Commentary on Measure C

Are you sure you want vote to support this extravagant measure? It has no accountability.

This campaign was designed by a member of the school bonds cartel. We figured out just the right words to get you to you to open up your checkbook.

We'd also like to introduce you to our partners -- bond lawyers, brokers, wealthy investors, architects, management firms, construction companies, and trade unions. We all stand to make a ton of money on these bonds. Our profits come right off the top, before a penny is actually spent on improving the facilities.

We're not just doing it for the money. We like to show off our work in Architectural Digest and other places where the rich and famous congregate.

Remember, we've taken a lot of risk. We gave money to get your governing board members elected, so they'd be sure to remember us when we came around for a hand-out later.

It's just business-as-usual, here in sunny Corruptifornia.

Please don't read the fine print. That's just put in by the lawyers to make what we're going to do to for you legal.

When you see highlighting in the documents below, hover overCriticalExample commentary. it to see the commentary.

Measure C Question

WILLIAMS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
DISTRITO ESCOLAR UNIFICADO DE WILLIAMS
MEASURE C

"To improve the quality of education with funding that cannot be taken by the state; modernize, renovate and/or construct classrooms, restrooms, libraries, and school facilities; make health, safety and handicapped accessibility improvements; replace temporary portables; and upgrade P.E. fields and facilities for school and community useCriticalThe Californian Constitution prohibits the use of Proposition 39 bond funds for anything other than "school facilities." The term is used no less than five times in the Constitution. It's not for funding community projects.; shall the Williams Unified School District issue $11,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, have an independent citizens' oversight committeeCriticalIndependent? Really? The staff selects the committee. The Board rubber-stamps it. The Board can remove anyone who questions anything that the money is used for. You can be certain that there won't be anyone on the committee who isn't a cheerleader for spending your money on architectural marvels, like the Taj Mahal. and have NO money used for administrative or teacher salaries?"

BONDS - YES / BONOS - SÍ
BONDS - NO / BONOS - NO

Impartial Analysis for Measure C

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IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF COUNTY COUNSEL
MEASURE C

This measure would authorize the Williams Unified School District to issue up to a total of $11.0 million in bonds with interest rates up to the statutory limit of 12%. Bond proceeds can only be used to fund specific construction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities authorized and listed in the measure, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities. Bond proceeds cannot be used for any other purpose such as teacher salaries, administrative salaries, or other school operating expenses.

This measure requires the establishment of a citizen's oversight committee which will include, among others, representation of a taxpayers association, a business organization, and a senior citizens organization. District employees or vendors will not be allowed to serve on the oversight committee. Furthermore, the District Board of Trustees is required to perform an annual performance and financial audit to ensure that bond proceeds have been spent on specifically authorized projects. Additionally, so long as any bond proceeds remain unspent, the District is required to provide the Board of Trustees with an annual report describing the status of any bond proceeds and the school facilities projects funded by those proceeds.

The best estimate of the average tax rate needed to fund the proposed issuance of bonds by the District is $49.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary depending on the timing of the bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale and actual increases/decreases in assessed valuation. The total estimated principal and interest to be repaid is $23,300,000 if all the bonds are issued and sold.

This measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the Williams Unified School District. It requires at least a 55% yes vote to pass.

/s/ Marcos A. Kropf
Colusa County Counsel

Argument in Favor of Measure C

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE C

Our schools are some of the most important assets in our community and should be our number one priority.

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 Williams Unified 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 C!

Although our schools have been well maintained over the years, aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century standards. Measure C would allow the District to improve our local schools and the quality of education provided to students. By investing in our schools, we can meet today's safety, technological, and educational standards and better our community.

If passed, Measure C will provide funding to make facility improvements at Williams schools including:

• • Modernizing and renovating outdated classrooms, restrooms, libraries, and school facilities
• • Making health, safety and handicapped accessibility improvements
• • Improving student safety at drop-off and pick-up areas
• • Replacing temporary portables with permanent classrooms
• • Repairing or replacing leaky roofs
• • Upgrading inadequate electrical systems

Measure C 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 schools, not for teacher or administrator salaries.

Measure C upgrades and renovates old and inadequate school facilities, improves the education of local students, and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE C!

Argument Against Measure C

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE C

None Filed

Full Text of Measure C

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WILLIAMS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEASURE C
FULL TEXT OF THE MEASURE

Section 1. Specifications of Election Order. Pursuant to sections 5304, 5322, 15100 et seq., and section 15266 of the California Education Code, an election shall be held within the boundaries of the District on November 8, 2016, for the purpose of submitting to the registered voters of the District the following proposition:

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $11.0 million in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below. Bonds will be issued in one or more series.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers of the District 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 section 15264 et seq. of the California Education Code).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Trustees has prepared its Capital Investment Program in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the District, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (section 15278 et seq. of the California Education Code), to ensure bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees.

