Brentwood Union School District

Measure B - 55% Approval Required

The California Constitution provides that school districts may issue bonds for the 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, with the approval of 55% of the voters voting at an election for that purpose.   By resolution, the Brentwood Union School District has proposed that bonds of the District be issued in an amount up to $158,000,000. This measure provides that proceeds from the sale of the bonds will generally be used to “provide Brentwood students with 21st century classrooms, upgrade libraries and science labs, improve school safety and security, expand access to classroom technology for students and teachers, renovate and modernize older schools in the District, build a new elementary school, and replace, acquire, construct and renovate school facilities.” specific projects are set forth in the bond project list attached to the resolution of the Board of Trustees. The measure provides that a citizens’ oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond proceeds are properly expended and that annual performance and financial audits will be conducted. The measure further provides that bond proceeds will only be used for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities.   Approval of this measure authorizes the levy of ad valorem taxes upon taxable property to repay the bonded indebtedness, both principal and interest, in each year that bonds are outstanding. The Brentwood Union School District has prepared a Tax Rate Statement, which represents the school district’s best estimates of the property tax rates required to service the bonds. The estimated highest tax rate required to be levied to fund the bonds is expected to be $28.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation over the life of the bonds. Approval of the measure does not guarantee that the bonds will generate sufficient funds to allow completion of all of the proposed project or projects on the bond project list. The District has determined that the projects to be funded from the proposed bonds will not require State matching funds.

An election will be held in the Brentwood Union School District (the “District”) on June 7, 2016, to authorize the sale of up to $158,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to issue the Bonds in multiple series over time. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax leviesmade upon the taxable property in the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400 through 9404 of the California Elections Code.   1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 2.750 cents per $100 ($27.50 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2016-17.   2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 2.795 cents per $100 ($27.95 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2025-26.   3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 2.800 cents per $100 ($28.00 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2033-34.   4. The best estimate of the total debt service, including the principal and interest, that would be required to be repaid if all of the bonds are issued and sold is $393,288,851.     Voters should note that estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County’s official tax rolls, not on the property’s market value, which could be more or less than the assessed value.     In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner’s exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property’s assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.   Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District’s projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply, and the actual total debt service, may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% affirmative vote. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.   Dated:   2/25, 2016.   Superintendent of Schools   Brentwood Union School District

  
CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT MEASURE

This  Proposition  may  be  known  and  referred  to  as  the  “Brentwood  Union  School  District  Construction,  Renovation and Improvement Measure” or as “Measure B”.

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By  approval  of  this  proposition  by  at  least  55%  of  the  registered  voters  voting  on  the  proposition,  the  Brentwood  Union  School  District  (the  “District”)  shall  be  authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $158,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed under the heading entitled “BOND PROJECT LIST” below (the “Bond Project List”),  subject  to  all  of  the  accountability  safeguards specified below.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS

The  provisions  in  this  section  are  specifically included   in   this   proposition   in   order   that   the   voters   and  taxpayers  of  the  District  may  be  assured  that  their  money will be spent to address specific facilities needs of  the  District,  all  in  compliance  with  the  requirements  of  Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution, and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds  Act  of  2000  (codified  at  Sections  15264  and following of the California Education Code (the “Education Code”)).

Evaluation of Needs

 The Board of Education of the District (the “Board”) has prepared an updated facilities master  plan  in  order  to  evaluate  and  address  all  of  the  facilities needs of the District at each campus and facility, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated  safety,  class  size  reduction  and  information  technology needs in developing the Bond Project List.

Limitations on Use of Bonds

 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,  or  the  acquisition  or  lease of real property for school facilities, including, to the extent permitted by law, the acquisition or lease of real  property  in  connection  with  an  existing  or  future  financing of the specific school facilities projects listed in  the  Bond  Project  List,  including  the  prepayment of  existing  or  future  interim  lease,  certificate  of participation or lease revenue bond financings, and not  for  any  other  purpose,  including  teacher  and  administrator   salaries   and   other   school   operating   expenses.

