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

To improve aging Beverly Hills schools, upgrade inefficient heating, cooling/ electrical systems causing significant maintenance cost savings redirected to classroom instruction, upgrade/ repair classrooms, libraries/ science labs, replace deteriorating restrooms/ leaky roofs, complete deferred maintenance projects, provide modern classroom technology infrastructure, upgrade, construct/ acquire classrooms, facilities/ sites with local funding the State cannot take away, shall Beverly Hills Unified School District issue $260,000,000 of bonds at legal rates, with strict citizen oversight, annual audits/ all funds for Beverly Hills schools?

Bonds - Yes Bonds - No

Impartial Analysis for Measure Y

PR-004947-5 LA 310-078

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE Y

By Mary C. Wickham, County Counsel

Approval of Measure Y ("Measure") would authorize the Board of Education ("Board") of the Beverly Hills Unified School District ("District"), which placed the Measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 2016-2017-004, to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $260,000,000.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by the Measure shall be used only for the purposes specified in the Measure, including, but not limited to, completing deferred maintenance projects; upgrading heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; improving earthquake and fire safety in all school buildings; repairing or replacing roofs, electrical systems, floors, walls, restrooms, windows, and plumbing systems; repairing, modernizing, constructing, and acquiring classrooms; replacing science labs and facilities; adding electrical service capacity to electrical systems; installing energy-efficient systems; improving lighting, fencing, windows, locks, and other security systems; upgrading schools to improve accessibility; removing hazardous materials from school sites; modernizing buildings and constructing new facilities at Beverly Hills High School and Hawthorne School; modernizing Building E and constructing a new parking structure at El Rodeo School; and installing a security system District-wide. Bond proceeds may not be expended on teacher and administrator salaries and other operating expenses.

The Board shall cause independent performance and financial audits to be conducted annually to ensure that bond proceeds are spent only for the projects identified in the Measure. The Board shall appoint an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee in accordance with Education Code section 15278 no later than 60 days after the Board enters the election results in its minutes to ensure that bond proceeds are spent as specified in the Measure and as provided by law. The District shall create an account into which bond proceeds shall be deposited and shall comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code section 53410.

The maximum rate of interest on any bond shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. According to the District's Tax Rate Statement, the best estimate of the highest tax rate required to fund the bonds, based on a projection of assessed valuations available when the District filed its Tax Rate Statement, is $44 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain outstanding. The estimated tax rate is based on the assessed value of taxable property on the official tax rolls, not on the property's market value.

This Measure requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote for passage.

Argument in Favor of Measure Y

PR-004947-6 LA 310-079

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE Y

VOTE YES on Measure Y

Beverly Hills Unified has provided a high-quality education to students in our community for over 100 years. Understandably, the facilities have grown old – really old. Most of our schools are 85-100 years old and require urgent repairs and upgrades to address health, safety, and instructional problems that impact our students each day.

Measure Y is the solution to make the critical improvements necessary to continue keeping students safe and prepare them for success in college and future careers.

Yes on Measure Y will:

Taxpayer Accountability

Measure Y is a fiscally conservative plan. Funds MUST stay in Beverly Hills. By law, these funds CANNOT be taken by the State. Measure Y funds may only be spent to fund projects itemized in the ballot measure. NO funds are allowed for administrators' salaries or pensions. Independent Citizens' Oversight, mandatory audits and public reports will ensure funds are spent properly.

Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting the local quality of education is a smart investment. Outstanding public schools protect our property values and keep our community STRONG.

Please join teachers, parents, business and civic leaders, and residents in every neighborhood of Beverly Hills to ensure safe, modern, excellent schools in Beverly Hills for years to come.

VOTE YES on Measure Y.

Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure Y

PR-004947-7 LA 310-080

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE Y

The proponents of Measure Y write that the bond is necessary to prepare our kids for "success in college and future careers."

Nonsense.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District has fallen behind significantly in academic ranking; more bond measures won't solve this. The District needs to get its act together, keep promises and restore academic excellence before we continue to throw money at them.

For the last bond measure, less than 10 years ago, the District promised our property taxes would "stay the same." Yet they have increased taxes three times since then. Consequently, average and medium single house owners will have seen an average increase in property tax bills of around $1200 to $1600. Measure Y would increase tax bills from $700 to $1000 more.

Vote NO on Measure Y and reject this money grab.

The same Board members proposing Measure Y implemented a completely unsustainable salary formula in 2014 linking teacher salaries to Beverly Hills property values. The Board has failed to safeguard our tax dollars and simply cannot be trusted.

Furthermore, for the past three years performance audit reports have raised multiple concerns that remain unresolved and ignored by the Board.

There is simply no reason to believe Measure Y will be managed differently from Measure E. In fact, Measure E promised us some of the same upgrades they are trying to sell over again with Measure Y.

