Windsor Unified Schools: Vote Yes on Measure F Bonds - Sonoma County - 2016 General Election
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Why didn't Windsor Unified tell you specifically what it will do with the $62,000,000 in Measure F?

We Could Really Use Your Help!

Real Grassroots Against Measure F

Visit our web page.

Send us a message.

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

  Commentary    Question  

Commentary on Measure F

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

This campaign was designed by Isom Advisors. 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  

Measure F Question

Sonoma County 49-513 9340

VOTER'S PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

WINDSOR UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

MEASURE F

F

To improve the quality of education at Windsor schools by providing 21st Century classrooms, upgrading libraries and science labs, improving classroom technology, updating safety and security, renovating and modernizing older schools, repairing and replacing roofs, adding classrooms, building a new elementary school to avoid overcrowding, and acquiring, constructing and renovating school facilities shall the

Windsor Unified School District issue $62 million in bonds at legal interest rates with an Independent Oversight Committee and no funds for administrators?

COUNTY COUNSEL'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE F

The California Constitution allows school districts to borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for construction, repair, replacement, and acquisition of school facilities if 55 percent of the voters who vote on the measure approve the sale of the bonds.

The Windsor Unified School District Board of Trustees has called for an election and placed on the ballot the question of whether to issue bonds in the amount of

$62 million for such purposes.

Money raised by bond sales can only be used for the purposes and projects stated in the Bond Project List set forth in Measure F, which follows this analysis. Projects include, but are not limited to: modernizing and repairing existing classrooms; building new classrooms; upgrading science / computer labs and libraries; improving school energy efficiency; upgrading campus safety / security systems; upgrading playgrounds, athletic fields and facilities for school and community use; removing hazardous materials; and improving student access to computers and technology. As required by state law, Measure F prohibits using bond proceeds for teacher or administrator salaries or other operating expenses.

The inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List does not guarantee that the project will be funded or completed. Measure F states that the District's capital needs may exceed the amount of the proposed bonds, and the District will seek funds from other sources to advance the Bond Project List as far as possible. The

Board of Trustees will establish the priority and order in which projects will be completed.

If Measure F is adopted, the Board of Trustees will conduct annual, independent financial and performance audits to ensure that bond proceeds have been expended only on the projects on the Bond Project List. An Independent Citizens'

Oversight Committee will also be established within sixty days of the entry of the election results on the Board's minutes. The proceeds of the bonds will be maintained in a separate account in the County Treasury, and District's Superintendent must provide an annual report to the Board on the status of projects undertaken and the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in each year. These requirements are set out as "Accountability Safeguards" in Measure F.

If Measure F is approved, Windsor Unified School District has the discretion to decide when to sell all or any portion of the bonds. The bonds may be issued and sold in series, at different times, as projects are undertaken. The bonds of any series must mature within 40 years of the date they are issued. The funds to repay the bonds would be raised by an increase in property taxes based upon the value of land and improvements in the District. The interest rate on the bonds would depend on the market rate at the time the bonds are sold, but cannot exceed the rate set by state law. The Tax Rate Statement prepared by District's Superintendent, which follows this analysis, estimates the property tax levies required to pay off the bonds. The estimated tax levies are a projection, and could go up or down, depending on a number of factors including the timing and amount of bond sales, and changes in assessed value of property in the District.

BRUCE D. GOLDSTEIN

County Counsel

By: s/ Robert Pittman

Chief Deputy County Counsel

TAX RATE STATEMENT — MEASURE F

An election will be held in the Windsor Unified School District (the "District") on

November 8, 2016 to authorize the sale of up to $62,000,000 in general obligation bonds. The following information is submitted in compliance with Sections

9400-9404 of the California Elections Code.

1. 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 $.04900 per

$100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18.

2. 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 $.04900 per

$100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2022-23.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is $.04900 per $100 ($49.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. This vote is projected to apply in each fiscal year that the bonds are outstanding.

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 $125,000,000.

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: 7/19/16

s/ Steve Jorgensen

Superintendent

Windsor Unified School District

VOTER'S PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

Sonoma County 49-514 9350

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE F

A Yes Vote on Measure F will provide 21st Century classrooms and schools for all students in the Windsor Unified School District. Measure F funds will be used to renovate and modernize the District's older schools, upgrade libraries, science and computer labs, and build a new elementary school to accommodate student enrollment.

In addition, bond funds will be used to improve and upgrade school safety and security throughout the District.

In a rapidly growing community with high standards for educational performance, classrooms in our older schools need to provide the same 21st century opportunities as our newer schools. We need to provide all students with classrooms and facilities that are equitable. At the same time, we must prepare to build a new school to accommodate student enrollment.