Independent  Citizens’ Oversight Committee

 The Board shall establish an independent citizens’  oversight  committee  (pursuant  to  Education  Code  Section  15278  and  following),  to  ensure  bond  proceeds  are  expended  only  for  the  school  facilities  projects listed in the Bond Project List. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the  results  of  the  election  appear  in  the  minutes  of  the Board. 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  a  parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization. No employee or official of the District and no vendor, contractor or consultant  of  the  District  shall  be  appointed  to  the  citizens’ oversight committee.

Annual Performance Audits

 The Board shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure  that  the  bond  proceeds  have  been  expended  only  on  the  school  facilities  projects  listed  in  the Bond Project List. These audits shall be conducted in accordance  with  the  Government  Auditing  Standards  issued by the Comptroller General of the United States for  performance  audits.    The  results  of  these  audits  shall be made publicly available and shall be submitted to the citizens’ oversight committee in accordance with Section 15286 of the Education Code.

Annual  Financial  Audits

 The  Board  shall  conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent  for  the  school  facilities  projects  listed  in  the Bond Project List. These audits shall be conducted in accordance  with  the  Government  Auditing  Standards  issued by the Comptroller General of the United States for financial audits.  The results of these audits shall be made publicly available and shall be submitted to the  citizens’  oversight  committee  in  accordance  with  Section 15286 of the Education Code.

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 January 1, 2017, 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.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

Joint-Use  Projects

  The  District  may  enter  into agreements with other public agencies or nonprofit 0rganizations for joint use of school facilities financed with the proceeds of the bonds in accordance with Education Code  Section  17077.42  (or  any  successor  provision).  The District may seek State grant funds for eligible joint-use projects as permitted by law, and this proposition hereby specifies and acknowledges that bond funds will or may be used to fund all or a portion of the local share for any eligible joint-use projects identified in the Bond Project List or as otherwise permitted by California State regulations, as the Board shall determine.

Single Purpose

 All  of   the  purposes   enumerated   in   this   proposition   shall   be   united and  voted  upon  as  one  single  proposition,  pursuant  to   Education   Code   Section   15100,   and   all   the   enumerated  purposes  shall  constitute  the  specific single  purpose  of  the  bonds,  and  proceeds  of  the  bonds shall be spent only for such purpose, pursuant to California Government Code Section 53410.

Bonds may be Issued in Excess of Statutory Bonding Limit

 Issuance of all of the authorized bonds might  require  the  outstanding  debt  of  the  District  to  exceed  its  statutory  bonding  limit  of  1.25%  of  the  total  assessed  valuation  of  taxable  property  in  the  District. 
In that event, the District intends to seek a waiver of its bonding limit from the State Board of Education, which has  the  power  to  waive  certain  requirements  of  the  Education  Code  applicable  to  the  District.  By  approval  of  this  proposition,  the  voters  have  authorized  the  District to seek such a waiver, and to issue authorized bonds in excess of the 1.25% limit as the State Board of Education may approve. No such waiver has yet been sought or granted.

Other   Terms   of   the   Bonds

 When   sold,   the  bonds  shall  bear  interest  at  an  annual  rate  not  exceeding  the  statutory  maximum,  and  that  interest  shall  be  made  payable  at  the  time  or  times  permitted  by  law.  The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature more than the statutory maximum  number  of  years  from  the  date  borne  by  that  bond.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The  Bond  Project  List  below  lists  the  specific projects  the  District  proposes  to  finance  with  proceeds of the bonds. The Bond Project List shall be considered
a part of the bond proposition and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition. Listed projects will be completed as  needed  at  a  particular  school  or  facility  site  according to  Board-established  priorities,  and  the  order  in  which such projects appear on the Bond Project List is not an indication of priority for funding or completion. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, construction-related costs, such as project and  construction  management,  architectural,  engineering, inspection and similar planning and testing costs, demolition and  interim  housing  costs,  legal,  accounting  and  similar fees, costs related to the independent annual financial and performance  audits,  a  contingency  for  unforeseen  design
and  construction  costs,  and  other  costs  incidental  to  and necessary for completion of the listed projects (whether the related  work  is  performed  by  the  District  or  third  parties).  The final cost of each project 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  have  not  yet  been  secured.  Therefore, the Board cannot guarantee that the bonds will provide  sufficient  funds  to  allow  completion  of  all  listed projects. Alternatively,  if  the  District  obtains  unexpected funds  from  non-bond  sources  with  respect  to  listed projects, such projects may be enhanced, supplemented or expanded to the extent of such funds. Some projects may be subject to further government approvals, includingby State officials and boards and/or local environmental or agency approval. Inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List is not a guarantee that the project will be completed.

