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Oh No!, Not Again!, Real Grassroots Oh No! on Son of O Movement
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Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
Are you sure you want vote to support this extravagant measure? It has no accountability.
This campaign was designed by Piper Jaffray & Co. 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, it to see the commentary.
Last year, you rejected Measure O.
The only significant change between Measure O and this measure is that the District removed the section on technology. I made a big deal about technology in last year's arguments, which if you look at Measure S (2007), should already have been done and paid for. Don't worry though, it's still in the fine print in the boilerplate. Do you see how deceptive and dishonest the District is? Based on this alone, you should VOTE NO.
The District has been neglecting maintenance for years while doling out extravagant salaries, benefits, and pensions. It will use borrowed money (bond money) for normal maintenance and come back in a few years with the same request, unless you cut off their drugs.
Side-by-side comparison of Measure WV and Measure O.
Side-by-side comparison of Measure O and Measure S.
Can you find any of this on the District web site? Of course not! It doesn't want to give you facts, just spin.
I draw your attention to the commentary in the oversight section. Last year the district appointed 9 new members to the oversight committee just before it put Measure O on the ballot. It tried to cover up the fact it had been violating the law for years. The district has violated the law on the membership of the oversight committee since it created the Measure S committee. The committee is filled with people who don't live and pay taxes in the district. It's a joke. Do you honestly believe it'll suddently get religion and actually follow the law?
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
EXHIBIT A
"Walnut Valley Local School Improvement Measure. To upgrade classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities, libraries, and instructional technology to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, technology, and skilled trades, acquire, construct and repair classrooms, facilities, sites and equipment including , and improve student safety and camera security systems, shall Walnut Valley Unified School District issue $152,880,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, with independent citizen oversight, and all money locally-controlled?"
Bonds – Yes Bonds – No
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
Vote YES on Measure WV to prepare local students for college and tomorrow's careers.
Measure WV is a wise investment even if you do not have school-age children. Good schools improve the quality of life in our communities and protect the value of our homes.
At Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD), students receive excellent educational opportunities that prepare them for college and tomorrow's careers. Measure WV ensures our Walnut and Diamond Bar schools maintain strong student achievement and remain among the highest performing in the State.
We need to ensure that all our students are skilled in the use of 21st-century technologies and have a solid background in science, math, engineering, and technology in order to meet rigorous, evolving educational standards.
Though some local schools have received updates to meet modern academic standards, others still need vital improvements. Many classrooms, labs, and other educational facilities need improvements to continue supporting outstanding student achievement.
Vote YES to:
Measure WV requires strict fiscal accountability including:
Join parents, teachers, elected leaders and business community in voting YES on Measure WV.
Lily Chen Eibert
WVUSD Parent Coordinating Council, President 8/16/16
Layla Abou-Taleb
President, 8/16/16
Nancy Lyons
Mayor, City of Diamond Bar 8/15/16
Eric Ching
Mayor, City of Walnut 8/16/16
Ray W. McMullen
Longtime Resident (58 yrs) & Former WVUSD Educator 8/15/16
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
Blah, blah, blah! Same cliched argument District used last year. Same signers too.
Who'd pay more for home in District when students can live anywhere?
Did you know that MORE THAN 25% of students (3,500+) live outside District? Do you feel that's an important fact? Why does District hide it? (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond)
Do you owe out-of-district parents anything?
One day after Board voted to waste your money on second largest tax increase ($305,911,275) in District history, California legislature tabled SB-1432 ("Walnut Valley Unified School District Bailout Bill"). Howls went up at District headquarters. When sponsor #EnoughHuff claims "Teacher Layoffs and School District Bankruptcies Loom," (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) he's talking about Walnut Valley Unified School District. Superintendent says "catastrophic for more than 3,500 of our students." (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond)
No joke. Joy-ride is over. District enrollment will fall to natural low over a few years. District has serious belt-tightening to do. What will it do with all those empty classrooms?
