Commentary on Measure Y

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 Y Question

Ballot Measure

EXHIBIT B

MEASURE Y
(ABBREVIATED FORM)

"To improve the quality of education at local schools; fix 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yes votes from voters who are made to feel guilty about it.; make health, safety and security improvements; modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms, and school facilities; replace portables with permanent classrooms; access State Matching funds; construct new classrooms; and upgrade technology infrastructure; shall the Pioneer Union Elementary School District issue $7,000,000 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., annual audits, and NO money for teacher or administrative salaries and all funds controlled locally?"

Impartial Analysis for Measure Y

Impartial Analysis

PIONEER UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
NOVEMBER 2016 BOND MEASURE Y

(IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL PURSUANT TO
SECTION 9500 OF THE ELECTIONS CODE)

Voter approval of this Measure will authorize the governing board of the Pioneer Union Elementary School District (the "District") to issue and sell bonds in the maximum amount of Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00), bearing interest at legal rates and with maturity dates within the legal limits. The bond proceeds may be expended to upgrade, modernize, replace, and improve District facilities.

The bond Project List ("List") in the Measure describes the specific projects the District proposes to finance with proceeds from the sale of the bonds. The District may use bond proceeds only for the purposes specified in the Measure. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, constructing new classrooms and facilities, repairing or replacing leaky roofs, making health, safety, security and handicapped accessibility improvements, modernizing, renovating and/or constructing classrooms, restrooms and school facilities, replacing temporary portables with permanent classrooms, improving student access to computers and modern technology, making energy-efficiency improvements to reduce utility costs, improving student safety at drop-off and pick-up areas, constructing a new library, upgrading/renovating/constructing playgrounds, play structures and P.E. fields and facilities for school and community use, modernizing/renovating classrooms to meet 21st century educational standards, making water conservation and irrigation systems improvements, replacing existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increased capacity, implementing Federal and State-mandated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety upgrades including playground equipment replacement, implementing 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., upgrading school site parking, roadways, utilities and grounds, abating and removing hazardous materials identified prior to or during construction, repairing, replacing and/or upgrading paved surfaces, turf, and other grounds to eliminate safety hazards and improve outside instructional areas. The bond proceeds may not be used for purposes not specified in the List, including teacher or administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. Inclusion of a project on the List does not guarantee the project will be funded or completed.

This Measure would require annual, independent performance and financial audits of the use of bond proceeds and appointment of a citizens' oversight committee.

Information regarding the estimated tax rate to repay these bonds is found in the "Tax Rate Statement" prepared by the District. The actual tax rate necessary to pay the Bond Measure may vary depending on the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at each sale and actual increases in assessed valuations.

The Measure makes no change to existing law and it must be approved by at least 55% of the eligible votes cast or the bonds will not be issued. This Measure was placed on the ballot by order of the governing board of the District.

COLLEEN CARLSON
2016-63-326 [85504] County Counsel

Argument in Favor of Measure Y

Statement in Favor of Measure

Argument in Favor of Measure Y

Pioneer Union Elementary School District

Our schools are the most important assets in our community and should be our number one priority. From higher achieving students, to greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. While our teachers and staff do a great job in educating our children, many classrooms and school facilities in the Pioneer Union 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 Y!

In June our bond measure narrowly lost by just over 100 votes. Let's make sure that doesn't happen again. Aging classrooms and facilities must be upgraded since many do not meet 21st century standards. Measure Y would allow the District to improve our schools and the quality of education provided to local children. By investing in our schools, we can meet today's educational standards and improve our community.

If passed, Measure Y will provide funding to make facility improvements at local schools by:

• • Replacing temporary portables with permanent classroom
• • Making health, safety and security improvements
• • Constructing new classrooms
• • Repairing or replacing leaky roofs
• • Modernizing outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities
• • Upgrading technology

Measure Y makes financial sense and protects taxpayers.

• • Passing Measure Y will qualify the District to receive up to 8 million dollars in State building funds.
• • 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 local schools, not for teacher or administrator salaries.

