January 2010
Dear Parents:
Happy New Year! At Alpine schools, we are committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of education for our youth and look forward to a successful 2010.
Our schools are the center of the community, and we need to improve them so that all our children have the same high quality classrooms and facilities. We are undergoing a process to assess our facilities needs and consider our financing options. We have identified the following priorities:
- Provide improved classroom technology, computers and data and electrical wiring systems
- Replace old plumbing fixtures with low flow fixtures to conserve water
- Modernize outdated classrooms and replace existing HVAC systems
- Install photovoltaics and improve heating systems so less money is spent on energy and is instead spent educating our children
The District currently spends $200,000 annually on energy costs. By installing photovoltaics and improving heating systems, we can cut these costs by 80% and immediately improve our budget outlook. The Board of Trustees is reviewing finance options and is considering the placement of a general obligation bond measure on the ballot to fund the proposed improvements. The proposed bond measure would authorize additional projects by extending and not increasing taxes. The current bond assessment on your property tax bill is scheduled to expire in 2025. This would extend that assessment to 2050 without increasing the annual amount.
The earliest a bond measure could be on the ballot is June 2010. Any proposed bond measure would require an independent oversight committee and annual audits to ensure money is used only for voter approved school improvements and repairs and not used for salaries, administration, and overhead.
We will keep you informed regarding our facility planning efforts. If we proceed with this measure, we ask your support and participation in this effort to improve our schools. A fact sheet is attached that contains answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. Should you have further questions, please contact me at (619) 445-3236.
Sincerely,
Greg Ryan
Superintendent
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
January 2010
Q. What is the proposed measure and what would it do?
A. The proposed measure is an $11 million general obligation bond authorization that will:
· