a joke. No power. (Legislature made sure of that.) Appointed by Board. Pure propaganda.

C. Measure makes all maintenance off-budget. More of your regular taxes will go for salary and pensions.

Does Board lack money? Most recent financial report shows $76 million in investments. It transferred over $20 million from Special "Capital" Fund to pension, furlough, and professional development.

Board will likely spend every penny it takes from your regular taxes on things that don't directly benefit the children, like increased compensation, benefits, and pensions.

D. How much? Nobody knows. It's just an estimate.

Assessed value / 100,000 x $48.50 estimate x 40 years = tax. Do the math.

We're not against education. We're against misuse and waste of our taxes. Does past neglect require money? Probably. This much? No.

Smart voters vote NO.

http://aroundwalnut.blogspot.com/

Warren Ellis

Jean Jernigan
Home owner

C. M. Parks
Retired

Floyd Kimura
Retired

William Pao
Business Owner / Parent

Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure O

Measure O is about improving local schools to maintain award-winning education and continue preparing students for success in college and future careers. Even throughout a decade of state-imposed budget cuts, our local school district has done a terrific job of maintaining and improving local school facilities. Visit http://tinyurl.com/pwr7g7v to read annual reports from the Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee.

Measure O provides the classrooms, facilities and technology needed for advanced courses in science, technology, engineering and math. Citizens' oversight ensures Measure O supports students, not administrators.

Measure O includes a clear system of accountability. Independent citizens' oversight, annual audits, a project list detailing exactly how the money will be used and community reports are required. By law, no money can be spent on administrators' salaries, pensions or benefits.

Measure O does not increase current tax rates.

Measure O is carefully structured so that your local school tax bill will be no higher next year or in future years than it is right now. Thanks to prudent fiscal management, Walnut Valley Unified School District will completely pay off prior voter-approved school bonds in 2019, meaning that our community can make a meaningful, valuable investment to maintain our excellent local schools without increasing tax rates.

Protecting the quality of our schools, the quality of life in our communities and the value of our homes is a wise investment. We believe that maintaining high-quality education in our local schools is a top priority. Please join us and vote Yes on O.

http://www.OutstandingWVUSDSchools.org

JOE H. HAHN
48-Year Walnut Resident, Former Mayor/Council Member

ERIC CHING
City of Walnut Council Member

CHRISTINA KONDO
Collegewood Elementary School Parent Council Member and Former President

RACHEL CHANG
Diamond Bar, HS Parent Volunteer

INGRID JOHNSON
President, Council of African-American Parents (CAAP)

Full Text of Measure O

FULL TEXT BALLOT PROPOSITION
OF THE WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2015

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Walnut Valley Unified School District.

"Walnut Valley Local School Improvement Measure. To upgrade facilities to maintain excellent education/college readiness by providing facilities/technology for advanced math, science, engineering, upgrading outdated classrooms, science labs, libraries, computer systems, improving school safety/ security, and repairing, constructing/acquiring classrooms, facilities, equipment, shall Walnut Valley Unified School District issue $208 million in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrator salaries, and all funds used for neighborhood schools in/ around Diamond Bar and Walnut?"

PROJECT LIST

The Board of Trustees of the Walnut Valley Unified School District is committed to maintaining the quality of education in our local public schools. To do so, the Board is determined to provide classrooms and labs for career and technology education classes so students are prepared for college and good paying jobs in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology, and the skilled trades. To that end, the Board evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size, computer and information technology and prepared a [Facility Master Plan] which is incorporated herein in its entirety, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received extensive public input in developing this Project List through school site meetings, community presentations, opinion leader input, and interactive materials. Teachers, staff, students, community members and the Board have prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. 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 the District must, in a fiscally responsible manner:

1. (i) provide classrooms and labs needed for career and technology education classes so students are prepared for college and good paying jobs in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology and the skilled trades; and
2. (ii) improve student safety and school security systems, including security lighting, security cameras, emergency communication systems, smoke detectors, fire alarms and sprinklers; and
3. (iii) make funding available to protect the quality of instruction and advanced courses in math, science, engineering, technology and the arts; and
4. (iv) retrofit older buildings so they are earthquake safe; and
5. (v) adhere to specific FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as:
1. (a) All money raised must stay in the District and the State must be prohibited from taking any funds raised,
2. (b) All expenditures must be subject to annual independent financial audits, and
3. (c) An independent citizens' oversight committee must be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent only as authorized.