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

Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall cause to conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

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 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 shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2017, 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 the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projectsCriticalThis really takes the cake. How is any of this "a list of the specific school facilities projects to be funded" as required by the California Constitution? It's not. It authorizes the district to spend the money on whatever it wants, whenever it wants, wherever it wants. the District proposes to finance with proceeds of the Bonds. Such projects will be completed as neededCriticalYou see? None of these repairs are current needs. They may be needed in the future, though. After years and years of neglect, any facility will fall into disrepair.. Each projectCriticalHere it comes. This is the kitchen sink paragraph. Ask an English teacher to diagram every sentence. See if any two people can agree on what all this gibberish means. It's here so that just in case the district left something out, this covers it, no matter what the district wants to do. is assumed to include its share of costs of the electionCriticalThis illustrates how the district will claw back every nickel and dime it can. The agenda says the election costs will come from the general fund. It's an overhead cost 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." and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore the Board of Trustees cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

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Approval of Measure C does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Williams Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure C will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure C. 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.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, 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.

Single Purpose. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to section 15100 of the California Education Code, and all the enumerated purposes shall constitute the specific single purpose of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purpose, pursuant to section 53410 of the California Government Code.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, and that interest will be made payable at the time or times permitted by law. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature later than shall be permitted by law.

EXHIBIT A
WILLIAMS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND PROJECT LIST

Bond funds may be spent on the following projects at some or all of the District's sites although there is no guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects:

• • Modernize and renovate outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities
• • Make health, safety and handicapped accessibility improvements
• • Improve student safety at drop-off and pick-up areas
• • Replace temporary portables with permanent classrooms
• • Repair or replace leaky roofsCriticalIs it a coincidence that every district in the state has "leaky roofs"? You might even ask if leaky roofs actually exist? If they do, why haven't they been repaired yet. Are they reported on the School Accountability Report Card? If not, then you're being lied to. According to the school bond cartel's professional marketing study, claiming "leaky roofs" translates directly into yes votes from voters who are made to feel guilty about it.
• • Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems
• • Upgrade inadequate electrical systems
• • Upgrade and expand libraries
• • Repair or replace outdated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
• • Upgrade/renovate playgrounds, play structures and P.E. fields and facilities for school and community use
• • Improve student access to computers and modern technology
• • Upgrade fire-alarm systems
• • Modernize/renovate classrooms to meet 21st century educational standards
• • Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increased capacity
• • Federal and State-mandated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety upgrades including playground equipment replacement
• • All Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades including site access, parking, staff and student restrooms, relocation of some existing electrical devices, drinking fountains, playground equipment, etc.
• • Upgrade school site parking, roadways, utilities and grounds
• • Abate and remove hazardous materials identified prior or during construction
• • Repair, replace and/or upgrade paved surfaces, turf, and other grounds to eliminate safety hazards

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* * *

The listed projects will be completed as neededCriticalYou see? None of these repairs are current needs. They may be needed in the future, though. After years and years of neglect, any facility will fall into disrepair.. Each projectCriticalHere it comes. This is the kitchen sink paragraph. Ask an English teacher to diagram every sentence. See if any two people can agree on what all this gibberish means. It's here so that just in case the district left something out, this covers it, no matter what the district wants to do. is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program management, staff training expensesCriticalTraining is an operating expense, specifically prohibited by the California Constitution. What will it train staff to do? How to open a door? How to turn on the lights? This is just another way to move operating costs from the general fund to the bonds and use the money saved to pay salaries, benefits, and pensions. 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 the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including the reduction or retirement of 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." and interim funding incurred to advance fund projectsCriticalThe lawyers never cease creating new language to mask the true intention. This is another way of authorizing lease-leaseback. Lease-leaseback is a method of delivery that avoids competitive bids. Using a lease-leaseback when bond money is available is fraudulent, because there is no need for a lease. See the litigation involving Fresno Unified and Harris Construction about the fraudulent use of lease-leaseback by school districts. from the Project List, payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility studies, assessment reviews, facility master plan preparation and updatesCriticalFacilities master plans are required by law, whether or not there is a bond. These 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.", environmental studies (including environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring), design and construction documentation, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, LCD projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection systems, laser printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgrade voice-over-IP, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment and software.

The budget for each project, as defined in the Capital Investment Program is an estimation and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. 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 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.

The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. In the absence of State matching funds, which the District will pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District may not be able to complete some of the projects listed above.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL APPOINT A CITIZENS' 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. BY LAW, 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 THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHER AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.

Measure C Tax Rate Statement

MEASURE C
TAX RATE STATEMENT

An election will be held in the Williams Unified School District (the "District") on November 8, 2016, to authorize the sale of up to $11.0 million in bonds of the District for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List established by the District, as described in the proposition. If the bonds are authorized, the District expects to sell the bonds in one or more series. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code.

(1) The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bonds 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, is $49 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18.

(2) The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bonds 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, is $49 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2022-23.

(3) The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $49 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18.

(4) The best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bonds during the life of the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $49 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

(5) 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 $23,300,000. This estimates is based on assumptions regarding future interest rates and the term, timing, structure and amount of each series of bonds.

Voters should note that such estimated tax rates are specific to the repayment of bonds issued under this authorization and are and will be in addition to tax rates levied in connection with other bond authorizations approved or to be approved by the District or any other overlapping public agency.

Voters should note that estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on Colusa County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the Colusa County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

Dated: June 16, 2016.

/s/ Jennifer Foglesong
Superintendent
Williams Unified School District