Pass: 2041 / 70.9% Yes votes ...... 837 / 29.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Proceeds from the sale of bonds may be used by the District only for the construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of its school facilities, including furnishing and equipping its school facilities, acquisition, or lease of real property for its school facilities and construction management by District personnel. In particular, the proceeds of the bonds authorized by this proposition must be used to repair, construct and equip new permanent and renovated permanent facilities on the Rowe campus to replace aging and temporary classrooms, restrooms and the administrative building.

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 could 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 on or before maturity.

California Constitution Article XIIIA 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) 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 the Rancho Santa Fe School District to issue and sell $34,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

A "no" vote is a vote against authorizing the Rancho Santa Fe School District to issue and sell $34,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

For over 10 years, the District has sought a solution to aging buildings, overcrowding, temporary portable classrooms, and traffic congestion at the existing Rowe School. Past controversy over previous second-site options has divided our community.

THERE ARE NO VIABLE SECOND SITES AVAILABLE

Now, after an exhaustive review of available sites, community surveys and community meetings, the School Board has determined there are no viable second sites foreseeably available that meet the District's needs and enjoy adequate community support to proceed with development.

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER NOW

To ensure our children get the quality facilities they deserve, Proposition E will renovate and upgrade the Rowe School:

• Replace portable classrooms and restrooms with permanent buildings.
• Renovate or replace aging permanent buildings to bring them up to modern standards.
• Provide a Technology Center, Science Labs and Music Rooms.
• Upgrade utilities, equipment and furnishings to provide a 21st-century learning environment.
• Improve traffic circulation around the school, provide additional on-campus parking, and ensure safe access for parents and students.
• Renovate playgrounds and the sports field to improve safety and increase usability.

• Proposition E is a cost-effective solution to meet the needs of our students today.
• It unifies our community and keeps our kids together.
• It maintains our unique K-8 grade configuration.
• In addition to the Proposition E improvements at the current Rowe School, the School Board may acquire some adjacent property with other funds for additional parking, playing fields, and other improvements, if it becomes available.

YES ON "E" = EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

R. ROGER ROWE
Retired Superintendent
Rancho Santa Fe School District

ARIE ADDARIO
Board President
Rancho Santa Fe Association

LYNDA CLERKE
Parent and Elfin Forest resident

DR. KEITH KANNER
Parent and Cielo resident

JIM ASHCRAFT

 Board President

Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District

The following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Rancho Santa Fe School District.

Rancho Santa Fe School District Rowe Renovation Measure. To provide competitive educational facilities, reduce overcrowding, renovate playgrounds, improve campus safety, improve traffic circulation and provide technology upgrades, shall the Rancho Santa Fe School District issue $34 million of bonds at legal rates to repair, construct and equip new permanent and renovated facilities on the Rowe campus to replace aging and temporary classrooms, restrooms and administrative building, and before selling bonds appoint a Citizens' Oversight Committee to perform financial audits and protect taxpayer interests?

Over the past decade, the Board of Trustees has completed an exhaustive study of the options available for solving the overcrowding and inadequate facility issues in the Rancho Santa Fe School District. The Board of Trustees has determined that the Rowe Campus renovation is the only viable solution at this time. In an effort to help provide the District with input that will meet with voter approval, the community has participated in numerous surveys and community meetings. The Board of Trustees has determined that providing adequate classroom and instructional space is a primary objective of the District and is a critical element to ensure a productive learning environment for students. The Rowe Campus currently has 17 temporary portable classroom buildings, temporary portable restrooms, lacks adequate facilities for science labs, music and sports activities, and has traffic circulation and safety issues. To accommodate current and future needs and to enhance the educational opportunities for the students in the District, the Board has determined that the existing school facilities and equipment within the Rancho Santa Fe School District need to be improved and replaced with new permanent classroom buildings and a new multi-purpose room, science labs, renovated playground areas and competitive facilities. The Board of Trustees will make use of funding offered by the state for new construction and modernization to the extent available. This program will maintain the unified K-8 grade configuration on the Rowe campus.

Renovation

The Rancho Santa Fe School District will:

• Remove 17 temporary portable classrooms and construct new, competitive, permanent classroom buildings with necessary infrastructure, including utilities and parking.

• Include within the design of the new facilities a Technology/Media Center, Science Labs, Music Rooms, and study areas for educational programs.

• Construct traffic improvements and additional on-campus parking to facilitate traffic circulation and safety for primary and secondary access to the school site and as required for the renovation.

• Provide necessary furnishings and equipment for classrooms and administrative buildings appropriate to support all educational programs.

• Renovate playground areas and reconfigure the sports field area for efficient use.

• Construct a new Administrative Services Building for the District and school administration, school nurse and parent services.

Requirements for Use of Bond Proceeds

In order to ensure stringent accountability so that bond funds are spent prudently, and only as promised and specified, the District has adopted the following requirements for the bonds and the Renovation to be funded with the bonds:

• Bond proceeds will only be used for the purposes set forth in the ballot measure and not to pay for teachers' or administrators' salaries or other District operating expenses. By law, all funds can only be spent on repair and improvement renovations.

• Independent performance and financial audits will be conducted annually and all bond expenditures will be monitored by an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee.

• Funds will not be allocated until the Rancho Santa Fe School Board of Trustees has satisfied its environmental review obligations for the renovation under CEQA.