East Whittier City Elementary School District

Measure R Bond Measure - 55% Approval Required

.PROJECT LIST

– The Board of Education of the East Whittier City School District evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size, class size reduction, and computer and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input and review in developing this Project List. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing.

– School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects For Health, Safety and Maintenance

– Repair or replace roofs, walls/ceilings, and floors, including improving insulation and weather proofing.

– Replace or repair older water systems, sewer systems, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems with building code compliant, energy-efficient systems.

– Upgrade fire alarm systems, smoke detectors and sprinklers, and repair, replace or install fire safety equipment.

– Upgrade or replace security and safety systems, including existing window systems and doors, doorframes and hardware.

– Install additional electrical service capacity or repair currently overloaded electrical systems in connection with the above projects.

The listed projects will be completed as needed. 

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE R

By Mary C. Wickham, County Counsel

Approval of Measure R (“Measure”) would authorize the Board of Trustees (“Board”) of the East Whittier City School District (“District”), which placed the Measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 13-15/16, to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $70,000,000.

Proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by the Measure shall be used only for the purposes specified in the Measure, including, but not limited to, renovating, repairing, and upgrading schools to improve health, safety, and maintenance; repairing or replacing roofs, walls, ceilings, and floors, including improving insulation and weatherproofing; replacing or repairing older water systems, sewer systems, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems with building code compliant and energy-efficient systems; upgrading fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, and sprinklers, and repairing, replacing, or installing fire safety equipment; upgrading or replacing security and safety systems, including existing window systems and doors, doorframes, and hardware; and installing additional electrical service capacity or repairing currently overloaded electrical systems in connection with projects specified above.

Proceeds from the sale of the bonds shall be used only for purposes specified in the Measure, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and school administrator salaries or pensions or other operating expenses.

The Board shall cause independent performance and financial audits to be conducted annually to ensure that bond proceeds are spent only for the projects identified in the Measure. The Board shall cause the appointment of an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee in accordance with Education Code section 15278, no later than 60 days after the Board enters the election results in its minutes. The purpose of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee shall be to inform the public concerning the expenditures of bond revenues. The District shall create an account into which bond proceeds shall be deposited and shall comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code section 53410.

According to the District’s Tax Rate Statement, the best estimate of the highest tax rate required to fund the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available when the District filed its Tax Rate Statement, or on a projection based on experience within the District and other demonstrable factors, is $30 per $100,000 of the assessed value of taxable property, which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain outstanding.

This Measure requires a fifty-five percent (55%) vote for passage.

TAX RATE STATEMENT - MEASURE R

An election will be held in East Whittier City School District (the “District”) on November 8, 2016 for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the District the question of issuing bonds of the District in the principal amount of $70 million. If such bonds are authorized and sold, the principal thereof and interest thereon will be payable from the proceeds of taxes levied on the taxable property in the District. The following information regarding tax rates is given to comply with Section 9401 of the California Elections Code. This information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience within the District and other demonstrable factors.

Based upon the foregoing and projections of the assessed valuations of taxable property in the District, and assuming the entire debt service on the bonds will be paid through property taxation:

1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the first sale of the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, or on a projection based on experience within the District or other demonstrable factors, is $0.030 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation of all property to be taxed for the year 2017-18.

2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, or on a projection based on experience within the District or other demonstrable factors, is $0.030 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation of all property to be taxed and the year 2025-26.

3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of the filing of this statement, or on a projection based on experience within the District or other demonstrable factors, is $0.030 per $100 ($30.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation of all property to be taxed, which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain 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 is $140 million.

Attention of voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates. The actual timing of sales of the bonds and the amount to be sold at any time will be governed by the needs of the District and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold, which will

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TAX RATE STATEMENT - MEASURE R (Continued)

not exceed the maximum permitted by law, will depend upon the bond market at the time of sale. The actual assessed valuations in future years will depend upon the value of property within the District as determined in the assessment and the equalization process. Therefore, the actual tax rates and the years in which those tax rates will be applicable may vary from those presently estimated and stated above.

MARY BRANCA

Superintendent

East Whittier City School District

FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE R

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the East Whittier City School District.

“Without increasing existing property tax rates, shall the East Whittier City School District issue $70 million in bonds at legal interest rates to make essential upgrades to aging schools including repairing or replacing leaky roofs, doors, windows, outdated plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems, and improve student safety and school security systems, including lighting, smoke alarms, fencing and emergency communications, with independent citizen oversight and audits to ensure all money benefits and improves local schools?”

PROJECT LIST

– The Board of Education of the East Whittier City School District evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size, class size reduction, and computer and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input and review in developing this Project List. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing.

– School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects For Health, Safety and Maintenance

– Repair or replace roofs, walls/ceilings, and floors, including improving insulation and weather proofing.

– Replace or repair older water systems, sewer systems, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems with building code compliant, energy-efficient systems.

– Upgrade fire alarm systems, smoke detectors and sprinklers, and repair, replace or install fire safety equipment.

– Upgrade or replace security and safety systems, including existing window systems and doors, doorframes and hardware.

– Install additional electrical service capacity or repair currently overloaded electrical systems in connection with the above projects.

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 Project List also includes the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, the reduction or retirement of outstanding lease obligations and interim or

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FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE R (Continued)

bridge funding incurred to advance fund projects from the Project 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: repair and replace heating/boiler, plumbing, gas,

water/sewer, drainage and ventilation systems; renovate student and staff

restrooms; acquire land and facilities for educational and administrative

purposes; repair and replace worn-out roofs, windows, walls, doors, doorframes

and drinking fountains; improve school facilities for disability access; install or

upgrade wiring and electrical systems; repair and replace fire alarms, emergency

communications, intercoms, and security systems; resurface or replace hard

courts, asphalt, turf and drainage/irrigation systems and campus landscaping;

enhance fire and maintenance access roads; interior and exterior painting and

floor covering; or replace; construct various forms of storage and support spaces;

repair, upgrade or install interior and exterior lighting systems; improve

handicapped accessibility; replace outdated security fences and security systems.

The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the final costs of each

project. The District may 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. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the

District’s receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project.

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 or geological stabilization 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.

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FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE R (Continued)

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.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL APPOINT A

CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL

INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON

DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. 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.

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