The specific projects authorized to be financed with proceeds of the bonds under this proposition are as follows:

CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The following projects are authorized to be financed at all school sites and support facilities, including:

Adams Middle School
Brentwood Elementary School
Bristow Middle School
Loma Vista Elementary School
Marsh Creek Elementary School
Mary Casey Black Elementary School
Edna Hill Middle School
Garin Elementary School
Krey ElementerySchool
Pioneer ElementarySchool
Ron Nunn ElementarySchool

CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES

•  Construct  and  equip  new  classrooms,  classroom buildings,   laboratories,   school   support   facilities,  music, theater, dance and other arts facilities, libraries,
lecture  halls,  restrooms,  building  connections,  and operations and maintenance facilities.

•  Modernize,  upgrade,  renovate,  rehabilitate,  re-configure, expand, upgrade and equip classrooms, classroom buildings, laboratories, restrooms, common areas and    school support facilities, including library, multipurpose room/auditorium, food storage, preparation and service, cafeteria, music, theater, dance and other arts, career and  technical education, preschool, operations and maintenance, and office, staff and administrative support facilities, whether permanent, portable  or  modular,  including
interior and exterior (as applicable) doors, windows, door and window hardware, roofs, rain gutters and downspouts, walls, ceilings and floors and finishes, paint, siding, insulation, casework, cabinets, secured storage, carpets, drapes, window coverings, infrastructure, lighting, sinks, drinking fountains, fixtures, signage, fencing, landscaping, furniture and equipment.

• Renovate,  restore,  re-configure  and/or  modernize portable  buildings  or  replace  such  buildings  with permanent or modular buildings.
• Construct,  renovate,  restore,  re-configure  and/or modernize  multi-purpose/performing  art  centers  at middle schools.

• Furnish  and  equip  classrooms  and  other  school facilities,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  desks,  chairs and classroom furniture, science and lab equipment,
school-site maintenance equipment, copy machines, “cubicle”  partitions,  chairs,  storage  units  and  school office  equipment,  including  initial  purchases  and
continued replacement of equipment and furniture as needed.

• Improve,  correct,  restore  or  renovate  grounds, buildings and structures or portions thereof to eliminate or mitigate health and safety risks to students, faculty,
staff,  parents  and  the  public  or  comply  with  local, state and federal building, health, safety, access and other  related  requirements,  including  seismic  safety
requirements,  Field  Act  requirements  and  access requirements  of  the  Americans  with  Disabilities  Act (ADA).

• Inspect buildings and other structures and renovate, replace and/or improve such structures to eliminate/mitigate any structural deficiencies or dry rot, termite, mold or similar damage or hazards.

All or portions of these projects may be used as joint-use projects within the meaning of Section 17077.42(c) of the Education Code (or any successor provision).

EXTERIOR & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS

•  Acquire and install exterior safety lighting.

•  Acquire and install safety and security systems, hard-ware and fixtures.

•  Acquire and install campus signage.

•  Construct, improve, replace, renovate and rehabilitate walkways, covered walkways, breezeways and sidewalks.

•  Landscape  and  improve  irrigation  and  drainage of grounds.

•  Expand  or  construct  new  storage  and  maintenance buildings and/or facilities.

•  Install, improve, replace or upgrade exterior campus fencing.

•  Resurface,  refurbish,  renovate,  and  paint  building exteriors as needed.

•  Construct,  modernize,  improve,  renovate,  replace, reconfigure,  convert, and equip quads, courtyards and  other  outdoor  areas,  including  installation  or
improvement of seating, tables and outdoor gathering amenities.

•  Renovate,    repair,    resurface,    upgrade,    expand, construct and/or install and improve paved and other hard   surfaces   (including   playgrounds),   benches, 
walls, gates, fencing, play areas, quads, courtyards, outside  instructional  areas,  playfields,  and  running tracks, including physical education fields and related
facilities,   and   acquire,   improve,   replace   and/or  upgrade playground, physical education and outdoor area equipment and fixtures.

