League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Contra Costa County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Measure J School Facilities Improvement Bonds Antioch Unified School District School Facilities Improvement District 1 55% Approval Required Fail: 4722 / 54.53% Yes votes ...... 3937 / 45.47% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure J

Arguments Against Measure J

Built in 1954, Antioch High School has served many generations of students. But the campus is worn out and needs to be renovated and modernized to meet the needs of students today and in the future. A Yes Vote on Measure J will: Increase campus safety and security through improved campus layout and video surveillance Renovate classrooms to better support college and career readiness for all students Build a new, larger cafeteria to accommodate all students during inclement weather Construct a new library including a college and career center Upgrade heating, electrical, and plumbing systems to improve efficiency Improve student access to computers and instructional technology Renovate outdated non-regulation athletic facilities Antioch High School has a great history. But the classrooms and athletic facilities serving today's students need modernization. We cannot expect our students and our teachers to meet modern standards in buildings and classrooms that are not up-to-date. A quality educational facility in the 215t Century demands more. Measure J is an investment in our local community. Improvements to the high school will benefit all property owners in Antioch. A renovated high school will reinvigorate an area of town much like what has been done in many of our surrounding communities. Antioch High School is the last high school built in the 1950s in Contra Costa County that has not seen major renovations. Our track and pool cannot host league events--our students must always compete as the road team. The school cafeteria is too small and cannot accommodate all students. On cold and rainy days, students must eat lunch in hallways or the auditorium. Our students deserve better. Please join us and vote to support Antioch High School. Vote Yes on Measure J. John Slatten, Business Owner James R. Lanter, Community Activist, Rotarian-Local Business Owner Mary Helen Rocha, City Councilmember Mickie Angelo Marchetti, Antioch High School Alumni Gloria Martin, Antioch High Alumni 1955, City Community Volunteer Rebuttal to Arguments For The Grinch didn't come, nothing to steal! The Easter Bunny can't afford the gas! The Tooth Fairy left an IOU! Antioch families wish they could provide lunches for their children, and a roof over their heads! Families are crowding in together like never before, in order to be able to survive! But, the AUSD continues to want more money from Senior Citizens and struggling families! Vote NO! Since 2008 Antioch's property owners have already been paying for the schools' upgrades! This Measure's tax is merely "estimated" and not guaranteed to not increase! Your yearly taxes undoubtedly will increase, without your additional approval. Very sneaky! The Antioch Unified School District's Boards, and their supporters, have had over 55 years to have budgeted for, done the modernizations and expansions, etc., but refused to do so! Instead they continually handed out increased pensions, wages and benefits! The Students' facility, comforts, and their education has really been a much lower priority! But to take more of your money they'll gladly front them. What self-serving hypocrites! Vote NO! The State won't allocate more money to Districts who further tax themselves. They'll send it elsewhere. You pay more, then get less! What did the District do with the $1.5 million for the AHS swimming pool's improvements? What about the estimated $20 million remaining from the approved 2008 bond Measure? Nevertheless the AUSD's $150 million annual budget can afford to upgrade the schools without any additional taxes! If the majority vote "NO" then they can't take your money! Citizens for Democracy Ralph A. Hernandez, Chairperson and former Antioch City Council Member