Do you feel District's telling you everything you need to know? Do you feel it's being transparent? Is it being honest?
Can you trust District?
You're not voting on what's on District's website. You're not voting on Board resolutions. You're voting on Measure WV. Nothing else counts. Measure WV becomes law. Measure WV doesn't contain specifics. It's purposely vague. Specifics would bind District. Vagueness is a BLANK CHECK. Specifics provide certainty. Vagueness means anything goes -- NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Will District use capital appreciation bonds as it's done in past? (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) Measure WV doesn't prohibit it. Side promises mean nothing.
STOP WASTE. STOP BLANK CHECK. VOTE NO!
Steve Bogan
Teacher - resident
Herman Mark Schowe
Ink Manufacturer
Steven O'Barr
Father of 2 district students, teacher
Kevin House
Foster Parent / Parent of 23 WVUSD students
Evonne Wang
Mother of 2 Walnut SD grads
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
Argument Against Measure WV
We're parents. We love kids. We're your neighbors. We love our community.
We support our schools. We don't support wasting your money on vague, unenforceable promises.
Last year District spent $214,396.93 of your money for elections. You rejected Measure O. (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) District didn't like outcome. It's wasting your money again on this election.
Don't be deceived by District's campaign funded by businesses that benefit from bond money. (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) Beware of plaintiffs masquerading as "taxpayers." (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond)
Last year District's campaign raised $106,842.50 to convince you to vote for its scheme. We talked to you face-to-face. Perhaps you remember us at your door.
Why Vote No on Measure WV?
- It's virtually, word-for-word, identical to Measure O which you rejected last year. (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) District still won't tell you what it'll spend the money on.
- Did you hear about a list? Why isn't list in Measure WV? Because District would have to spend the money ONLY on those things?
- Can you trust District? For months it's claimed Board was "considering" bond. Meanwhile, its campaign raised thousands from donors months before Board voted. (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond)
- Remember fancy mailer from District about bonds in April? (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) Remember fancy mailer about meaningless rankings in June? (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) YOU PAID FOR IT ALL. Is that fair? Using your money for campaign to persuade you to vote for bonds?
District could have replaced all the objectionably vague language from Measure O with "list of the specific school facilities projects to be funded" as required by California Constitution. Why didn't it? Because it wants vague language that gives it a BLANK CHECK and NO ACCOUNTABILITY?
Don't vote to waste your taxes on vague promises. District didn't keep its promises from Measure S (2007). (http://bit.ly/NoWVUSDBond) It spent $64,600,000 and still has "leaky roofs?"
Bond money is like drugs. Don't give District another fix. VOTE NO!
Katrina J Hirabayashi
Elementary School Teacher
Glen N. Taylor Jr
Father of 2 WHS Grad.
Ivy H. Kuan
Engineer & Parent of 2 WHS Graduates
David Manzetti
Accountant & Vice President of Mfg. Firm
Pauline Bereiter
Mother of 7 WHS Grads
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
EXHIBIT B
FULL TEXT BALLOT PROPOSITION
OF THE WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 2016
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 classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities, libraries, and instructional technology to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, technology, and skilled trades, acquire, construct and repair classrooms, facilities, sites and equipment including repairing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems, and improve student safety and camera security systems, shall Walnut Valley Unified School District issue $152,880,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, with independent citizen oversight, and all money locally-controlled?"
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 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:
The Project List includes the following types of upgrades and improvements at the District schools. However, the District has developed a specific list of projects by school site to be funded with this Measure and has made initial cost estimates for those projects. The list can be found on the District's website at www.wvusd.k12.ca.us. The following descriptions are summaries of the types of projects on the .
Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects Which Support Student Achievement
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:
Safety and Security Projects Needed For Students to Succeed in
High School, College and Careers
Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools are a wise investment to (i) help protect and , (ii) protect the quality of life in our community, (iii) maintain the quality of education, and (iv) provide advanced courses in core subjects like , schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of safety and security projects, such as:
Student Safety
* * *
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 the 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 and firewall systems, computers, and other miscellaneous equipment. The repair of school facilities includes the upgrading and 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 sensor; construct and 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 and 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. , 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. 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. when performing work on or to the bond projects. 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.
FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL APPOINT A 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, , A AND A . 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.
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
Agenda of August 10, 2016 (complete item)
VI. GENERAL BUSINESS
C 1. APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS (YEAR-END) REF B-1
A. Approve Authorization for the County Superintendent of Schools to make necessary Year-End Appropriation Transfers.
Action: Motion: Second:
Vote: Ayes Nays Abstentions
2. PROJECT LIST (PROPOSED GO BOND) REF B-2
A. Approve Project List for Proposed General Obligation Bond 2016.
Action: Motion: Second:
Vote: Ayes Nays Abstentions
3. ELECTION ORDER (PROPOSED GO BOND) REF B-3
A. Adopt WVUSD Resolution #17-02 – Ordering an Election and Establishing Specifications of the Election Order.
Action: Motion: Second:
Vote: Ayes Nays Abstentions
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Business Services Division
WVUSD RESOLUTION # 17-02
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WALNUT
VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ORDERING AN ELECTION,
AND ESTABLISHING SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ELECTION ORDER
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the "Board") is committed to maintaining the quality of education in local public schools by upgrading classrooms, science labs and computer systems to keep pace with technology; and
WHEREAS, our local schools are among the highest performing in the State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, nonetheless, the Board has determined that local neighborhood schools within the Walnut Valley Unified School District (the "District") need to be upgraded, repaired, improved and better equipped to help ensure that all students have equal access to updated classrooms, labs, and modern instructional technology.
WHEREAS, the Board believes that if we want students to succeed in college and careers, they must be skilled in the use of 21st Century technologies and have a solid background in science math, engineering and technology; and
WHEREAS, the Board believes it is a wise investment to protect the quality of our schools, the quality of life in our community and the value of our homes; and
WHEREAS, the State of California (the "State") is not providing the District with enough money for the District to adequately maintain its educational facilities and academic programs; and
WHEREAS, the Board has concluded that the District's only remedy to avoid undermining its educational programs is securing local funding that the State cannot take away or be used for other purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Board has received information regarding the possibility of local bond measure and its ability to significantly impact providing a 21st Century education in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM); and
WHEREAS, such a measure will help provide funds that cannot be taken away by the State to upgrade aging schools to keep pace with changing technologies, protect student safety, and add classrooms, updated labs, libraries, health science centers and other school facilities; and
WHEREAS, such measure will include mandatory taxpayer protections, including an independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory audits to ensure funds are spent properly; and
WHEREAS, the Board and District have solicited extensive stakeholder and community input on school priorities from parents, teachers, staff, the community and civic leaders; and
WHEREAS, on November 7, 2000, the voters of California approved the Smaller Classes, Safer Schools and Financial Accountability Act ("Proposition 39") which reduced the voter threshold for ad valorem tax levies used to pay for debt service on bonded indebtedness to 55% of the votes cast on a school district general obligation bond; and
WHEREAS, concurrent with the passage of Proposition 39, Chapter 1.5, Part 10, Division 1, Title 1 (commencing with Section 15264) of the Education Code (the "Act") became operative and established requirements associated with the implementation of Proposition 39; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to make certain findings herein to be applicable to this election order and to establish certain performance audits, standards of financial accountability and citizen oversight that are contained in Proposition 39 and the Act; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to authorize the submission of a proposition to the District's voters at an election to authorize the issuance of bonds to pay for certain necessary improvements and enhancements to District educational facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Board hereby determines that, in accordance with Opinion No. 04-110 of the Attorney General of the State of California, the restrictions in Proposition 39 which prohibit any bond money from being wasted or used for inappropriate administrative salaries or other operating expenses of the District shall be strictly monitored by the District's Citizens' Oversight Committee; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Education Code Section 15270, based upon a projection of assessed property valuation, the Board has determined that, if approved by voters, the tax rate levied to meet the debt service requirements of the bonds proposed to be issued will not exceed the Proposition 39 limits per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation of taxable property; and