The Project List includes the following types of upgrades and improvements at theDistrict schools:

Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects

Goal and Purpose: Since providing classrooms and labs for career and technology education classes so students are prepared for college and good paying jobs in fields like health sciences, engineering, technology and the skilled trades is critical, local schools will benefit from projects including:

• o Repair or replace old, worn-out roofs, floors, plumbing, and electrical systems.
• o Upgrade aging heating, air conditioning and lighting systems.
• o Upgrade classrooms, science labs and libraries to keep pace with 21st Century instructional technology.
• o Repair and modernize old schools, outdated classrooms and school buildings.
• o Add electrical service capacity to relieve overloaded electrical systems so that it can handle modern instructional technology.
• o Provide improved, up-to-date technology infrastructure.
• o Add classrooms, labs, health science/ kinesiology buildings and school facilities.

Safety and Security Projects

Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools are a wise investment to (i) help protect and improve local property values, (ii) protect the quality of life in our community, (iii) maintain the quality of education, and (iv) provide advanced courses in core subjects like math, science, engineering and technology, schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of safety and security projects, such as:

Student Safety

• o Upgrade fire alarm systems to automatic systems, repair fire safety equipment, add sprinklers and fire safety doors to make students safe in the event of an emergency.
• o Upgrade and install new security systems, such as security lighting, fencing, smoke detectors, and fire alarms.
• o Replace aging, outdated portables with permanent classrooms that meet 21stcentury health, safety and academic standards.
• o Upgrade emergency communication systems to improve student safety.
• o Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint from older school sites.

Instructional Technology and Wiring Projects
Safety and Security Projects

Goal and Purpose: To ensure that all teachers are adequately trained in the use of modern instructional technologies by upgrading classroom technology to allow our students to be prepared for college or to compete in today's job market for good paying jobs with skills and a strong background in science, math, engineering and technology:

• o Upgrade instructional technology in the classroom for improved student learning.
• o Provide and maintain up-to-date technology, data and communication equipment.
• o Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, Internet and network connections, upgrade electrical wiring.
• o Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and infrastructure systems, classroom and library technology and teaching equipment to enhance instruction.

***

The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program/ construction management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency, and escalation for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List also includes payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, environmental studies, construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, servers, switches, routers, modules, smart boards, sound projection systems, wireless networks, portable interface devices, printers, upgrade voice-over-IP, phone systems, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment. The District may establish a classroom technology fund to keep our technology up-to-date and ensure local schools keep pace with advancing technology. The repair of school facilities includes the upgrading/replacing school site parking, campus accessibility, utilities, and grounds, playground equipment, hard court surfaces, shade structures for student assembly and protecting students from inclement weather during lunch, libraries, District support facilities, multi-purpose rooms, cafeterias; enhance signage; install fire sensors; construct/ upgrade athletic facilities, gyms, and play fields including turf; upgrade electrical wiring; construct labs, music and staff support rooms and restrooms; renovate and paint interior and exterior building surfaces to extend their useful life; improve security, install safety and communication systems and equipment; renovate classrooms, including music/art classrooms and facilities; upgrade window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting); acquire kitchen equipment, upgrade irrigation systems; make improvements and acquire furnishings and/or other electronic equipment and systems; install solar and water recycling and energy efficiency/management systems. The Project List also includes the refinancing of any outstanding lease obligationsCriticalLeases are OPERATING expenses explicitly prohibited by the Constitution Article XIII-A Section 1(b)(3)(A) (Proposition 39). "not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.", or the bridge loans taken to initiate voter approved projects. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. Some projects throughout the district, such as gyms, fields and performing arts facilities, may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site acquisition, preparation/restoration and landscaping, may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, redirecting fire access, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property.

Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the purposes identified herein. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staffCriticalWhat was that they said about no administrative salaries? when performing work on or necessary and incidentalCriticalWho do you think gets to decide? to the bond projects. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL APPOINT A CITIZEN'S OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BYLAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

No Administrator Salaries: Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and not any other purpose, including teacher and school administrator salaries and other operating expenses.

Measure O Tax Rate Statement

Measure O Agenda Description

Measure O Resolution