646 / 65.1% Yes votes ...... 347 / 34.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Education Code section 15100 authorizes a school district to issue bonds for specified purposes. However, the voters must first approve the issuance of the bonds at an election. Education Code section 15266 provides the measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote for the measure, provided that certain accountability requirements are included in the measure.

This measure would authorize the Brisbane School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $11 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in no more than 40 years.

The Board of Trustees has listed the specified purposes of the bonds to be for the repair, renovation, furnishing, and modernization of the three school facilities to ensure student health and safety and to accommodate expected enrollment growth.

In the Bond Project List, which is part of the bond measure, the Trustees have listed specific projects for each individual school site as well as projects that will be performed at every school site.

The Bond Project List is contained in this sample ballot. In addition, the bond funds will be used to fund the local match for up to $1.5 million in State grants.

The measure requires the Brisbane School District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the sale of the bonds as set forth in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution and Education Code sections 15264 et seq. The District Board must appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize Brisbane School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $11 million to: repair, renovate, furnish, and modernize the three school facilities as set forth on the Bond Project List and to fund the local match for State grants.

A "no" vote would prevent Brisbane School District from issuing bonds of up to $11 million.

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

Passing a bond to improve our school facilities will be good for our children and our community!

Our schools have been well-maintained and are attractive places for children, as well as centers of pride and identity for our citizens.

However, after many decades of good service, the buildings require modernization and repairs that are beyond the scope of current local funding. The bond will allow the district to:

• Replace substandard walls, roofing, flooring, and interior furnishings
• Update plumbing, electrical, and fire alarm systems
• Add needed classroom space
• Make existing classrooms cleaner, quieter, and more energy-efficient
• Upgrade student computers
• Repair paving
• Provide full access to all children as required by law

Additionally, as property owners, our business community will participate in the support of our schools.

By law, the use of bond proceeds is strictly limited to repairs and upgrades.

A Citizens Oversight Committee will review all plans to assure that all expenditures conform to the ballot description.

The bond will allow us to continue to provide a safe, comfortable and inviting environment for our students, teachers and staff. It will ensure that attractive, well-maintained schools remain an asset to our community well into the future.

We urge you to vote "Yes" on Measure C!!

s/ Diane Crampton August 14, 2003 Member, Brisbane School District

s/ Robert Dettmer August 14, 2003 Member, Brisbane School District

s/ Christine Evers August 14, 2003 Member, Brisbane School District

s/ Tom Ledda August 14, 2003 Member, Brisbane School District

s/ Mitchell Yee August 14, 2003 Member, Brisbane School District

School Districts around the State have squandered tax dollars on Class size reduction, which has been used as an emotional plea to increase funding for education. Of course it's nice to have more teacher student contact! That's why many parents choose to have their children tutored at home. And, they do this in spite of the enormous tax burden placed upon them to support government schools, which consume more than $10,000/year per student in K-12.

Class size reduction was a convenient way to fill the overbuilt facilities which were predicated on predictions of enrollment growth which failed to materialize.

At a time when the State's bond rating is in the tank , school districts should exercise fiscal restraint.

The Brisbane School District speaks of matching State grants of up to $1.5 Million. Is that a responsible position to take in our current economic situation? I think not!

Don't let this Bond Measure slip by, to place indebtedness on your children and grandchildren, with the new 55% vote requirement.

Vote NO on fiscal irresponsibility

Vote NO on Measure C

/s/ John J. "Jack" Hickey August 15, 2003 Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

An election will be held in the Brisbane School District (the "District") on November 4, 2003, to authorize the sale of up to $11,000,000 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 2 series. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable 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.

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 three cents per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2004-05.

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 three cents per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.

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 three cents per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation.

The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year. Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property 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.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. 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 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/ Stephen J. Waterman August 1, 2003 Superintendent, Brisbane School District

Modernization/refurbishment approved within state guidelines, including:

SITEWORK

• Asphalt overlay and surface drainage improvements for playgrounds, parking areas, driveways
• Upgrade/replace sewer lines
• Upgrade/replace water supply system, fixtures
• Upgrade/replace gas lines, including seismic safety valves
• Install/remove/replace landscaping, turf, flagpole, benches, fencing, covered walkways, etc.

• Exterior finishing
• Replace window frames and glass
• Repair and replace roofing and gutters

• Remove asbestos
• Acquire and install new floor coverings
• Replace, install window coverings & other furnishings
• Replace, install markerboards
• Retrofit and/or replace light fixtures
• Repair or replace acoustical ceilings
• Acquire and upgrade student furniture, computers, classroom educational equipment
• Install computers and computer network wiring, switches and equipment
• Renovate, repair or replace heating system

• Install, upgrade fire safety, security, clocks and telecommunications system
• Upgrade electrical power system, including transformers and wiring, install outlets
• Install, replace exterior lighting for safety and security
• Repair or replace doors & hardware

• Upgrades to meet accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Acquire and install accessible fixtures, including:
• Cabinetry (ADA)
• Drinking Fountains (ADA)
• Toilet Rooms (ADA)
• Wheelchair Lifts (ADA)
• Handicap Parking (ADA)
• Handicap Ramps (ADA)
• Playground Equipment (ADA)

ALL SCHOOL SITES (at which Renovation or Major Repairs to be Completed)

• Address unforeseen structural conditions revealed by modernization repairs and refurbishment work (e.g., plumbing or gas line breaks, dry-rot, seismic, structural, etc.)
• Necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the school site
• Construct or acquire and install storage facilities
• Rental or construction of temporary classrooms (including relocatables) as needed to house students displaced during construction
• Acquire any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities.