All of the funds will be monitored by a Citizens' Oversight Committee. The committee must include, a senior citizen, a local business person, an active parent and a representative of a taxpayers' organization. No employee, vendor, contractor or consultant of the District may serve on the committee.

The District must also conduct annual, independent performance audits to ensure that bond proceeds are only spent on specific local school facility projects. By law, no funds can be spent on administrator or teacher salaries.

Passage of Measure F will help the District pay for necessary repairs and upgrades keeping our schools safe and well-maintained and leaving more money to retain quality academic programs.

Quality school buildings and classrooms protect and enhance our property values and support our students. Measure F's investment in our schools is the best way to protect and preserve our property values, spur economic development and create local jobs. We owe this and future generations of students the best schools we can provide.

Please Vote Yes on Measure F.

s/ Bruce Okrepkie

s/ Lee-Ann Peoples

Councilmember; Town of Windsor President, Windsor Booster Club

s/ Katy Dillwood

s/ Henry Rodriguez

Past Trustee; WUSD Parent: CaliCalmecac Language Academy

s/ Stephen Lehmann

President; Windsor Historical Society

NO ARGUMENT WAS SUBMITTED AGAINST MEASURE F

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE F

EXHIBIT A

This proposition may be known and referred to as the Windsor Unified

School District General Obligation Bond of 2016, or Measure __.

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Windsor Unified School District (the "District") shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $62 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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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.

VOTER'S PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

Sonoma County 49-515 9350

CONT. NEXT PAGE

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE F, CONT.

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 Town of

Windsor, County of Sonoma, 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 Trustees 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 projects the Windsor

Unified 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

Trustees 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.

Bond funds will be used to upgrade classrooms and computer networks to provide all students with 21st Century schools and classrooms. These classrooms enhance the learning experience by developing skills that will better prepare students for higher education and careers.

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 Trustees.

The Bond Project List shown below is a part of the ballot proposition and must be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Windsor Unified School District will use bond funds to renovate and modernize the District's older schools, upgrade libraries, science and computer labs, and purchase land and build a new elementary school to accommodate increasing enrollment. In addition, bond funds will be used to improve and upgrade school safety and security throughout the District.

School bond funds may also be used to change the use of the Windsor

Creek Elementary School. A new school could accommodate students currently slated to attend Windsor Creek. The Windsor Creek site is heavily impacted by traffic and the site may better serve the District and the community as a home for a

District Office and other programs.

Bond funds will also be used in combination with any other received State matching funds or developer fees. The Windsor Unified School District will use bond funds for the following school facility improvement projects. All schools listed below will receive bond funds:

The schools in the District include:

 Windsor High School
 Windsor Middle School
 Brooks Elementary School
 Cali Calmecac Language Academy
 Mattie Washburn Elementary School
 Windsor Creek Elementary School
 Windsor Oaks Academy

School Bond Renovation and Modernization Projects include:

 Upgrade science labs, computer labs and libraries
 Modernize and renovate older classrooms and replace aging portable classrooms
 Repair or replace leaky roofs
 Improve student access to computers and technology
 Upgrade playgrounds, athletic fields and facilities for school and community use
 Modernize heating, plumbing and ventilation systems to maximize energy efficiency
 Improve and upgrade school safety and security systems
 Repair, upgrade and add restrooms
 Resurface and paving parking lots and access ways
 Repurpose District facilities to increase efficiency and improve traffic congestion
 Upgrade athletic facilities and locker rooms
 Add bleachers and restrooms at Windsor High School stadium
 Install shade coverings and expand eating areas for students
 Build a new library at Brooks Elementary
 Build new classrooms to accommodate increasing student enrollment
 Purchase land and build a new elementary school to avoid overcrowding

Other School District Projects

 Remove hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead, etc., where necessary
 Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization
(such as plumbing or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic, structural, etc.)
 Other improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the Americans with

Disabilities Act

 Necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of re-locatable classrooms, including removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines (such as gas lines, water lines, electrical lines, sewer lines, and communication lines), trees and landscaping
 Rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis, as needed to accommodate construction materials, equipment, and personnel, and interim classrooms (including re-locatable classrooms) for students and school functions or other storage for classroom materials displaced during construction
 All work necessary and incidental to specific projects described above, including demolition of existing structures
 Paint the interior and exterior of buildings
 Repair and replace damaged and uneven paving and concrete
 Provide classroom furniture and equipment as needed

VOTER'S PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

Sonoma County 49-516 9350

CONT. NEXT PAGE

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE F, CONT.

The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program/project management, staff training expenses 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 obligations 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 updates, 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 buildings 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 staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental 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.

  Commentary    Question  

 


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