League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Riverside County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Measure Z School Safety; Vocational Education; Classroom Repair Measure Beaumont Unified School District 55% Approval Required Pass: 9,028 / 62.04% Yes votes ...... 5,523 / 37.96% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Z

Growing numbers of gangs and drugs are coming into our region from Los Angeles. To fight back, vote YES on "Z". YES on "Z" gives our students the schools and classroom they need to focus on academics, college preparation, and the job training skills that keep all of our young people on the right track for success in life. YES on "Z" will provide our youth with the focus and training they need to compete for well-paying jobs, community college, or 4-year colleges in today's tough economy: YES on "Z" retains and attracts the BEST TEACHERS in schools serving Beaumont, Banning, Calimesa, and Cherry Valley and keeps class size to 20 students or less in grades K-3, when children need extra attention. YES on "Z" expands VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TRAINING for our local high school students in today's tough economy. YES on "Z" funds the essential projects necessary for the physical education programs that education and health experts agree are important to keep students out of trouble and performing well in school. YES on "Z" STIMULATES OUR ECONOMY by providing millions in construction and related projects, creating jobs for local construction workers and purchasing materials from local merchants. YES on "Z" IMPROVES SAFETY. YES on "Z" upgrades all neighborhood schools, including fencing and lighting to keep intruders off school campuses. Yes on "Z" will fund UPGRADED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS to ensure that police officers and firefighters can quickly communicate with principals and teachers during emergencies such as earthquakes. YES on "Z" is FISCALLY ACCOUNTABLE. By law, an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee must ensure that money is spent as promised. Independent annual audits will also be conducted, and NO money will be spent on administrators' salaries. Join teachers, seniors, and community leaders - VOTE Yes on "Z". By: Sean Balingit    Paula Corcoran, President Beaumont Teachers Assc.    Russ Bogh, Former 65th District Assemblyman (No arguments against Measure Z were submitted)

Tax Rate Statement

To: The voters voting in the November 4, 2008 election on the question of the issuance of $125,000,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Beaumont Unified School District. You are hereby notified in accordance with the Elections Code of the State of California of the following: 1. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds (Fiscal Year 2009-2010), based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is the following: $.02490 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $24.90 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. 2. The best estimate from official sources of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments during the first fiscal year after the last sale of bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows: $.02490 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $24.90 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. First fiscal year after last sale of bonds: 2019-2020 3. The best estimate from official sources of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund principal and interest payments on the bonds and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on assessed valuations available at the time of the election and taking into account estimated future growth, is as follows: $.02490 per $100 of assessed valuation, which equates to $24.90 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. Year of highest tax rate: Tax is projected to be the same every year. Submittal of the foregoing statement has been approved by the Beaumont Unified School District. By: Dr. Barry Kayrell    Superintendent Approval of Measure "Z" does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Beaumont Unified School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure "Z" will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure "Z". The school 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.

