Pass: 28323 / 63.9% Yes votes ...... 15995 / 36.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition may be used only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of school facilities that benefit the District, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, acquisition, or lease of real property for school facilities and construction management by personnel of the Poway Unified School District.

The interest rate on any bond, which is established at the time of bond issuance, cannot exceed 12% per annum. The final maturity date of any bond can be no later than 25 years after the date of bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code or not later than 40 years after the date of bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid by revenue derived from an annual tax levied on taxable property within the District in an amount sufficient to pay the interest as it becomes due and to provide a fund for payment of the principal at maturity.

California Constitution Article XIII A exempts from the one percent property tax rate limitation ad valorem taxes to pay the interest and redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or improvement of real property, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, when approved by 55% of the voters if: (a) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds are used only for the purposes specified, (b) the District, by evaluating safety, class size reduction, and information technology, has approved a list of specific projects to be funded, (c) the District will conduct an annual, independent performance audit, and (d) the District will conduct an annual, independent financial audit. If a bond measure is approved by 55% of the voters, state law requires the governing board of the District to establish an independent citizens' oversight committee. The District has made this ballot proposition subject to these requirements.

A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of authorizing School Facilities Improvement District 2007-1 of the Poway Unified School District to issue and sell up to $179,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

A "no" vote is a vote against authorizing School Facilities Improvement District 2007-1 of the Poway Unified School District to issue and sell up to $179,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

San Diego Union Tribune

• Going back for more - 01/27/08
• School bond opponent returns - 01/25/08
• Prop. C will finish rehab of Poway's old schools - 01/19/08
• Volunteer duo set to sell bond to voters - 12/30/07

• Poway parents kick off Proposition C school bond campaign - 01/05/08

San Diego County Taxpayers Association

• Ballot Recommendations

In 2002 local voters approved a bond measure to fund school renovations and add classrooms to reduce overcrowding.

After this measure passed, Poway Unified leveraged more than $100 million in State and local matching funds to reduce the costs of school renovations to local taxpayers. In fact, the School District's building program received an award from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association for fiscal responsibility.

Proposition C will provide funds to complete the next phase of school facility renovations, including:

• Removing hazardous materials like asbestos
• Ensuring schools have modern science and computer labs
• Improving technology access in libraries and classrooms
• Renovating worn-out roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation, lighting and electrical systems
• Upgrading smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, security fencing and security systems to improve student safety
• Improving insulation, doors and windows to increase energy efficiency and save money

Every penny from Proposition C must be spent locally to benefit only the schools in our District and can't be taken away by the State. No money can be used for administrator salaries. An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee and mandatory annual audits will ensure the money is spent properly.

We are fortunate to live in one of the best school districts in the State. Proposition C will ensure that our students are safe and learning in modern facilities with the technology they need to maintain outstanding student achievement. Good neighborhood schools increase the demand for our homes and help to protect our property values.

Repair Poway Unified schools without raising tax rates. Please vote YES on Proposition C.

LANI LUTAR, President & CEO
San Diego County Taxpayers Association

ERIC MATZ, President
Poway Real Estate Professional, Inc.

MARY O. ANDREWS, President
Palomar Council PTA

MARISSA OCHOA
Valley Elementary Teacher & PUSD 2006 Teacher of the Year

RON SAATHOFF, President
San Diego City Fire Fighters

• Apparently Big Government advocates think that there are only three times when we should increase property taxes.

  1. When property values are rising.
  2. When property values are stable.
  3. When property values are declining.

• You'd think that there's a shortage of revenue - that somehow we taxpayers are not paying our "fair share." But the truth is that government revenue streams are growing nicely WITHOUT new taxes being levied or raised. Compared to other states, our state and local taxes are quite high already.

• It's become a cliche, but it is still true - we don't have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem!

• That being said, do we need to raise taxes again for education - issuing more school bonds? No!

• Would you take out a 25 to 40 year mortgage to buy computers that last maybe 5 years, to trim trees, or to make plumbing repairs? Check out what the school district plans to spend this ultra-long term debt bond money on.

• Probably 90% of private schools in San Diego County charge less tuition than what we taxpayers are now spending on public school students. Usually a LOT less.

• Yet these private schools obviously do a good job. Otherwise the parents wouldn't be paying for private education that their kids could get free at government schools.

• The LAST thing we need to do is throw even more money into public schools. It's time for bureaucrats to better utilize the money that we ALREADY spend on education.

Please vote NO! on Prop C.

