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Oxnard School District, California, Bond Issue, Measure D (November 2016)
| Measure D: Oxnard School District Bond Issue |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 ApprovedMajority required: 55% |
| Topic: |
| Local school bonds Tax: $30 per 100,000 in value Matures in: Legal limit |
| Related articles |
| Local school bonds on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Ventura County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Oxnard School District, California |
A bond issue measure was on the ballot for Oxnard School District voters in Ventura County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of issuing $142,500,000 in bonds to acquire, construct, and modernize school facilities. |
| A no vote was a vote against issuing $142,500,000 in bonds to acquire, construct, and modernize school facilities. |
A 55 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of this measure.
Election results
| Measure D | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 24,418 | 69.94% | ||
| No | 10,494 | 30.06% | ||
- Election results from Ventura County Registrar of Voters
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To acquire, construct and modernize additional classrooms and support facilities to reduce overcrowding, replace portable classrooms and older schools with new permanent facilities, increase student access to computers and modern classroom technology, improve student safety, reduce operating costs and qualify to receive State funds, shall Oxnard School District be authorized to issue up to $142,500,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, with an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, annual audits, and no money for administrator salaries? [2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Ventura County Counsel:
| “ |
Measure D was placed on the ballot by the Governing Board of Trustees (“Board”) of the Oxnard School District (“District”). Under the state Constitution, school districts may issue general obligation bonds only if approved by 55% (or more) of the voters of the District. Such a “Yes” vote on Measure D would permit the Board to issue bonds (“Bonds”) in an amount not to exceed $142,500,000 for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and replacement of District school facilities, as stated in the Bond Project List set forth in the measure. Measure D states that proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used in conjunction with other District funds, including prior bond proceeds, as well as anticipated State aid, to continue the District’s construction and improvement program. That program includes the following potential uses of the proceeds: acquiring land; constructing classrooms and facilities for existing and future schools; modernizing classrooms; upgrading technology, electrical, and network infrastructure; funding deferred maintenance; upgrading, repairing, and replacing utility and energy systems; providing matching funds for State grants; leasing property; removing portable and constructing permanent classrooms and cafeterias; constructing library, media, and multipurpose rooms, etc. Under the terms of Measure D, the District Board must establish an independent citizens’ oversight committee to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended for items in the Bond Project List. In addition, the Board must conduct annual performance and financial audits. Measure D further provides that bond proceeds cannot be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. District officials must submit annual reports to the Board stating the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year and the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. Principal and interest on the Bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. These taxes would be in addition to the normal real property taxes levied on taxpayers in the District. The amount of the increased taxes each year will depend upon the amount needed to pay the principal and interest on the Bonds. The Tax Rate Statement for Measure D in the sample ballot pamphlet reflects the District’s best estimates, based upon currently available data and projections, of the property tax rates required to service the Bonds. The District estimates that the tax rate that will be necessary to fund this bond issue will be $18.00 during the first fiscal year after sale of the Bonds, and $30.00 after the sale of the last series of Bonds, for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. The tax rate in any given year may not exceed $30.00 for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. Approval of Measure D does not guarantee that the District projects specified will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure D. The District’s proposal for the 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. [2] |
” |
| —Ventura County Counsel[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure was available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[3]
- Nancy Lindholm, CEO Oxnard Chamber of Commerce
- Susan Odgers, Oxnard Education Foundation
- Veronica Robles-Solis, board president, Oxnard School District
- Lisa Latimer, PTA parent leader
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[3]
| “ |
Every student regardless of background or location should have the opportunity to a good education. But many of our schools that were built in the 1940’s and 1960’s are old, in substantial need of upgrade, and can no longer support modern classroom instruction. We need to reinvest in our neighborhood schools. We need to build more modern classrooms and schools and replace portables and older school buildings to better meet today’s student and community need. Oxnard School District is eligible for $69 million in State grants to assist in new school construction and modernization of our schools, but a local match is required. MEASURE “D” will: Replace portable classrooms and older schools with new permanent facilities. Modernize and construct additional elementary and middle school classrooms and support facilities to better accommodate modern classroom instruction and enrollment. Improve student and teacher access to modern classroom and computer technology so students are better prepared for high school, college, and careers. Provide the required local match for $69 million in State grants to modernize and construct new school facilities. As taxpayers and homeowners, we agree quality schools improve property values, attract business and maintain the desirability of our community. MEASURE “D” PROVIDES TAXPAYER SAFEGUARDS we can ALL SUPPORT. It establishes an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee to ensure funds are only spent on voter-approved projects with no monies for employee salaries. It also requires annual financial and performance audits. The time to improve our neighborhood schools is now. If we wait, costs will only continue to increase and our children may get left behind. We need to make an investment in our schools to attract families, businesses and good paying jobs, and look forward to a stronger Oxnard and improved success for our children. VOTE YES on MEASURE “D”! [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[3]
- Denis O'Leary, Oxnard School District Trustee
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[3]
| “ |
Four years ago the Oxnard School District asked us to support Measure R, a $90,000,000 bond. The written ballot argument of 2012 stated, “We need to build new classrooms to relieve student overcrowding at every school.” Schools that were 60 years old were replaced with pretty, new schools, and the same amount of classrooms as the old. Overcrowding still exists. Most of that $90M is already spent. We are further in debt, and Oxnard families are paying more taxes for classrooms that were never built. To add insult to injury, most of the money was spent on a workforce from other regions of California and from out of state - not benefiting our local economy. Now, the Oxnard School District is coming back to us with another bond - this time for $142,500,000. The Oxnard School District admits that the total cost of debt is estimated to be $478,680,000. Most of the money benefits investors, not Oxnard’s children. This time, they promise they will use the money to build two or more new schools and modernize existing classrooms. The Oxnard School District hasn’t kept promises they made four years ago. They have refused to address the overcrowding of classrooms. Why trust them now? Most of us are willing to sacrifice from our household budgets to improve our local schools - but only if the school district delivers what it promises for our children. Perhaps the issue of overcrowding and new classrooms will be addressed. $90,000,000 along with $142,500,000 plus interests and fees could take care of the problem. Until the Oxnard School District delivers on its original promises, it has no business demanding more money from our families and children to go into investors’ pockets. Perhaps after becoming accountable we can accept a new bond measure. Until then: Vote NO on Measure D![2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Oxnard School District, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Oxnard 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
- ↑ Ventura County Clerk and Recorder, "Local Measures November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election," accessed October 17, 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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Ventura County Clerk and Recorder, "Sample Ballot and Voter Information Pamphlet," accessed October 17, 2016
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