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Lafayette School District, California, Bond Issue, Measure C (June 2016)
| Measure C: Lafayette School District Bond Issue |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| June 7, 2016 |
| Status: |
 ApprovedMajority required: 55% |
| Topic: |
| Local school bonds Tax: $28.52 per $100,000 in value Matures in: Legal limit |
| Related articles |
| Local school bonds on the ballot June 7, 2016 ballot measures in California Contra Costa County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Lafayette School District, California |
A bond issue measure was on the ballot for Lafayette School District voters in Contra Costa County, California, on June 7, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the district's debt by $70 million through issuing general obligation bonds and increasing property taxes to repay the bonds. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the district's debt by $70 million through issuing general obligation bonds and increasing property taxes to repay the bonds. |
District officials estimated the total debt service cost for the loan—including principal and interest—at $157,362,590. District officials also estimated the property tax rate required to repay the proposed bonds at $28.52 per $100,000 in assessed property value.[1]
A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of Measure C.
Election results
| Lafayette School District, Measure C | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 8,371 | 73.84% | ||
| No | 2,966 | 26.16% | ||
- Election results from Contra Costa County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To upgrade aging neighborhood elementary and middle schools, avoid overcrowding, and modernize classrooms for today’s curriculum, including math, science, technology and arts, shall Lafayette School District repair or replace deteriorated roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems; update classrooms, labs and instructional technology; improve school safety/security: and acquire, construct, renovate, equip sites/facilities, by issuing $70,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no administrators’ salaries, and all funds dedicated locally to Lafayette TK-8 schools?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Contra Costa County Counsel:
| “ |
The California Constitution provides that school districts may issue bonds for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, with the approval of 55% of the voters voting at an election for that purpose. By resolution, the Lafayette School District has proposed that bonds of the District be issued in an amount up to $70,000,000. This measure provides that proceeds from the sale of the bonds will generally be used to “repair or replace deteriorated roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems; update classrooms, labs and instructional technology; improve school safety/security; and acquire, construct, renovate, equip sites/facilities.” The specific projects are set forth in the bond project list attached to the resolution of the Board of Trustees. The measure provides that a citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended and that annual performance and financial audits will be conducted. The measure further provides that bond proceeds will only be used for the purposes specified in the measure, and not for any other purpose. Approval of this measure authorizes the levy of ad valorem taxes upon taxable property to repay the bonded indebtedness, both principal and interest, in each year that bonds are outstanding. The Lafayette School District has prepared a Tax Rate Statement, which represents the school district’s best estimates of the property tax rates required to service the bonds. The estimated average annual tax rate required to be levied to fund the bonds is expected to be $28.52 per $100,000 of assessed valuation over the life of the bonds. Approval of 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. The proposed project or projects may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure. A “yes” vote authorizes the issuance of the bonds and the levy of taxes as estimated in the Tax Rate Statement to repay the bonded indebtedness. A “yes” vote by 55% of the voters within the District voting on the measure is required for passage of this measure. A “no” vote on this measure disapproves the issuance of the bonds and the levy of the taxes for the bonded indebtedness.[2] |
” |
| —Contra Costa County Counsel[1] | ||
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:[1]
- Mark Mitchell, Mayor, City of Lafayette
- Meredith Meade, Parent & President, Lafayette Partners in Education
- Toni McShane, Principal, Lafayette Elementary School, Happy Valley Grandparent
- Ed Stokes, Businessman/Owner, Diablo Foods, 48-Year Resident
- Dana Green, Lafayette Realtor
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
| “ |
VOTE YES on Measure C to protect the outstanding quality of education provided to children attending Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade (TK-8) at Burton Valley, Happy Valley, Lafayette, and Springhill Elementary Schools, and Stanley Middle School. Our Lafayette School District elementary and middle schools have educated generations of local children. However, they have grown old – really old. Most are now 50-70 years old, and need significant repairs and upgrades. Only one of the five schools received upgrades over 16 years ago. After constant use for many years, the need is great. Measure C provides a prudent plan to address Lafayette School District’s most critical facility needs. NO other funding currently exists to properly upgrade these facilities. Measure C will: • Repair/Replace leaky roofs, and deteriorated plumbing, HVAC, lighting, and electrical systems • Upgrade technology infrastructure to keep pace with 21st century learning • Modernize 50+ year-old, outdated classrooms, labs, and equipment • Accommodate enrollment growth and instructional needs by constructing modern, flexible classrooms at Stanley Middle School, and reconfiguring or constructing classrooms on the District’s four elementary school sites • Improve School Safety – lighting, fence/gate repairs, alarm systems, play equipment and pick-up/drop-off zones. Taxpayer protections are REQUIRED. ALL funds MUST stay in Lafayette. By law, these funds CAN’T be taken by the State. NO funds are allowed for administrators' salaries or pensions. Independent Citizens' Oversight, mandatory audits and public reports will ensure funds are spent properly. Whether or not you have school-age children, protecting the local quality of education is a smart investment. Great schools protect great property values and keep our community strong. Please join teachers, parents, business and civic leaders, and residents in every neighborhood of Lafayette who are VOTING YES on C to ensure safe, modern, excellent schools for years to come. [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Bruce R. Peterson, Private Citizen
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
| “ |
The 1995 bond isn't paid, now politicians want to go deeper into debt, to re-fix the last fix. The debt outlived the repairs. Outside Consultants, say what voters will approve & what amount. The reason for separating this tax, from the 2014 tax. What interest rates are we being gouged? I gave the administrators ten questions. Time is expiring, with no reply. Ignorance is bliss. We will pay many times more in interest, than actual construction costs. The online article about this, is called: The bank, the school and the 38 year loan. By Melody Petersen. Melody writes about ignorant, unaccountable politicians & administrators, consultant driven debt & misleading advertising, funded by architects, contractors, consultants & lawyers. Anything good for you, doesn't need advertising. Expect pleading phone calls from administrators, to approve this 51 year loan. Politicians claim the roof leaks. Again? Do school roofs actually leak? This is typical propaganda. Politicians claimed the roof leaked in 1995. Then installed solar panels, replaced auditoriums & baseball fields. Then installed gates, to make the ball fanatics park in the street. Intelligent administration, would rent the parking lots. $7,000,000 to the architect. Wow! Add interest too. I hope the architects, consultants & investment bankers are giving the foolish politicians a kickback. They really earned one. The stupid. lazy, corrupt, insulting, local media, always publishes propaganda supporting higher taxes. They will publish letters, calling anyone opposing wasteful squandering, a greedy child hater. Actually we detest duplicitous, cowardly, overspending politicians & their overpaid, arrogant, moronic administrators. Their propaganda claims there will be someone from a taxpayer organization, on their citizen's oversight committee. Ridiculous! Why not put dogs on the oversight committee? Ask children this question. What needs replacement at your school, you want to pay interest on, for the rest of your life? [2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Lafayette School District, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Lafayette School District Local school bonds. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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