Under the law, Measure Y cannot fund technology nor does it require a citizens' oversight committee.

Measure Y is the bond story that never ends…

Send a message and vote NO on Measure Y.

Argument Against Measure Y

PR-004947-8 LA 310-081

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE Y

Measure Y asks you to give the Beverly Hills School District another blank check. We urge a NO vote, because this District can't be trusted.

Many of us supported the last bond measure that raised $334 million for school construction. That bond explicitly PROMISED not to increase our property taxes. This School Board broke its promise and unilaterally increased our taxes multiple times since the passage of that bond without voter approval.

The Beverly Hills School District's gross fiscal mismanagement and incompetence has wasted our money and violated our trust. With millions squandered on expensive lawyers, false promises and false starts, Measure E's only completed project after 8 years is one building at Horace Mann School.

Under Measure E, the District has recklessly resorted to issuing large amounts of Capital Appreciation Bonds, costing our taxpayers up to 200% interest. Such interest is outrageous, and agreeing to pay such rates is yet another example of the District's fiscal mismanagement and bad judgment.

This new proposed bond Measure Y was hastily approved by only 3 of the 5 members of the school board, with a minimum of public input and discussion. It doesn't pay for technology. And, despite assertions on the ballot language, it will not require citizen's oversight.

Beverly Hills voters care deeply about education and are willing to pay for modern, safe schools. In exchange, we are entitled to transparency, accountability and intelligent use of our money. Beverly Hills School District has a dismal fiscal track record of waste and broken promises. It should not be trusted with another dollar at this time.

The Beverly Hills School District needs to regain our trust and then return to us with a thoughtful, intelligent plan that we can all support. This current scheme is not that plan: we urge a NO vote on Measure Y.

Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure Y

PR-004947-9 LA 310-082

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE Y

Do not let those opposed to progress make this initiative about adults. Measure Y is about the health, safety, and welfare of our children and their ability to compete globally in the 21st Century economy.

It is hypocritical for two former school board members in opposition not to mention that they sat on the 2008 board that supported Measure E. That it was their board that made the false promises. It was their board that violated your trust. It was their board that mismanaged construction funds. Which explains why their board did not build anything with your tax dollars. Simply put, the current board has cleaned up their mess.

The Mayor's "Residents First" mantra evidently applies only to those who voted for him. The opposition misleads the community regarding construction and tax rates. BHUSD is currently under construction and has expended Measure E funds at all five schools.

In 2015-16 the Measure E tax rate was $27.34 and the cost to the median assessed single-family homeowner was $437.68 a year, or $1.20 per day. In 2015-16 Measure E represented only 2.43% of the total property taxes assessed on homeowners. Mr. Mayor we say put "Kids First" vote YES on Measure Y.

Even our opponents agree that students deserve modern and safe schools and the longer we wait the more expensive the cost will be to this community.

Join Superintendent Steve Kessler, teachers, parents, and concerned residents as a voice for our students by voting YES on Measure Y.

Full Text of Measure Y

PR-004906-13 LA 310-073

FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE Y

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Beverly Hills Unified School District.

"To improve aging Beverly Hills schools, upgrade inefficient heating, cooling/electrical systems causing significant maintenance cost savings redirected to classroom instruction, upgrade/repair classrooms, libraries/science labs, replace deteriorating restrooms/leaky roofs, complete deferred maintenance projects, provide modern classroom technology infrastructure, upgrade, construct/acquire classrooms, facilities/sites with local funding the State cannot take away, shall Beverly Hills Unified School District issue $260,000,000 of bonds at legal rates, with strict citizen oversight, annual audits/all funds for Beverly Hills schools?"

PROJECT LIST

The Board of Education of the Beverly Hills Unified School District is committed to improving the quality of education by providing students and teachers with safe and secure facilities with up-to-date technology infrastructure needed to prepare students for 21st Century academic standards and jobs. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input in developing this Project List. Teachers, staff, 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 Education determines that the District MUST:

1. (i) Complete deferred maintenance projects and upgrade inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, annually saving significant maintenance expenses which savings can be returned to classroom instruction.
2. (ii) Improve earthquake and fire safety of all school buildings.
3. (iii) Repair or replace old, leaky roofs, and inadequate electrical systems.
4. (iv) Prohibit bond money from being used for non-construction administrative costs;
5. (v) Adhere to specific fiscal accountability safeguards such as:
1. (a) Prohibit the State from taking any of the funds raised.
2. (b) All expenditures will be subject to ANNUAL INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL AUDITS.
3. (c) No funds will be used for administrators' salaries and/or pensions.

(Continued on next page)
PR-004947-1 LA 310-074
FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE Y (Continued)

4. (d) All funds will stay in the District and be subject to local control.
5. (e) 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. WILL BE APPOINTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY AS AUTHORIZED.