 

All or portions of these projects may be used as joint-use projects within the meaning of Section 17077.42(c) of the Education Code (or any successor provision).

• Construct, improve, replace, renovate and  rehabilitate internet   or   other   network   access   systems,   and  telephone, radio, fire alarm, public address, intrusion
alarm and surveillance and other security systems.

• Renovate,  replace,  upgrade,  acquire,  install  and/or  integrate  major  site/building/utility  systems, equipment  and  related  infrastructure  and  housing, including   lighting,   plumbing,   electrical   (including wiring  and   related  infrastructure  for  modern technology),   heating,   refrigeration,   cooling   and  ventilation,  water,  sewer,  gas,  irrigation,  drainage, and  energy  efficiency/management  monitoring systems, networks, fixtures, equipment and controls.

All or portions of these projects may be used as joint-use projects within the meaning of Section 17077.42(c) of the Education Code (or any successor provision).

NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

Acquisition and construction of a new elementary school, and if determined to be needed in the discretion of, and as determined by, the Board of Education of the District,
a new middle school, and, in each case, related facilities, including:

• Acquisition  of  land  and  any  rights-of-way  andeasements made necessary by construction of such facilities.

• Planning, designing, and constructing the school and related facilities, including costs related to construction services,   architectural   design,   engineering,   site inspection and testing services and plan review fees.

• Associated onsite and offsite development, demolition of existing structures, and other improvements made necessary for construction of such facilities.

• Construction  of  such  school  and  related  facilities and    grounds,    including    necessary    supporting infrastructure.

• Acquisition   and   installation   of   furnishings   and  equipment related to the constructed facilities.

All or portions of these facilities may be used as joint-use projects within the meaning of Section 17077.42(c) of the Education Code (or any successor provision).

MISCELLANEOUS

All  listed  bond  projects  include  the  following  as needed:

•  Acquisition  of  all  or  a  portion  of  any  school  site or  facility,  or  an  interest  therein,  or  make  lease payments  with  respect  to  any  school  site  or  facility, encumbered  in  order  to  finance  or  refinance  the listed bond projects pursuant to a lease, certificate of participation or lease revenue bond financing.

•  Planning, designing and providing temporary housing necessary for listed bond projects.

•  The  inspection,  sampling  and  analysis  of  grounds, buildings  and  building  materials  to  determine  the presence  of  hazardous  materials  or  substances,
including asbestos, lead, etc., and the encapsulation, removal, disposal and other remediation or control of such hazardous materials and substances.

•  Necessary onsite and offsite preparation or restoration in  connection  with  new  construction,  renovation  or remodeling,  or  installation  or  removal of  relocatable
buildings,    including    demolition    of    structures; removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, drainage, utility  lines  (gas,  water,  sewer,  electrical,  data  anvoice,   etc.),   trees   and   landscaping;   relocating  fire  access  roads  and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, land or rights of way made  necessary  by  listed  bond  projects.

•  Address  other  unforeseen  conditions  revealed  by construction,  renovation  or  modernization  (including plumbing  or gas line  breaks, dry rot, seismic  and structural deficiencies, etc.).

•  Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities  scheduled  for modernization, if  the  Board of Education of the District determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses.

•  Acquire or construct storage facilities and other space on  an  interim  basis,  as  needed  to  accommodate construction  materials,  equipment,  and  personnel, and  interim  classrooms  (including  relocatables)  for students  and  school  functions  or  other  storage  for classroom materials displaced during construction.

•  Furnishing  and  equipping  of  classrooms  and other   school   facilities;   furnishing   and   equipping shall  include  initial  purchases,  and  scheduled  and necessary  replacements,  upgrades  and  updating  of technology.

•  All other costs and work necessary and incidental to the listed bond projects.

 

• Acquisition of all or a portion of any school site or facility, or an interest therein, or make lease payments with respect to any school site or facility, encumbered in order to finance or refinance the listed bond projects pursuant to a lease, certificate of participation or lease revenue bond financing.