For more information, contact Richard McCormack macknet@pacbell.net 858-679-7523

RICHARD McCORMACK
Retired Landscaper

ALLEN HEMPHILL
Realtor/Newspaper Columnist

RICHARD RIDER
Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters

EDWARD TEYSSIER
Chair, San Diego Libertarian Party

PATRICIA B. McCORMACK
Computer Operations Manager

Bond Proposition of School Facilities Improvement District No. 2007-1 of the Poway Unified School District (February 5, 2008):

In order to construct, renovate, upgrade and provide repair of existing school facilities at schools benefiting School Facilities Improvement District No. 2007-1 of the Poway Unified School District, and in so doing increase educational effectiveness of classrooms for students, shall School Facilities Improvement District No. 2007-1 of the Poway Unified School District ("Improvement District") be authorized to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $179,000,000 to construct, renovate, upgrade and provide repair to school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities listed in Attachment "1," which is on file at the offices of the Poway Unified School District ("District") and incorporated herein by this reference, which bonds shall be issued for a term not to exceed the then-applicable statutory maximum, which is currently twenty-five (25) years in the case of bonds issued under the authority of the Education Code and forty (40) years in the case of bonds issued under the authority of the Government Code, at an interest rate below the legal maximum, and which Bonds shall be subject to the following provisions:

(A) That proceeds of the bonds shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities pursuant to California Constitution Article XIII A, Section 1(b)(3) and further that the proceeds of the Bonds shall be used only for the purposes specified in California Constitution Article XIII A, Section 1(b)(3) (as amended by Proposition 39) and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and any other school operating expenses.

(B) That a list of specific school facilities projects to be funded with the proceeds of the bonds is attached hereto as Attachment "1," which is on file at the District office and incorporated herein by this reference and, based upon the adoption of this Resolution, this Board of Education hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the school facilities listed in Attachment "1," which is on file at the District office and incorporated herein by this reference.

(C) That the Board of Education of the District shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit of the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects identified herein.

(D) That the Board of Education of the District shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds until all of those proceeds have been expended for the school facilities projects identified herein.

(E) That the Board of Education of the District will, pursuant to the provisions of applicable State law, appoint a citizens' oversight committee, and conduct annual independent audits (as referenced above) to assure that the Bond proceeds are spent only on the school, facilities and classroom improvements, projects and costs identified in Attachment "1" and for no other purposes, and that the citizens' oversight committee shall meet on a regular basis and shall, where possible, include construction, finance or other qualified professionals in its membership and may, as part of its activities, review and provide comments to the Board of Education on bond measure expenditure plans, bond measure-related staffing and consultants, and the District's deferred maintenance plans, and shall be advisory only, and shall not replace or impede the activities or decisions of the District's Board of Education.

(F) That the District's deferred maintenance plans, as periodically amended, may be reviewed by the citizens' oversight committee as a part of its activities.

(G) That in order to maximize community benefit and to apply bond funds available, the District should pursue identified opportunities to expand the use and availability of community joint use facilities, or other joint facility use opportunities, in expanded school construction projects when practical to do so and, in pursuing such joint use, the District should take into consideration opportunities to maximize the use of such school facilities to the surrounding communities and the public in general without adversely impacting District operations, finances and in compliance with all applicable federal, State, and local laws.

Taxpayer Protections: The following taxpayer protections are specifically provided in this Bond Measure and by law:

• Bond funds shall be used only for the school facilities projects identified herein, and not for any other purpose.

• As required by law, an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee shall oversee expenditures of bond funds, and related matters, and shall report to the Board of Education and communicate with the public on such expenditures.

• As required by law, the School District shall conduct annual financial audits and performance audits (using independent auditors) for all bond funds.

• Bond Funds shall not be used for teacher or non-construction related administrator salaries or other non-construction related operating expenses.

Such bond proposition is also for the purpose of making the Poway Unified School District eligible for State matching funds.

Funds from the sale of general obligation bonds issued for School Facilities Improvement District No. 2007-1 of the Poway Unified School District ("Improvement District") would be used to finance the design, construction, acquisition, improvement, installation, restoration, rehabilitation, modernization and improvement of public schools, school sites, school facilities and support facilities of the Poway Unified School District and to provide facilities improvements, upgrades, the acquisition of needed school sites and related facilities and facilities costs as further described below:

To improve the overall educational experience for students within the Improvement District, bond funds will be expended on projects to include design, construction, acquisition, improvement, installation, restoration, rehabilitation, modernization and improvement of public schools, school sites, school facilities and support facilities of the Poway Unified School District including the following existing District school sites and campuses:

• Canyon View Elementary School
• Chaparral Elementary School
• Deer Canyon Elementary School
• Garden Road Elementary School
• Los Penasquitos Elementary School
• Midland Elementary School
• Morning Creek Elementary School
• Painted Rock Elementary School
• Pomerado Elementary School
• Rolling Hills Elementary School
• Sundance Elementary School
• Sunset Hills Elementary School
• Tierra Bonita Elementary School
• Turtleback Elementary School
• Valley Elementary School
• Westwood Elementary School
• Bernardo Heights Middle School
• Black Mountain Middle School
• Meadowbrook Middle School
• Twin Peaks Middle School
• Abraxas High School
• Mt. Carmel High School
• Poway High School
• Rancho Bernardo High School