Full Text of Measure Z

The following is the full text ballot proposition presented to the voters by the Beaumont Unified School District on November 4, 2008. SCHOOL SAFETY; VOCATIONAL EDUCATION; CLASSROOM REPAIR MEASURE. "To retain/attract excellent teachers, keep students from gangs by upgrading safety, technology security systems, energy efficiency; acquiring land; repairing, constructing, equipping schools/classrooms; adding vocational education/after-school space; fixing leaky roofs; replacing heating/air-conditioning; and qualifying for State matching grants shall Beaumont Unified School District issue $125,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates, with annual financial audits, Independent Citizens' Oversight, and no money for the State or administrators' salaries?" PRIORITY SCHOOL PROJECT LISTS The Board of Trustees of the Beaumont Unified School District evaluated the District's urgent and critical school needs, including school and student safety, quality teacher recruitment and retention, enrollment trends, class size reduction, relieving high school overcrowding, energy efficiency and computer and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded, as outlined in the Beaumont Unified School District Master Facilities Plan (the "Master Plan"), which is incorporated herein. In developing the scope of projects, hundreds of parents, teachers, staff, students and community members have prioritized the key health and safety and sustainability needs so that the most critical school site needs are addressed. The Board of Trustees conducted a thorough evaluation at all school sites and received public input and review in developing the scope of school projects to be funded, as listed in the Master Plan. This evaluation concluded that, if these needs were not addressed now, the problem would only get worse and more expensive to address in the future. In approving this Priority School Projects List, the Board of Trustees determines that: 1. All of its schools should be safe learning environments, free from gang or drug influence; and 2. Retaining and attracting the best teachers is one of the District's top priorities. To do so effectively, the District must provide teachers with adequate classrooms and access to modern learning technology; and 3. The District must expand space for job and vocational training for high school students and increase opportunities for after-school programs that keep students off the street and out of trouble; and 4. The District must give priority to basic repairs, such as leaky roofs, plumbing, electrical and utility systems and repairing and upgrading heating and cooling systems for greater energy efficiency in repairing and improving local schools; and 5. The District must reduce class size by repairing existing classrooms and building new classrooms with the goal of keeping class size under 20 students per teacher K-3; and 6. The District must aggressively apply for State matching funds and spend any local bond money exclusively on schools within the District and shall not allow bond monies to be captured by the State; and 7. The District must promote physical education programs to help students stay out of trouble, focus and perform well in school and needs to fund projects necessary for physical education programs that promote student health and academic performance. The Master Plan includes the types of projects described below to be implemented, as needed, at ALL existing District school sites in the District's cities and unincorporated areas, including Beaumont, Banning, Calimesa and Cherry Valley: Palm Elementary, San Gorgonio Middle, Chavez Elementary, Brookside Elementary, Sundance Elementary, Three Rings Ranch Elementary, Tournament Hills Elementary, Anna Hause Elementary, Mt. View Middle, Beaumont High, as well as Glen View, Beaumont Adult and Wellwood Schools. The Master Plan also addresses the need for new school sites and facilities, and certain of the projects to be completed are described below. Copies of the Master Plan are available at the Beaumont Unified School District Facilities Department. School Health and Safety, and Energy Efficiency School Projects Goal and Purpose: To ensure that students are safe and the learning process is not interrupted by gangs and drugs or juvenile crime, a variety of health and safety projects will be undertaken at the school sites, such as: Upgrade fire alarm system to automatic systems, repair fire safetyequipment, add sprinklers and fire safety doors. Inspect for and repair any gas pipe leaks. Install/replace/upgrade security fencing. Install energy effIcient systems to increase the cost effectiveness of local schools. Upgrade and improve physical education facilities. Install new security systems, such as security (surveillance) cameras, outdoor lighting, fencing, gates and classroom door locks for increased student safety and security. Upgrade emergency communication systems to meet current safety and instructional standards. Upgrade site playground equipment replacement to meet current safety standards. Relocate or improve student drop-off areas for safety, including a separate area for buses. Inspect and improve play area fields for safety and drainage. Provide shade structures, so students have protection during intense heat or frequent windstorms. Classroom Improvements to Enhance Job Training Goal and Purpose: To increase opportunities for career training and technical and job training, as well as to establish after school programs that keep students off the street and out of trouble: Upgrade technology and equipment used in job training programs. Expand space for job and vocational training for high school students that will increase vocational and job training in local high schools helping students get good paying jobs and keeping our local economy strong. Replace portable classrooms and add permanent classrooms, including Career technology (Voc Ed) classrooms. District-Wide Wiring and Instructional Technology For Effective Learning Environment Projects Goal and Purpose: To help attract and retain excellent teachers, to improve current instruction methods and to expand job training programs by applying modern technology infrastructure: Provide and maintain upgraded technology, data and communication equipment. Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, internet and network connections. Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and software systems. Upgrade and replace classroom equipment, computer technology and instructional aids. School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects Goal and Purpose: To allow all students to have the resources they need to learn and excel, projects for the renovation, repair and upgrade of older school buildings, science labs, classrooms, computer learning centers and school libraries and equipment will be undertaken, such as: Repair, upgrade, and replace worn-out leaking roofs. Replace existing wiring systems to meet current electrical and accessibility codes and increased capacity. Additional electrical service capacity to relieve currently overloaded electrical systems. Upgrade aging and deteriorating school restrooms. Replace older heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code and ADA compliant, energy efficient systems. Provide improved, upgraded computer labs. Renovate/upgrade classroom interiors with new paint, carpet/vinyl tile/asbestos abatement and instructional materials and equipment. Replace old, portable classrooms with up-to-date permanent classrooms. Repair aging schools to meet current safety and instructional standards. New Construction Education Enhancement/Class Size Reduction Projects Goal and Purpose: To reduce the severe and unsafe overcrowding at neighborhood schools and to reduce the risk of violence and injury in the event of emergency evacuation, additional school sites and facilities will be needed, such as: Purchase additional acres for Chavez Elementary to comply with California Department of Education requirements for site size for a permanent elementary school. Acquire, construct and equip one or more additional school sites. Listed repairs, rehabilitation, upgrades and new construction projects will be completed as needed at a particular site. Each project funded with bond proceeds may include needed equipment and furniture and will include architectural, engineering, inspection and similar planning costs, construction management costs, bond issuance costs, demolition and interim housing costs, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by final cost estimates and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. The final cost of each project and the priority of the projects to be funded will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State of California grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore, the Board cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. The Board will establish the priority of the projects to be funded and the timing for each project. Certain of the projects may be acquired in advance of the sale of bonds through leases or other financing obtained by the District. Bond proceeds may be used to repay any such financing obtained by the District. No Administrator Salaries. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities or the prepayment of an existing or future interim lease or certificates of participation financing, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other operating expenses. Fiscal Accountability: The expenditure of bond proceeds by the District is subject to stringent financial accountability requirements. Performance and financial audits will be performed annually, and all bond expenditures will be monitored by an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to ensure that funds are spent as promised and specified. In accordance with Section 15282 of the Education Code, the Citizens' Oversight Committee shall consist of at least seven members and shall include a member active in a business organization representing the business community located within the District, a member active in a senior citizens' organization, a member active in a bona fide taxpayers' organization, a member that is a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District, and a member that is both the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization. No District employees or vendors are allowed to serve on the Citizens' Oversight Committee. Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board shall take actions necessary to establish an account in which proceeds of the sale of bonds will be deposited. As long as any proceeds of the bonds remain unexpended, the Superintendent of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than January 1 of each year, commencing the first January 1 that occurs after the delivery of the proceeds of the bonds to the District, stating (a) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (b) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as the Superintendent of the District shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit or other appropriate routine report to the Board. The board will appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent audits to assure that funds are spent only on school and classroom improvements and for no other purposes.