League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Joaquin County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure B School Bonds Escalon Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 3287 / 64.10% Yes votes ...... 1841 / 35.90% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure B

Arguments Against Measure B

The vast majority of schools in the Escalon Unified School District were constructed prior to 1960. Although the district has done a good job maintaining its schools, they are now old and in need of substantial improvements. The district qualifies for approximately $8.9 million in State grants to modernize its four elementary schools, middle school, and high school, but a local match is required. Measure "B" will provide the local match to modernize our schools and provide facilities comparable to neighboring districts. There is a need for career technical and vocational facilities so students that do not attend college can obtain better jobs and careers after graduation. Today, these programs are housed in 40-60 year old facilities and in need of repair. Measure "B" will modernize and expand career technical and vocational facilities. State and Federal funds for schools are decreasing. Computers and modern classroom technology are increasingly important for learning and success. Measure "B" provides local funding that the State cannot take away for improved student access to modern classroom technology. MEASURE "B" WILL: Replace outdated roofs, lighting, utility, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems Modernize and expand career technical and vocational facilities so students have improved access to college and good paying jobs, right after high school Improve student access to computers and modern classroom technology Provide the required local match for $8.9 million in State grants to modernize classrooms and facilities at all school sites. MEASURE "B" PROVIDES TAXPAYER SAFEGUARDS An independent Citizens' Oversight Committee Annual financial and performance audits Requires that funds are used only for voter approved projects - not for salaries, administration, or overhead. There is never a good time to wait to improve our schools - the time is now! Please join us. Vote YES on Measure "B"! Submitted by: /s/ Al Caton, Board President, Escalon Unified School District /s/ Grant Thompson, Farmer /s/ Greg Largent, Teacher/Coach Escalon Unified School District /s/ Irene M. Laugero, Coach/Parent /s/ Thomas Hagan, Business

NO ARGUMENTS AGAINST MEASURE B WAS SUBMITTED

Tax Rate Statement from Ron Costa, Superintendent, Escalon Unified School District

An election will be held in the Escalon Unified School District (the "District") on November 6, 2012, to authorize the sale of up to $19,500,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District plans to sell the bonds in approximately four series over a period of approximatelyt twelve years. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The estimated maximum tax rate over the life of the bonds is $44.40 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, an increase of $10.00 per $100,000 of assessed valation from the 2002 bond estimated tax rate. Upon the initial sale of bonds, the tax rate is estimated to be $10.00 per $100,000 and will progressively increase to the estimated maximum of $44.40 per $100,000 of assessed valuation as the 2002 bond is repaid. 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 1.00 cent per $100 ($10.00 per $100.000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14. 2. The best estinmate 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 1.875 per $100 ($18.75 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in the fiscal year 2024-25. 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 $4.44 cents per $100 ($44.40 per $100,000) of assessed valuation beginning in fiscal years 2027-28. Approval of the ballot measure authorizes the issuance of bonds under certain conditions, and is not approval of a specific tax rate or a specific bond issuance plan. The tax rate estimates in this statement reflect the District's current projection of future assessed values and of future debt service payments, which are based on certain assumptions. 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 (i)timing of bond sales, (ii) the amount and repayment structure of bonds sold, (iii) market interest rates at the time of each sale, and (iv) actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale of the bonds and the amount and repayment structure of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on its need for construction funds, its intention 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 are 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. 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. Dated August 10, 2012

Full Text of Measure B

This proposition may be known and referred to as the Escalon Unified School District General Obligation Bond of 2012, or Measure B. BOND AUTHORIZATION By approval of this proposition by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $19,500,000 in aggregrated principal at interst rates below the legal limit, to provide finance for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below. BOND PROJECT LIST The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A-1 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. Approval of this Bond Measure (the "Measure") does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the District that are the subject of bonds under the Measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by the Measure. If state matching funds become available, they will be used for and applied to the Bond Project List as per Exhibit A-1. The school district's proposal for the project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of the statewide bond measure. ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District 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 XIIIA, Section 1(bX3), 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 has prepared an updated facilities plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the District. The Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A-1. Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee: The Board shall establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A-1. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board. Performance Audits: The Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on thye school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A-1. Financial Audits: The Board shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A-1. Special Bond Proceeds Account-Annual Report to the Board: Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board 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 Superintendent of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board annually 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 in the annual budget, audit, or another appropriate routine report to the Board. FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS No Administrator Salaries: Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, and/or rehabilitation of school facilities including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrtor salaries and other school operating expenses. The proceeds of the bonds will be deposited into a Building Fund to be held by the San Joaquin County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code. EXHIBIT A-1 ESCALON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROJECT LIST The District intends to use the proceeds of the Bonds to finance some or all of the below-listed projects for joint school and community use, upon voter approval. 1. Improve student and teacher access to computers and modern technology; 2. Modernize or construct permanent classrooms, restrooms, libraries, and career technical and vocational classroom facilities; 3. Modernize schools and support facilities including replacing or installing new roofs, plumbing, lighting, heating, and air conditioning systems; 4. Upgrade fire and security alarms, clock, bell, and public address systems, circulation and parking and handicapped access to enhance student safety; 5. Provide the local match requirement for State grants to modernize and construct school facilities; 6. Modernize facilities District-wide and fund deferred maintenance projects and ongoing repairs; 7. Furnish and equip school facilities; 8. Purchase leased facilities and retire exhisting debt for school facilities; 9. Upgrade infrastructure and address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/mdernization (e.g., plumbing or gas line breaks, dry rot, seismic or structural needs, etc.); 10.Perform necessary site acquisition, preparation, and restoration in connection with new construction, renovation, modernization, or remodeling of school facilities.