- Mt Pleasant Elementary School District
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Impartial Analysis
Approval of Measure L does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects in the Mount Pleasant School District that are the subject of bonds under Measure L will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by Measure L. 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.
Upon approval of 55% of the votes cast by voters in an election, California law permits school districts to issue bonds, secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property within a district, for the purpose of 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.
The Board of Trustees (Board) of the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District (District) proposes issuing bonds in the amount of $25,000,000. As identified in the measure, bond proceeds would be used to (1) upgrade classrooms; (2) remove asbestos and hazardous materials; (3) repair dry rot, termite and structural damage; (4) upgrade wiring and fire alarms for safety; (5) repair deteriorating restrooms; (6) replace leaky roofs; and (7) construct, acquire and renovate, classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities.
Proceeds of the bonds could not be used for teacher and administrator salaries, or other school operating expenses. The District would conduct performance and financial audits, and appoint an independent citizens' oversight committee to ensure bond proceeds are expended as promised.
The District's best estimate of the tax rate to be levied to fund the proposed bond issue is $30.00 per $100,000 during the first fiscal year after the first sale of the bonds. The District's best estimate of the tax rate to be levied to fund the proposed bond issue is $30.00 per $100,000 during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds. The District's best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue is $30.00 per $100,000 per fiscal year of assessed valuation.
A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds in the amount of $25,000,000 to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within the District.
A "no" vote is a vote not to authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds in the amount of $25,000,000 to be secured by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property located within the District.
Lori E. Pegg
Acting County CounselBy: s/ Susan Swain
Lead Deputy County CounselThe following is the full proposition presented to the voters by the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District.
"To facilitate math, science, reading/writing programs in local elementary/middle schools by upgrading classrooms, removing asbestos and hazardous materials, repairing dry rot, termite and structural damage, upgrading wiring and fire alarms for safety, repairing deteriorating restrooms, replacing leaky roofs, and acquiring, renovating, constructing classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, shall Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District issue $25,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators' salaries/pensions/benefits, and all money benefiting local schools?"
PROJECT LIST The Board of Trustees of the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District is committed to safe and secure schools with upgraded classrooms, libraries, science labs, restrooms and technology systems to keep pace with 21st century learning standards. The Board evaluated the District's urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size and computer and information technology and prepared a Facilities Needs Assessment and Master Plan ("Master Plan") dated May 2012 and incorporated herein and available at http://www.mountpleasant.k12.ca.us, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input in developing this Project List. Teachers, staff, community members and the Board have prioritized the key health and safety needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive to address. Therefore, in approving this Project List and the Master Plan, the Board of Trustees determines that the District should:
(i) renovate 40-year old restrooms that are so deteriorated, many children do not use them;
(ii) make schools safe from asbestos and other hazards;
(iii) repair dry rot, termite and other structural damage to our schools so children are safe;
(iv) repair or replace leaky roofs;
(v) upgrade old wiring in order to bring our schools up to current safety standards; and
(vi) adhere to specific FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as:
(a) Sacramento must be prohibited from taking any of the funds raised,
(b) All expenditures must be subject to annual independent financial audits,
(c) No funds can be used for administrators' salaries and pensions,
(d) All funds must be subject to local control,
(e) An independent citizens' oversight committee must be appointed to ensure that all funds are spent only as authorized.
The Project List includes upgrades and improvements at the following schools:
August Boeger Middle School
Ida Jew Academies
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School
Robert Sanders Elementary School
Valla Vista Elementary SchoolSchool Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects Goal and Purpose: Since protecting quality education in local schools and the health, safety and security of our children on campuses requires renovating, repairing and upgrading outdated school buildings, bathrooms, classrooms, computers, technology, school libraries and equipment to give all children have the resources they need to learn and stay up-to-date with the latest advances in technology and education, local schools will benefit from projects including:
- Repair or replace old leaky roofs.
- Make schools safe from asbestos and other hazards.
- Upgrade old wiring in order to bring our schools up to current safety codes.
- Replace 40-year old restrooms and toilets.
- Replace old, inefficient heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
School Health and Safety and Energy Efficiency School Projects Goal and Purpose: Since good, safe and up-to-date schools help protect and improve local property values and reduce maintenance and operating costs, returning more money to the classroom, schools and school sites will benefit from a variety of health and safety projects, such as:
Student Safety
- Replace antiquated fire alarm and safety communication system.
- Upgrade schools to meet accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities.
- Repair or replace unsafe playground equipment.
- Improve parking and traffic circulation for student safety.
Energy Efficiency - Returning Savings to the Classroom - Replace old and inefficient windows, lighting, irrigation, heating and ventilation systems which waste money and use the savings to prevent cuts to teacher and instructional programs.
- Install energy efficient systems to save money and return the savings to the classroom.
Academic and Instructional Technology and Wiring Projects To Continue Improving Student Achievement Goal and Purpose: Since some school buildings are over 50 years old, schools, technology and equipment need to be updated so that our school district students have the same opportunities as others to succeed. Improved computer technology will allow teachers and students to use up-to-date teaching methods and enhance instruction in core academic subjects:
- Provide or upgrade science labs at the middle schools.
- Provide updated classroom computer technology.
- Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, Internet and network connections.
- Construct a middle school gym/performing arts center for students and community use.
- Upgrade classroom technology and teaching equipment to enhance instruction.
- Ensure that all classrooms, have up to date electrical wiring to support 21st Century technology.
*** The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency, and escalation for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List also includes the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, environmental studies, construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, smart boards, sound projection systems, printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgrade voice-over-IP, phone systems, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment and software. The repair of school facilities includes, campus accessibility, utilities, and grounds, playground equipment, security fencing, hard court surfaces, shade structures for student assembly and protecting students from inclement weather during lunch, libraries, District support facilities, fire sensors; upgrade plumbing systems; athletic and play fields turf may be upgraded for safety and operational efficiency; renovate and paint interior and exterior building surfaces to extend their useful life; security, safety and communication systems and equipment; fire alarms and bells; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system upgrades; window and floor coverings (including tiles and carpeting); upgrade irrigation systems; improvements and furnishings and/or other electronic equipment and systems. The Project List also includes the refinancing of any outstanding lease obligations, or the bridge loans taken to initiate voter approved projects. The allocation of bond proceeds may be affected by the District's receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. In the absence of State matching funds, which the District will aggressively pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District may not be able to complete some of the projects listed above. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration and landscaping, may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, redirecting fire access, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property.
Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the specific purposes identified herein. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projects. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL APPOINT A CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, 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. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
No Administrator Salaries: Proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and school administrator salaries and other operating expenses.
Meeting Dates:
- November 14, 2019
- April 16, 2020
Meeting Agendas:
- April 11, 2019
- April 4, 2019 - Cancelled
- November 8, 2018
- May 10, 2015
- May 17, 2016
- October 6, 2015
- November 11, 2016
Meeting Minutes:
- August 10, 2020
- June 30, 2020
- November 8, 2018
- April 12, 2018
- November 16, 2016
- October 6, 2015
- February 10, 2015
- May 17, 2016
Audit Reports:
Files and Documentation:
- Bond Measure L
- Bond Oversight Committee Measure L to JJ
- Amended Resolution L to JJ
- Amended and Restated Bylaws L to JJ