The Project List includes all of the following types of upgrades and improvements at District sites:

Local School Repair and Upgrade Projects
To Save Annual Maintenance Expenses

Goal and Purpose: To provide local funds which cannot be taken away by the State so that the District can significantly reduce its annual maintenance budget and return the savings to the classroom, every local school will benefit from projects including:

– Repair or replace old, worn-out school floors and walls, restrooms, windows, and 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..

– Replace and repair aging school plumbing systems and restrooms.

– Repair, modernize, construct and acquire classrooms, replacing out-of-date science labs and facilities with up-to-date classrooms.

– Add electrical service capacity to relieve overloaded electrical systems so that it can handle modern instructional technology.

Energy Efficiency – Returning Savings to the Classroom

– Install energy efficient systems to save money and protect the quality of instruction in core subjects like reading, math, science and technology.

– Replace older heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems which will save money for educational uses.

School Safety, Security and Health Wellness Projects

Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values and, improve the quality of teaching especially in the areas of science, technology, arts and music, every school and school sites will benefit from a variety of health and safety projects, such as:

Student Safety and Security

(Continued on next page)
PR-004947-2 LA 310-075
FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE Y (Continued)

– Upgrade fire safety systems of older buildings including fire alarm equipment and sprinklers to make students safe in the event of an emergency.

– Improve lighting, fencing, windows, locks and other security systems to ensure safe school environments.

– Upgrade schools to improve accessibility by disabled students and teachers.

Student Health

– Remove hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, fungus or mold from older school sites.

– Upgrade heating, air conditioning and air filtration to ensure healthy learning environments.

Further, 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. This list was approved by the Board of Education on August 9, 2016 and includes the following projects:

Beverly Hills High School Modernization of buildings B4, C, L and F, construction of new facilities, development of North site and South site. Estimated cost: $141,500,000.

El Rodeo School Modernization of building E, construct new parking structure, and completion of site development. Estimated cost: $17,000,000.

Hawthorne School Modernization of existing facilities, construction of new facilities and acquisition of temporary trailers. Estimated cost: $91,250,000.

District-Wide Project Installation of wayfinding/security system. Estimated cost: $700,000.

In addition to these estimated costs, the measure would include funds for planning and expenses, and project contingencies.

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 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 (Continued on next page)
PR-004947-3 LA 310-076
FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE Y (Continued) reviews, environmental studies, construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The repair of school facilities includes: the modernization of classrooms, including cabinetry, duct work, wiring, electrical systems, constructing/upgrading/replacing surface and below ground school site parking, improving campus accessibility, drop-off areas, roadways, entrances and exits, utilities, including the installation of alternative energy systems such as, but not limited to, solar panels; upgrade irrigation systems, grounds, hard court surfaces, cracked concrete, asphalt and brick surfaces, shade structures for student assembly and protecting students from inclement weather during lunch, libraries, and District support facilities; installing enhanced signage and fire sensors; improving restrooms and drinking fountains; upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, athletic facilities, gyms, pools and play fields for safety and operational efficiency; renovating and painting interior and exterior building surfaces to extend their useful life; installing security, safety and communication systems; replacing portable classrooms and renovating auditoriums; upgrading ceilings, lighting, window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting). 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 financing/refinancing of real property acquisition and improvements; and acquiring land, making site improvements, building infrastructure and/or constructing additional facilities thereon, for the purpose of expanding instructional programs to meet future educational demands. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. Some projects throughout the District 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 and 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.

(Continued on next page)
PR-004947-4 LA 310-077
FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE Y (Continued)

Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the specific 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 the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 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.

Measure Y Tax Rate Statement

PR-004947-10 LA 310-083

TAX RATE STATEMENT -MEASURE Y

An election will be held in the Beverly Hills Unified School District (the "District") on November 8, 2016, to authorize the sale of up to $260,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the measure. If such bonds are authorized and sold, principal and interest on the bonds will be payable only 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 Elections Code of the State of California. Such information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience within the District, and other demonstrable factors. Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, the following information is provided:

1. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on a projection of assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.044 per $100 of assessed valuation (or $44 per $100,000 of assessed value) for fiscal year 2017-18.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on a projection of assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.044 per $100 of assessed valuation (or $44 per $100,000 of assessed value) for fiscal year 2020-21.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on a projection of assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.044 per $100 of assessed valuation (or $44 per $100,000 of assessed value), which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain outstanding.

4. 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 approximately $550,000,000.

Voters should note the estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the (Continued on next page)
PR-004947-11 LA 310-084
TAX RATE STATEMENT - MEASURE Y (Continued) District. The actual debt service, the 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 date of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on the need for project 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 sale. Actual future assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

STEVE KESSLER
Superintendent
Beverly Hills Unified School District