California law permits school districts to issue bonds with the approval of 55 percent of the voters. Such bonds may only be used for 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. These bonds are required to be paid by the levy of ad valorem taxes—a tax on the assessed value—of property within a district.
The board of Trustees (Board) of the Evergreen Elementary School District (District) proposes to issue such bonds in the amount of up to $80,000,000 for the purposes of increasing student internet and computer access, upgrading school emergency preparedness; installing campus security systems; and retrofitting and renovation classrooms and facilities.
As identified in the Measure, projects may include but are not limited to:
Upgrade and/or acquire and install exterior lighting, fire detection and suppression, security alarm, video surveillance, access controls, communication systems, network, fixture, infrastructure, equipment and controls.
Improve, correct, restore or renovate grounds, buildings and structures or portions thereof to address health safety, and accessibility risks and compliance
Modernize, renovate, replace, re-configure, expand, construct, acquire and install, and/or upgrade classrooms, classroom buildings, labs, restroom, common areas and grounds and school support facilities.
Reconfigure, renovate resurface, improve and/or expand roads, sidewalks, pathways, walkways, driveway, paved areas, parking lots and relate areas, and pick-up/drop-off areas.
Renovate replace, repair, upgrade, expand, construct, acquire, install and/or improve play areas, hard courts, play fields, turf, fencing, landscape, hardscape and outdoor learning areas, including shade/rain structures and sitting areas.
Upgrade, acquire and install technology equipment, fixtures and infrastructure.
Projects costs include the costs of furnishing and equipping such facilities, and all costs that are incidental, but directly related, to the types of projects described in the measure.
The board has certified that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing its project list.
By law, these bond funds cannot be used for teacher and administrator salaries or other school operating expenses. The District also must conduct independent annual performance and financial audits. State law requires the district to have an independent citizens’ oversight committee to help make sure bond funds are spent only for projects included in the Measure.
The District’s stated best estimate of the highest tax rate to be levied to repay the proposed bonds is $30 per $100,000 of assessed value. The District estimates that the total debt service during the life of the bond, including principal and interest, will be approximately $90 million.
Measure P was placed on the ballot by the Board.
A “Yes” vote is a vote to authorize the issuance of the bonds in the amount of up to $80,000,000 to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within the District.
A “no” vote is a vote to not authorize the issuance or the bonds.
