Hermosa Beach City School District, Bond Issue, Measure S (June 2016)
| Measure S: Hermosa Beach City School District Bond Issue |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| June 7, 2016 |
| Status: |
 ApprovedMajority required: 55% |
| Topic: |
| Local school bonds Tax: $29.50 per $100,000 Matures in: Legal limit |
| Related articles |
| Local school bonds on the ballot June 7, 2016 ballot measures in California Los Angeles County, California ballot measures School bond elections in California |
| See also |
| Hermosa Beach City School District, California |
A bond issue was on the ballot for Hermosa Beach City School District voters in Los Angeles County, California , on June 7, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the district's debt by $59 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the district's debt by $59 million through issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. |
District officials estimated the total debt service cost for the loan—including principal and interest—at $127 million. District officials also estimated that a property tax rate of $29.5 per $100,000 in assessed value would be required to repay the bonds.
The last time district voters saw a bond issue was in 2014, when they narrowly rejected Measure Q, a $54 million bond issue. Measure Q received "yes" votes from 54.47 percent of active voters and was 32 votes shy of the 55 percent supermajority vote requirement.
A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of Measure S.
Election results
| Hermosa Beach City School District, Measure S | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 4,040 | 59.72% | ||
| No | 2,725 | 40.28% | ||
- Election results from Los Angeles County Elections
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To reduce student overcrowding and make safety, security, and health improvements; construct, renovate, modernize and equip classrooms and facilities at North, Valley and View Schools; replace or repair roofs; provide technology improvements for students; and upgrade or replace outdated electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, shall Hermosa Beach City School District issue $59,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, and have an independent citizens’ oversight committee with no money for administrative salaries or taken by the state?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Los Angeles County Counsel:
| “ |
Approval of Measure S would authorize the Board of Education (“Board”) of the Hermosa Beach Unified School District (“District”), who placed this Measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 04:15/16 to issue general obligation bonds, in an amount not to exceed $59,000,000. Funds received from the sale of the bonds shall be used for North, Valley and View Schools for the specific purposes set forth in the Measure. Examples of authorized projects, include, but are not limited to: renovating and modernizing existing classrooms and buildings, including roofs, walls, windows, ceilings, and floors; disabled access improvements; updated technology, furnishings and equipment to meet curriculum needs; renovating and modernizing safety and security improvements, including fire safety systems, security systems, lighting, fencing, and emergency communication systems; renovating and modernizing basic infrastructure and utilities, including roofs, plumbing, sewer, gas, electrical, water, drainage, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, energy efficiency and water conservation improvements; renovating and constructing specialty classrooms for technology, computers, science, library, art, and performing arts; constructing new classrooms as well as multipurpose, administration, and support facilities; renovating, modernizing and constructing landscape and hardscape improvements, including playgrounds, equipment, and turf; planting, irrigation systems, fencing, and parking and transportation improvements; and renovating, modernizing, and constructing kitchen facilities and equipment, and student lunch shelters. No funds may be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. The Board shall cause independent performance and financial audits to be performed annually to ensure that bond proceeds have been expended only for the projects on the Project List. The Board shall appoint an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee in compliance with Education Code section 15278 no later than 60 days after the Board enters the election results in its minutes pursuant to Education Code section 15274. The District shall create an account into which bond proceeds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code section 53410. The maximum rate of interest on any bond shall not exceed the maximum statutory rate. Any new bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code shall have a maturity not exceeding twenty-five (25) years, and any bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code shall have a maturity not exceeding forty (40) years. According to the District’s Tax Rate Statement, the best estimate of the highest tax rate required to fund the bonds, based on the assessed valuations available at the time of the District filing its Tax Rate Statement on the Measure, is $29.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17. This Measure requires a fifty-five percent (55%) vote for passage.[2] |
” |
| —Los Angeles County Counsel[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[4]
- Mary Campbell, HBCSD Board of Trustees, President
- Stacey Armato, District Parent/City Councilmember
- Tracy Robinson, Hermosa Beach Educators Association President
- George J. Schmeltzer, Senior/Community Leader
- Dunham Stewart, Realtor, President Hermosa Beach Little League
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[4]
| “ |
Everyone knows the importance and value of having quality schools. From higher achieving students, to increased home values and greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. In 2002, Hermosa Beach City School District voters overwhelmingly passed a school improvement measure to upgrade our community’s schools. Since that time, improvements have been made to repair and rehab local children’s aging classrooms and schools. But our work is not done. Many classrooms and buildings in the Hermosa Beach City School District are overcrowded, outdated, and inadequate to provide children with the school facilities they need to succeed. Our children need your YES vote on Measure S! Severely overcrowded classrooms have required that some children attend class in converted multi-purpose rooms. In addition to overcrowding, Hermosa Beach schools are old with an average age of over 70 years. North School, our oldest, was first built in 1924! If approved, Measure S would finish the work we started, reduce student overcrowding, and bring the rest of our schools up to 21st century standards. If passed, Measure S will: - Rebuild North School to reduce student overcrowding - Repair/replace aging roofs - Upgrade inadequate electrical systems - Renovate deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems - Improve student access to modern technology Measure S makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. - By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens’ oversight committee. - All bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State. - Funds are required to be spent only on Hermosa schools, not for administrator or teacher salaries. Measure S reduces student overcrowding, renovates old schools, and maintains the quality of our community. That’s something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE S![2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[4]
- Blair Smith, Hermosa Homeowner
- Cassandra Bates, Hermosa Resident
- James Hausle, Former Oversight Committee Member
- Marcus B. Sucro, Hermosa Homeowner
- Lynne Pope, Hermosa Homeowner
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[4]
| “ |
VOTE NO ON THIS BOND. It does not examine all district options to create the best plan for our students and community. An investigation of less expensive options, like reprising existing property, has to be done. Hermosa Beach residents and parents deserve a proper cost/benefit analysis of less expensive and logistically sound options before committing to this bond. This $59,000,000 bond commits over 85% of the school district’s bond borrowing capacity for 30 years without an identified plan. The costs that every homeowner and renter will be responsible to repay could be up to $90,000,000 with interest. Previous bonds without well-defined plans have significantly contributed to the current classroom shortage. The language of the bond tells us nothing, it is vague and anything can happen once it is passed. There has been a constant stream of misinformation presented to the public. The Facilities and Planning Advisory Committee, FPAC, was tasked to consider only one option, North School, although others exist. The School District must do a comprehensive traffic study of 100’s of car trips a day at rush hour times on major arteries and surrounding narrow streets. North School is a historically significant building and aligns with the concept to KEEP HERMOSA’S HISTORY. The current North School tenants fill a critical need for many community parents, 80% of whom are Hermosa residents. They will be evicted to make room for the district’s plan to build a new school for 300 plus elementary school children. Costs are too high and do not allow any margin of error for unanticipated additional costs. The District needs to do its homework and a thorough investigation to find a more cost effective solution.[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Hermosa Beach City School District, California.
Related measures
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Hermosa Beach City School District bond issue Measure S. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Los Angeles County Registrar, "Presidential Primary June 7, 2016 Measures Appearing on the Ballot," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Hermosa Beach City School District, "IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE S," accessed May 21, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Los Angeles Elections Office, "Hermosa Beach Sample Ballot, June 7, 2016, election," accessed May 25, 2016
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