Measure Y upgrades and renovates old and inadequate classrooms, 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 Y!

Word Count: 299

"The undersigned proponents or authors of the direct argument in favor of ballot Measure Y at the Presidential General election for the Pioneer Union Elementary School District to be held on November 8, 2016 hereby state that such argument is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief."

Argument Against Measure Y

NO ARGUMENT AGAINST THIS MEASURE WAS SUBMITTED

Full Text of Measure Y

Full Text Ballot Proposition

EXHIBIT A

BALLOT MEASURE
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE

This proposition may be known and referred to as the Pioneer Union Elementary School District General Obligation Bond of 2016, or Measure Y.

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Pioneer Union Elementary School District (the "District") shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $7.0 million 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 Education hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing 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 for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, 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 Education 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 Education 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 Education 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 Education 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 Kings, 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 Education 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 Bond Project List below describes 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 Pioneer Union Elementary School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed projects will be completed as needed at a particular school site according to Board-established priorities, and the order in which such projects appear on the Bond Project List is not an indication of priority for funding or completion. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. Certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Until all project costs and funding sources are known, the Board of Education cannot determine the amount of bond proceeds available to be spent on each project, nor guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. Completion of some projects may be subject to further government approvals or appropriation by State officials and boards, to local environmental review, and to input from the public. For these reasons, inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List is not a guarantee that the project will be funded or completed.

Unless otherwise noted, the projects in the Bond Project List are authorized to be completed at each or any of the District's sites, as shall be approved by the Board of Education:

• • Construct new classrooms and facilities
• • Repair or replace leaky roofs
• • Make health, safety, security and handicapped accessibility improvements
• • Modernize, renovate, and or construct classrooms, restrooms and school facilities
• • Replace temporary portables with permanent classrooms
• • Improve student access to computers and modern technology
• • Make energy-efficiency improvements to reduce utility costsCriticalThis is illegal. Reducing costs (operating expenses) is 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."
• • Improve student safety at drop-off and pick-up areas
• • Construct a new library
• • Upgrade/renovate/construct playgrounds, play structures and P.E. fields and facilities for school and community use
• • Modernize/renovate classrooms to meet 21st century educational standards
• • Make water conservation and irrigation systems improvements
• • 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
• • 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 and improve outside instructional areas

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/project management, staff training expensesCriticalCOMMENT and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the 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 projects from the list; installation of signage and fencing; 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 construction projects. In addition to the projects listed above, the repair and renovation of each of the existing school facilities may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovation of student and staff restrooms; repair and replacement of heating and ventilation systems; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies; repair and replacement of worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls, doors and drinking fountains; installation wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; upgrades or construction of support facilities, including administrative, physical education/athletic facilities and performing arts buildingsCriticalLook at what the district is hiding in this huge list. Is the district telling you it will use the money for this? Why is it included then? You're being conned! and maintenance yards; repair and replacement of fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; resurfacing or replacing of hard courts, turf and irrigation systems and campus landscaping and play fields; expand parking; install interior and exterior painting and floor covering; demolition; and construction of various forms of storage and support spaces, upgrade classrooms, bleachers, kitchens, repair, upgrade and install interior and exterior lighting systems; replace outdated security fences and security systems. 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, wireless technology systems and other miscellaneous equipment and software. The allocation of bond proceeds will 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 aggressively pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District will not be able to complete some of the projects listed above. 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 and construction documents are finalized, construction bids are received, construction contracts 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 more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration 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, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. 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 bond projects and the costs of issuing the bonds. Bond proceeds shall only be expended for the specific purposes identified herein. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.

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.

Measure Y Tax Rate Statement

Tax Rate Statement

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Pioneer Union Elementary School District (the "District") on November 8, 2016 to authorize the sale of $7,000,000 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 $.0295 per $100 ($29.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17.

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 $.0295 per $100 ($29.50 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 $.0295 per $100 ($29.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

The best estimate from official sources 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 will be approximately $16,000,000.

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.

Dated: ______________

______________________
Paul van Loon
Superintendent
Pioneer Union Elementary School District