Alameda Unified School District Bond Issue, Measure I (November 2014)

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An Alameda Unified School District Bond Issue, Measure I ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Alameda Unified School District in Alameda County, California. It was approved.

Measure I authorized the district to increase its debt by $179.5 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount.

District officials estimated that an additional property tax of $60 per $100,000 of assessed property value would be required to repay the debt that would be authorized by the approval of Measure I.

A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of this measure.

Election results

Measure I
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		13,111	62.75%
No		7,783	37.25%

Election results via: Alameda County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

Alameda Local School Improvement Measure. To improve schools to provide high quality education by renovating neighborhood schools, improving earthquake safety and student security, upgrading science and computer labs, improving heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems, replacing leaky roofs, windows, and doors, installing solar systems, and renovating, constructing, and acquiring classrooms, sites, facilities, and equipment, shall Alameda Unified School District issue $179,500,000 in bonds at legal rates, with annual audits and citizen oversight, no funds for administrator salaries and all funds benefiting neighborhood schools?

”

Tax statement

The following tax rate statement was provided by the office of the superintendent:

“	An election will be held in the Alameda Unified School District (the “District”) on November 4, 2014, to authorize the sale of up to $179,500,000 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 three 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 District. 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 6 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16. 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 6 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2019-20. 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 6 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation. The tax rate is expected to remain the same in each year. The District’s best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over all of the years the bonds will be outstanding is $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. 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. The foregoing information is based upon the District’s projections and estimates only. 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 its 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.	”
—Superintendent Kirsten M. Vital

Project list

Below is a list of projects and spending requirements for the bond money provided by district officials:

“

The Board of Education of the Alameda Unified School District is committed to providing facilities and equipment needed for a rigorous academic program in an inclusive, safe and secure environment so students become responsible citizens and are prepared for college and good paying jobs in fields like science, and technology. To that end, the Board evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size, computer and information technology, enrollment trends and prepared a Facilities Master Plan, dated May 2014, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received extensive public input in developing this Project List through school site meetings, community presentations, opinion leader input, and interactive materials. Students, teachers, staff, community members and the Board have prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive to address. Therefore, in approving this Project List, the Board of Education determines that the District should: (i) Provide the facilities and equipment needed so students have access to 21st Century learning technology and are prepared for college and good paying jobs in fields like science, and technology; and (ii) IMPROVE STUDENT SAFETY AND SECURITY systems, including security lighting and hardware, fencing, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers; and (iii) Repair or replace old, leaky roofs, worn-out floors, rusty plumbing and faulty electrical systems; and (iv) Adhere to specific FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as: (a) The State must be prohibited from taking any of the funds raised, (b) All expenditures must be subject to annual independent financial audits, and (c) An independent citizens’ oversight committee must be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent only as authorized. The Project List includes the following types of upgrades and improvements at the District and charter schools, including elementary schools, middle schools and high schools: Elementary Schools: Bay Farm Elementary Earhart Elementary Edison Elementary Otis Elementary Franklin Elementary Paden Elementary Lum Elementary Ruby Bridges Elementary Nea Learning Center Maya Lin School Middle schools: Encinal Jr. Jets Middle School Lincoln Middle School Wood Middle School Academy of Alameda Alameda County Learning Center High schools: Alameda Science & Technology Institute (ASTI) Encinal High School Henry Haight Elementary Alameda High School Island High School Nea Learning Center Critical Need Projects Goal and Purpose: Since protecting quality education in local schools requires renovating, repairing and upgrading outdated school buildings, bathrooms, science labs, classrooms, computers, technology, school libraries, and equipment to give all children the resources they need to learn and stay up-to-date with the latest advances in technology and education, local schools will benefit from projects including: Repair or replace old, worn-out leaky roofs, windows, doors, floors, rusty plumbing, and electrical systems. Upgrade classrooms, science labs, career technical education facilities and computer systems to keep pace with changing technology. Repair and modernize outdated classrooms and school buildings. Upgrade classrooms and science labs so that they comply with current standards. Add electrical service capacity to relieve overloaded electrical systems so that it can handle modern instructional technology. Provide improved, up-to-date technology infrastructure. Add classrooms, labs and school facilities to address demographic needs. Replace older heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems which will save money. Safety and Security Projects Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values and reduce maintenance and operating costs, returning more money to the classroom, District-owned sites will benefit from a variety of safety and security projects, such as: Upgrade fire alarm systems to automatic systems, repair fire safety equipment, add sprinklers and fire safety doors to make students safe in the event of an emergency. Modernize schools and classrooms to improve access for students with disabilities. Update student pick-up and drop-off areas to enhance student and community safety. Upgrade and install new security systems, such as security lighting, fencing, door keys, smoke detectors, and fire alarms and sprinklers. Secure the perimeter of school sites. Replace aging, outdated portables with permanent classrooms that meet 21st Century health, safety and academic standards. Upgrade emergency communication systems to improve student safety. Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint from older school sites. Improve earthquake safety. Upgrade schools to meet handicap accessibility requirements. Technology District-Wide Instructional Technology and Wiring Projects To Provide a 21st Century Education Goal and Purpose: To upgrade classroom computers and computer technology to allow our students to attend college or to compete in today’s job market by providing them with 21st Century technology skills and a strong background in science, math, business and technology: Upgrade instructional technology in the classroom for improved student learning. Provide and maintain up-to-date technology, data and communication equipment. Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, Internet and network connections, upgrade electrical wiring at all District-owned sites. Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and infrastructure systems, classroom and library technology and teaching equipment to enhance instruction.

”

See also

• Local school bonds on the ballot
• School bond elections in California
• Alameda County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Alameda County Elections Office website