Technology:

• Update classroom and library computers
• Create central computer labs for instruction and research
• Install wireless data system equipment
• Increase bandwidth capability to facilitate retrieval and exchange of information electronically
• Add interactive communications technologies to every classroom
• Upgrade alarm and communications (voice and video) systems

• Upgrade, reinforce or replace foundations, walls and roofs to meet current building and seismic codes
• Replace deteriorating exposed wood surfaces with more durable material
• Reinforce and/or replace deteriorated wood members
• Replace aging roofing surfaces and flashing
• Upgrade surface protections

• Increase use of durable, sustainable and recyclable building materials
• Add under-roof insulation to conserve energy
• Upgrade windows for energy conservation
• Install skylights to lessen reliance on artificial lighting

• Upgrade and expand library space and equipment
• Increase access to electronically available research opportunities
• Update and add computers

• Upgrade restroom facilities and replace non-compliant fixtures
• Provide ramps and other required accessible paths of travel
• Provide handicapped drop-off areas and curb cuts
• Provide wheelchair seating areas in assembly spaces
• Provide assisted listening devices
• Upgrade fire alarms for the hard-of-hearing
• Provide new signage including Braille lettering

• Complete fencing around entire property, including lockable gates
• Change classroom door locks so they can be locked from inside the room
• Relocate main school entry door to exterior wall
• Install video monitoring systems at secondary schools
• Remove overgrown vegetation and increase visibility

• Replace aging, overhanging trees and limbs
• Improve drainage
• Slope stabilization
• Install storm water drainage systems to comply with Federal Clean Water Act discharge requirement (keep streams and beaches clean)

• Upgrade science classrooms with the latest equipment and technology
• Add science laboratories to ensure equal opportunity for all secondary school campuses

• Upgrade centralized control systems for efficient operation and monitoring
• Install energy efficient lighting, cooling and ventilating equipment and energy systems
• Replace non-compliant (no longer produced CFC) central chillers
• Replace out-dated equipment with energy-efficient heating and cooling units
• Add fire hydrants on campuses to better protect schools
• Acquire or install energy generation systems and facilities
• Install sprinkler systems inside buildings for fire protection
• Replace deteriorating sewer and water pipes

• Upgrade kitchens to current health code standards
• Remove food serving windows from multipurpose rooms to allow concurrent use of facilities
• Install permanent, covered, outside eating areas

• Remove or mitigate lead containing materials (mostly paint)
• Remove or encapsulate asbestos containing materials
• Provide improved storage areas for flammables and chemicals

• Upgrade sports areas to provide equity between boys and girls team participation
• Provide upgraded sports, athletic, recreation and exercise facilities and equipment for improved student health and activity

• Replace all portables over twenty-five years old with permanent classrooms or newer portable classrooms
• Upgrade interiors of new portables

• Upgrade facilities to enhance learning outside normal classroom age-group and hours and meet current licensing requirement

Proceeds of the Bonds will be used to design, acquire, construct, and equip new elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools throughout the District. Acquisition and construction projects would include, but not be limited to, site acquisition, classrooms, offices, cafeterias, gymnasiums, playing fields and other athletic facilities, stadiums, school grounds, auditoriums, science and computer labs, libraries, restrooms, and other school facilities. The exact size, configuration, and location of each school will be determined by the Board of Education based on the needs of the District.

Project costs for the above-referenced projects may include site preparation, installation costs, engineering and design costs, project management costs and related costs. Project costs may also include the payment of lease payments for lease of authorized facilities, property or buildings and payment of costs and expenses for interim financing of authorized facilities (including, but not limited to, financing delivery costs). The project also includes payment and prepayment of existing or future lease obligations of Poway Unified School District to finance and complete the within-referenced projects. Allowable project costs also include: costs of issuing the bonds or other securities (as authorized under California law), informational distribution costs and election costs authorized under State law. Funding for these projects may come from this bond measure or other District resources as the school facilities needs arise.

In preparing the foregoing list, the Board of Education of the Poway Unified School District has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs. Approval of the District's bond measure does not guarantee that all of the identified projects within this list will be funded beyond what can be completed with local funds generated by the bond measure and does not guarantee that the projects will be completed in any particular order. The District will also pursue funds from the State of California to complete certain of the identified facilities projects. The foregoing project list assumes that the District would also receive some State matching funds.

No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, acquisition, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, or replacement of schools, school sites and school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities as identified herein, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and non-construction related administrator salaries and other non-construction related operating expenses.