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rates to make essential upgrades to aging schools including repairing or replacing leaky roofs, doors, windows, outdated plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems, and improve student safety and school security systems, including lighting, smoke alarms, fencing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