Burlingame Elementary Schools: Vote Yes on Measure M Bonds - San Mateo County - 2016 General Election
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Why didn't Burlingame Elementary tell you specifically what it will do with the $56,000,000 in Measure M?

We Could Really Use Your Help!

Real Grassroots Against Measure M

Visit our web page.

Send us a message.

Give us a call (or send a text) 909-378-5401.

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Commentary on Measure M

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, it to see the commentary.

  Commentary    Question    Analysis    Argument in Favor    Argument Against    Full Text    Tax Rate  

Measure M Question

1Burlingame Elementary School DistrictSM-9002

Measure M

To update schools and provide access for students with disabilities, remove lead paint/ asbestos, , update classrooms, libraries, labs/ facilities to meet current earthquake, fire/ safety codes, replace old portable classrooms, upgrade science labs, shall Burlingame Elementary School District issue $56,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, that cannot be taken by the State, to renovate, construct/ acquire local neighborhood schools, sites, equipment/ facilities, with independent audits, citizens' oversight, no money for administrators, all money staying local?

  Commentary    Question    Analysis    Argument in Favor    Argument Against    Full Text    Tax Rate  

Impartial Analysis for Measure M

Impartial Analysis of Measure M

The California Constitution and Education Code authorize a school district to issue bonds for specified purposes if voters approve the issuance of the bonds at an election. Pursuant to Education Code Section 15274, such a bond measure passes if 55% of those voting on it approve it.

The Board of Trustees of the Burlingame Elementary School District (the "District") proposes this measure, which would authorize the District to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $56 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will be repaid within the time permitted by law. The Tax Rate Statement printed in this pamphlet contains the District's best estimates of tax rates required to service the bond debt during the life of the bonds. The District's best estimate of the average annual tax rate levy to fund this bond is $22.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. This means that a property assessed at $700,000 would likely have an annual tax obligation of $154.00 under this measure. The District estimates that the total amount repayable during the life of the bond, including principal and interest, is approximately $103 million.

The California Constitution requires the listing of specific school facilities projects to be funded from the bond revenue and certification that the District governing board has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in the development of that list. The District's list of projects covered by the bond is attached to the full text of the measure. Listed improvements include: upgrading classrooms to improve access for students with disabilities; removing toxic substances; repairing roofs; upgrading classrooms, libraries, and educational facilities to meet current safety codes; repairing outdated building engineering systems; bringing all classrooms to the same safety standards; bringing libraries to the same standard; ensuring hands-on science, technology, and engineering labs are up to modern standards at Burlingame Intermediate School; and creating single points of entry for all schools to improve safety and security. The measure authorizes equipment acquisition, upgrades, repairs, services, construction, and other items related to these listed projects. Projects are authorized at all District locations. The project list should be reviewed for further details. No funds from this tax shall be used for administrator salaries or administration.

State law requires the District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the bonds. Accordingly, the District will direct the funds to be deposited into a special account, appoint an independent citizens' oversight committee, conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to ensure that funds are spent only on the listed improvements and for no other purposes, and prepare annual reports listing the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any funded project.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize the District to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $56 million for the purposes listed in the project list.

A "no" vote would prevent the District from issuing the bonds.

This measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

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Argument in Favor of Measure M

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4Arguments in support of or in opposition to the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.
Burlingame Elementary School DistrictSM-9002

Argument in Favor of Measure M

Vote Yes on Measure M to repair aging classrooms and labs so that Burlingame students are prepared to excel in the modern world.

Burlingame School District provides an exceptional education for local elementary and middle school students, yet outdated schools – some of which are over 100 years old – are in serious need of repair.

Measure M provides dedicated, locally controlled funding to support a safe and modern learning environment for local students. Voting Yes on M will replace deteriorating classrooms and old portables so that teachers can focus on providing students with excellent instruction in core academics like math, science, reading and writing.

We need Measure M to prepare our students for success in high school, college and beyond. Updated computers and classroom technology will ensure our students take the next step ready to compete for high-demand jobs in science, technology and engineering.

Yes on M – Necessary Repairs for Modern Burlingame Schools

  • Repair classrooms to provide access for students with disabilities
  • Fix leaking roofs and remove lead and asbestos where found
  • Update classrooms, libraries and educational facilities to meet current earthquake, fire and safety codes
  • Protect student safety and security by creating single point entries at all schools
  • Ensure hands-on science, technology and engineering labs are up to the same 21st-century standards

Stays Here in Burlingame

  • All money raised will be controlled locally to support local elementary and middle schools and cannot be taken away by the State
  • and annual audits are required

While some of our schools have been renovated recently, others have not, and all local students deserve equal access to safe and up to date classrooms.

Join us in voting Yes on M – modern Burlingame schools equipped for 21st-century student success.

/s/ Michael Barber, CPA (inactive) August 5, 2016
BSD Citizens' Oversight Committee

/s/ Alisa Ruiz-Johnson August 8, 2016
Burlingame Realtor

/s/ Lawrence Coskey, M.D. August 11, 2016
Burlingame Business Owner

/s/ Lisa Rosenthal August 12, 2016
36 Year Burlingame Resident

/s/ Lori Potter August 16, 2016
Burlingame PTA Council President

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Argument Against Measure M

No Argument Against Measure M Submitted

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Full Text of Measure M

Full Text

EXHIBIT B

FULL TEXT BALLOT PROPOSITION
OF THE BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND MEASURE ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 2016

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Burlingame Elementary School District.