The District's proposal for the project or projects assumes the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure."

Section 2. Specifications of Election Order: Pursuant to Education Code Sections 5304, 5322, 15100 et seq., and 15266, a special election shall be held within the boundaries of the Brisbane School District on November 4, 2003, for the purpose of submitting to the registered voters of the District the following proposition:

BRISBANE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BOND OF 2003 This Proposition may be known and referred to as the "Brisbane School Improvement Bond of 2003" or as "Measure C".

FINDINGS In order to maintain our schools as effective places for teaching and learning, now and for the next generation, the Brisbane School District is committed to providing all students with safe, well maintained and modern schools.

All of the Brisbane School District's schools are more than 30 years old. The oldest school, Brisbane Elementary, has been serving the community's children for nearly 70 years.

Although the District has carefully managed its locally available funds over the past decade, and has been able to put on new roofs at two schools, paint the schools, replace many windows, and perform other maintenance, major renovation and repair work is now needed to bring each of the three school campuses to current safety and instructional standards.

The District's Board of Trustees has prepared a facilities plan and identified the repair and rehabilitation needs at each campus. The District has received and continues to seek all available outside sources of funding for these purposes, including local, state, and federal grants and matching funds, but these sources will not meet the identified needs.

In addition, to receive new State grants, the District must provide matching local funds.

After carefully reviewing the situation, the Board has found it is necessary to seek voter approval for a bond measure to provide the local funding share of identified facility repair and modernization projects. Without a local bond, the District will lose State funding to other school districts, and local children will not get needed improvements.

BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Brisbane School District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $11,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, 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.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the Brisbane School District's voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Brisbane School 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 has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the Brisbane School District at each campus and facility, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

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 expended only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees.

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 Exhibit A.

Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

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 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 Director-Fiscal Services of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2004, 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 the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the Brisbane School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed at a particular school site. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, inspection and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The actual cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

• Upgrades to meet accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Acquire and install accessible fixtures, including:
• Cabinets (ADA)
• Drinking Fountains (ADA)
• Toilet Rooms (ADA)
• Wheelchair Lifts (ADA)
• Handicap Ramps (ADA)

• Reimburse District's Special Reserve Fund for up to $350,000 of expenses incurred prior to the election for construction of new classroom wing

SITEWORK

• Asphalt surface and drainage improvements to playground
• Upgrade/replace sewer lines
• Upgrade/replace water supply system, fixtures
• Upgrade/replace gas lines, including seismic safety valves
• Install/remove/replace landscaping, turf, flagpole, benches, fencing, covered walkways, etc.

• Exterior finishing
• Replace/replace window wall
• Repair and replace roofing and gutters

• Remove asbestos
• Acquire and install new floor coverings
• Replace, install window coverings & other furnishings
• Replace, install markerboards
• Retrofit and/or replace light fixtures
• Repair or replace acoustical ceilings
• Acquire and upgrade student furniture, computers, classroom educational equipment
• Install computers and computer network wiring, switches and equipment
• Renovate, repair or replace heating system

• Install, upgrade fire safety, security, clocks and telecommunications system
• Upgrade electrical power system, including transformers and wiring, install outlets
• Install, replace exterior lighting for safety and security
• Repair or replace doors & hardware

• Upgrades to meet accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Acquire and install accessible fixtures, including:
• Cabinetry (ADA)
• Drinking Fountains (ADA)
• Toilet Rooms (ADA)
• Handicap Ramps (ADA) are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore the Board of Trustees cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

EXHIBIT A

BRISBANE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROJECT LIST

LIPMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL One Solano Street, Brisbane Modernization/refurbishment approved within state guidelines, including:

SITEWORK

• Asphalt surface and drainage improvements to playground, parking areas, driveways
• Upgrade/replace sewer lines
• Upgrade/replace water supply system, fixtures
• Upgrade/replace gas lines, including seismic safety valves
• Remove aging relocatable classrooms (portables)
• Install/remove/replace landscaping, turf, flagpole, benches, fencing, covered walkways, etc.
• Acquire and install power co-generation equipment
• Construct covered lunch shelter

• Exterior finishing
• Replace window frames and glass
• Repair/replace window wall

• Remove asbestos
• Acquire and install new floor coverings
• Replace or install window coverings, curtains, & other furnishings
• Replace or install markerboards
• Retrofit and/or replace light fixtures
• Repair or replace acoustical ceilings
• Acquire and upgrade student furniture, computers, classroom educational equipment
• Acquire & install computers and computer network wiring, switches and equipment
• Renovate, repair or replace heating system

• Install, upgrade fire safety, security, clocks and telecommunications system
• Upgrade electrical power system, including transformers and wiring, install outlets
• Install, replace exterior lighting for safety and security