WHEREAS, Elections Code Section 9400 et seq. requires that a tax rate statement be contained in all official materials relating to the election, including any ballot pamphlet prepared, sponsored, or distributed by the District; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to authorize the filing of a tax rate statement and ballot argument in favor of the proposition to be submitted to the voters at the election; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Elections Code, it is appropriate for the Board to request consolidation of the election with any and all other elections to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, and to request the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters to perform certain election services for the District;
NOW THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the Board, pursuant to Education Code Sections 15100 et seq., 15264 et seq., and Government Code Section 53506, hereby requests the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters to conduct an election under the provisions of Proposition 39 and the Act and submit to the electors of the District the question of whether bonds of the District in the aggregate principal amount of $152,880,000 (the "Bonds") shall be issued and sold for the purpose of raising money for the projects described in Exhibits "A" and "B" hereto. Both exhibits are directed to be printed in the voter pamphlet.
Section 2. That the date of the election shall be November 8, 2016.
Section 3. That the purpose of the election shall be for the voters in the District to vote on a proposition, a copy of which is attached hereto and marked Exhibit "A," incorporated by reference herein, and containing the question of whether the District shall issue the Bonds to pay for improvements to the extent permitted by such proposition. In compliance with Proposition 39 and the Act, the ballot propositions in Exhibits "A" and "B" are subject to the following requirements and determinations:
Section 4. That the authority for ordering the election is contained in Education Code Sections 15100 et seq., 15264 et seq., and Government Code Section 53506.
Section 5. That the authority for the specifications of this election order is contained in Sections 5322 of the Education Code.
Section 6. That the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors are hereby requested to consolidate the election ordered hereby with any and all other elections to be held on November 8, 2016, within the District. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 10403 the Board acknowledges that the consolidation election will be held and conducted in the manner prescribed in Elections Code Section 10408.
Section 7. That the Secretary of the Board is hereby directed to deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters no later than August 12, 2016.
Section 8. The Bonds may be issued pursuant to Education Code Section 15264 et seq. or pursuant to Government Code Section 53506. The maximum rate of interest on any Bond shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by Education Code Sections 15140 to 15143, as modified by Government Code Section 53531.
Section 9. That the Board requests the governing body of any such other political subdivision, or any officer otherwise authorized by law, to partially or completely consolidate such election and to further provide that the canvass of the returns of the election be made by any body or official authorized by law to canvass such returns, and that the Board consents to such consolidation. The Board further authorizes the submission of a tax rate statement and primary and rebuttal arguments, as appropriate, to be filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters by the established deadlines.
Section 10. Pursuant to Education Code Section 5303 and Elections Code Section 10002, the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County is requested to permit the Registrar of Voters to render all services specified by Elections Code Section 10418 relating to the election, for which services the District agrees to reimburse Los Angeles County, such services to include the publication of a Formal Notice of School Bond Election and the mailing of the sample ballot and tax rate statement (described in Elections Code Section 9401) pursuant to the terms of Education Code Section 5363 and Elections Code Section 12112.
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 10th day of August, 2016.
____________________________________
Helen M. Hall, President of the Walnut Valley
Unified School District Board of Trustees
Attest:
______________________________________
Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Secretary of the Walnut
Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)ss
LOS ANGELES COUNTY )
I, Dr. Robert P. Taylor, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 17-02, which was duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Walnut Valley Unified School District at the meeting thereof held on the 10th day of August, 2016, and that it was so adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
By
Secretary, Dr. Robert P. Taylor
Commentary Question Argument in Favor Rebuttal in Favor Argument Against Full Text Agenda Resolution
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