"To update schools and provide access for students with disabilities, remove lead paint/ asbestos, fix leaky roofs, update classrooms, libraries, labs/ facilities to meet current earthquake, fire/ safety codes, replace old portable classrooms, upgrade science labs, shall Burlingame Elementary School District issue $56,000,000 in bonds, at legal rates, that cannot be taken by the State, acquire local neighborhood schools, sites, equipment and facilities, with independent audits, citizens' oversight, no money for administrators, all money staying local?"

PROJECT LIST

The Board of Trustees of the Burlingame Elementary School District is committed to maintaining the quality of education in local schools with safe, secure, upgraded classrooms and science labs to ensure student safety in an updated learning environment. To that end, the Board evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size reduction, computer and information technology in developing the scope of projects to be funded. 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. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Trustees determines that the District must:

  1. (i) Replace old portable deteriorating classrooms with new permanent classrooms; and
  2. (ii) Provide students with classrooms, computers, and technology that will best prepare our students to go on to high school and college; and
  3. (iii) Protect the quality of academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading and writing; and
  4. (iv) Modernize science and technology labs to prepare students for jobs in science, technology and engineering; and
  5. (v) Adhere to clear system of accountability, such as:
    1. (a) All expenditures must be subject to annual independent financial audits.
    2. (b) An independent citizens' oversight committee must be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent properly.

The Project List includes the following at District schools and sites:

DEDICATED LOCAL SCHOOL FUNDING FOR NECESSARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS

Goals and Purposes: Since many of our schools were built more than 50-years ago and some more than 100 years, they need to be upgraded. This measure will replace old portable and deteriorating classrooms with new classrooms to ensure student safety in an updated learning environment.

  • Upgrade classrooms to provide access for students with disabilities.
  • Remove lead and asbestos, where found.
  • Fix leaky roofs.
  • Update classrooms, libraries and educational facilities to meet current earthquake, fire and safety codes.
  • Replace outdated electrical, plumbing and heating and ventilation systems.

SAFETY AND STUDENT SUCCESS

Goal and Purpose: If we want our students to succeed in high school, college and careers, they must be skilled in the use of today's technologies and have a solid background in science, math, reading, writing and technology. This measure will make this possible.

  • Bring all classrooms up to the same safety standards.
  • Bring all school libraries up to the same standard.
  • Ensure hands-on science, technology and engineering labs are all up to the same 21st Century standards at Burlingame Intermediate School.
  • Create single point of entries to schools to improve student safety and security.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY

This bond measure has strict accountability requirements including:

1. All money will benefit local schools and CANNOT BE TAKEN BY THE STATE.

2. NO MONEY can be used for ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES or administration

3. Require CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT and yearly reports to the community to keep the District accountable for how the funds are spent.

4. 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 or administrator salaries, pensions and other operating expenses.

5. FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. 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.

***

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2Burlingame Elementary School DistrictSM-9002

The listed projects will be completed . is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program/project management, and a customary contingency 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 and from the Project List; , 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 school facilities may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovate, expand or construct student and staff restrooms; installation of signage and fencing; upgrade libraries and library media centers for 21st Century learning, repair and replace heating, cooling and ventilation systems; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies; repair and replace worn-out and deteriorated roofs, windows, floors, walls, doors and drinking fountains; improve school facilities for disability access; install shade structures, wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; upgrade or construct classrooms, labs, support facilities (including administrative, non-student instruction spaces and District office), physical education (including gyms, bleachers, locker rooms, offices, storage, mat rooms, gym floors and playground equipment), and central and site kitchens; repair and replace gas, water and sewer systems and lines, fire alarms, phone systems, emergency communications, security systems, doors and locks; resurface or replace hard courts, asphalt, turf and irrigation systems and campus landscaping; expand or modify parking lots and drop-off areas; ; interior and exterior painting and floor covering; demolition; construct various forms of storage and support spaces and classrooms; repair, upgrade and install interior and exterior lighting systems; construct or improve playgrounds, turf, athletic fields and play apparatus; install unitary surfacing in existing playgrounds; and replace outdated door hardware, security fences and security cameras (including access control systems). The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, classroom instructional technology, 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, refresh classroom technology, infrastructure upgrades and other miscellaneous equipment. 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 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. when performing work on or to bond projects. 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.

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.

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Measure M Tax Rate Statement

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3Burlingame Elementary School DistrictSM-9002

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held in the Burlingame Elementary School District (the "District") on November 8, 2016, to authorize the sale of up to $56,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in two series over time. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The information presented in numbered paragraphs 1-3 below is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

1. The best estimate of the tax 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.0220 per $100 ($22.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.0220 per $100 ($22.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2018-2019.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.0220 per $100 ($22.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year.

4. 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 $102,571,000.

The District's best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over all of the years the bonds will be outstanding is $22.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property in the District as shown on the 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.

The foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only. 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 its need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. 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 County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

/s/ Dr. Maggie MacIsaac August 2, 2016
Superintendent

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