Again! About 50% of our State's Budget already funds schools, yet they want more! How dare them take from us, again! What're they doing with the 2008 bond's tax monies, which they're still collecting, and still have about $20,000,000.00 left to spend? And, where's the recent State grant monies given the District? We just don't have it. Renters will pay higher rents also. We're already taxed enough, and taxes and tees continue to go up! As our property values increase our taxes will increase, as this one would also! We can barely maintain a roof over our heads or food on our tables. Together or separately it'll impact you as time goes on since there is no real cap. We're tapped out. Vote NO. It's always "about the kids." Well, we would like to be able to house, feed and clothe our kids! We need what little money we're left with to support our families and pay our bills. Leave us the heck alone! Our School District extends beyond our City limits, in some cases involving further increased residential developments. Our District's Board refuses to take a stand against further unneeded developments that impacts us, but yet within the District's area of responsibility! Vote NO. These Bonds will be additional debt liens against your properties. it'll be another Mello Roos type fiasco! They already have enough money, with a $150,000,000.00+ yearly budget! They want even more! We need better fiscal management, not more Taxes! Their own Budget decisions stripped legally required facilities' maintenance monies, they've instead used those monies elsewhere (doubtless for increased pensions, wages, and benefits - which they're trying to do again). They already receive enough money for what they now want us to additionally tax ourselves for! We're Taxed too much! They really don't care! Vote "NO" Citizens for Democracy Ralph A. Hernandez, Chairperson and former Antioch City Council Member Norma A. Hernandez, CFD's Senior Citizens' Representative and former Antioch City Council Member Rebuttal to Arguments Against We've heard all this before. The argument offered by the opponents of Measure J is again designed to confuse and miss-inform. The facts about Measure J are very clear: Every Yes vote is a vote to address critical renovation and modernization needs at Antioch High School. Every Yes vote will allow classrooms and buildings that have served our community for more than 50 years to be renovated. Every Yes vote will benefit this and future generations of Antioch students. A Yes Vote on Measure J is about our community. It's about all the students who have passed through the doors of Antioch High School since 1954 and it's about all the future generations who will graduate from our high school. As graduates, we are proud of Antioch High School but the classrooms and the buildings are showing their age. After 58 years of service, they need to be modernized. Just like an old house, our school needs to be upgraded and prepared for the 21s' century. On one thing we can agree, investing in our schools is the best way to protect and preserve our property values. We owe this and future generations the best schools we can provide. We cannot rely on Sacramento as there is no state funding available for these critical renovations. We must provide our schools with a reliable, local source of funds to renovate and modernize Antioch High School. There are no other funds available to accomplish this task. Please Vote Yes on Measure J. Martha Parsons, Antioch High School Proud Class of 1965 - former City Council Member David Sanderson, Antioch High School Proud Class of 1969 - Retired Deputy Director,Recreation City of Antioch Kay Marie Power, Antioch High School Proud Class of 1962, Chairperson Measure C Bond Oversight Committee Trine R. Gallegos, Antioch High School, Proud Class of 1979 Louis J. Rocha, Principal of Antioch High School - Proud Class of 1979

Tax Rate Statement from the Superintendent of Antioch Unified School District

An election will be held in the Antioch Unified School District School Facilities Improvement District No. 1 (the "SFID") on June 5, 2012, to authorize the sale of up to $59,500,000 in bonds of the SFID to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the SFID plans to issue the bonds in 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 SFID. 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. Based upon the foregoing and projections of the SFID's assessed valuation, and assuming the entire debt service will be amortized through property taxation: 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 estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 5.20 cents per 100 ($52.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in the fiscal year 2012-13. 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 5.20 cents per 100 ($52.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in the fiscal year 2018-19. 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 5.20 cents per 100 ($52.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in the fiscal year 2012-13. The tax rate estimates in this statement reflect the District's current projection of future assessed values within the SFID and of future debt service payments, which are based on certain assumptions. Approval of the ballot measure authorizes the issuance of bonds under certain conditions and for certain purposes, and is not approval of a specific tax rate or a specific plan of bond issuance. 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 and repayment structure of bonds sold, 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 and repayment structure of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the SFID based on its need for construction funds, its desire to meet the tax rate targets stated above, the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote, and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on bond market conditions at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the SFID as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process. Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property in the SFID 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. Donald Gill, Ed .D., Superintendent Antioch Unified School District

Full Text of Measure J

As required by the California Constitution, the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will 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. The specific school facility projects to be funded are as follows: Antioch Unified School Facilities Improvement District No. I Project List Antioch High School, 700W. 18th Street, Antioch, CA Built 1954 The Antioch Unified School District will use bond funds to renovate and modernize Antioch High School. The district will renovate and redesign classrooms to support small learning communities and career based learning academies, replace portable classrooms, upgrade and replace inefficient electrical, heating and plumbing systems, repair or replace athletic facilities, update safety and technology systems, perform seismic upgrades, and replace or renovate the cafeteria, administration facilities and library. Bond funds will allow the district to renovate and reconfigure existing facilities to better serve the needs of the students. Antioch High School Build new permanent classrooms and/or modernize existing classrooms, inclusive of all building and classroom systems, including math, science and computer labs. Upgrade the high school electrical systems in order to improve student access to computers and technology. Expand and upgrade vocational and career technology classrooms. Renovate support facilities and administrative offices Upgrade electrical, heating, plumbing and ventilation systems and perform seismic upgrades Acquire classroom furniture including new classrooms desks, chairs and tables and needed hardware systems Build a new cafeteria. Build a new administration facility and library. Antioch Middle School Modernization and Conversion from grades 6-8 to K-8 Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support grade level needs. Park Middle School Modernization and Grade Changes Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support grade level needs. Belshaw, Kimball, Marsh, Mission, Sutter and Turner and Muir Elementary School Modernization and Grade Changes Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support grade level needs. Fremont Elementary School Modernization and Repurpose - Expansion of Educational Programs Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas, including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support grade level needs, to facilitate location and program changes and expansion for the Opportunity Program and Prospects and Live Oak High Schools. Bridges Program Modernization and Expansion - Move to School Services Building Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support grade level needs. (Implementation of this program modernization change will require the School Service Building Departments to move from its present site on G Street.) School Services Building Modernization and Move to allow expansion of Bridges program Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support administrative needs. (Expansion of the Bridges Program will require the School Services Building Departments to move to Prospects High School, Maintenance, Operations and Transportation, and other District sites to maximize effective use of space.) Live Oak High School Modernization and Conversion to a Distance Learning Center Build, reconfigure, repair and modernize classrooms and administration areas including electrical, landscaping, flatwork, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, communications, safety and technology, seismic upgrades and furniture and equipment to allow for maximum use of the sites to support grade level needs. (The Live Oak High School Modernization and Conversion Project will allow expansion of the Encore Program (homes school), online and distance learning opportunities.) Other Projects Remove hazardous materials, e.g. asbestos, lead, etc. that may be encountered during the course of construction. Modernize, and if needed, redesign or construct and install new classrooms and buildings to meet District need for administration, program, and grade configuration changes, inclusive of all building construction, furniture and equipment and systems upgrades and/or installations. Implement small learning communities and career based academies at District schools. Acquire and install energy-saving improvements (upgraded insulation, efficient lighting, energy management system, including acquiring and installing solar and solar cells for heat or electricity generation, cogeneration if cost-effective) Provide additional furnishing, equipment and cabinetry to enhance educational programs. Replace existing windows and doors as necessary. Provide temporary classrooms when needed to house students displaced during construction. Upgrade and install new technology equipment and software to support District wide needs. Upgrade, repair and/or replace electrical, plumbing, HVAC, equipment, roofing, safety and technology and perform seismic upgrades at sites within the School Facilities Improvement District to support District ongoing educational and administration needs. Make other improvements required by current codes and regulations, including those found in the Field Act, and those required by access compliance requirements as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/ modernization (including plumbing or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic, structural, etc.) Redesign, modernize and/or construct new facilities needed to enhance revenue opportunities for sites within the School Facilities Improvement District. Other improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Necessary site preparation and restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of portable classrooms, including demolition of existing structures; removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, drainage, utility lines (gas, water, sewer, electrical, data and voice, etc.), trees and landscaping; relocating fire access roads; and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property Rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis, as needed, to accommodate construction materials, equipment, personnel, and interim classrooms (including relocatables) for students and school functions or other storage for classroom materials displaced during construction Furnish and equip classrooms and other facilities Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease, lease-purchase, or other appropriate financial arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities. All other work, furnishing and equipping, licensing, testing, permits, approvals and fees necessary and incidental to specific projects described above. For any project involving renovation, repair, or rehabilitation of a building or the major portion of a building, the District shall be authorized to proceed with new replacement construction instead (including any necessary demolition), if the Board of Trustees determines that replacement and new construction is more practical than rehabilitation and renovation, considering the building's age, condition, expected remaining life, comparative cost, and other relevant factors. Approval of Measure J does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Antioch Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure J will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure J. 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.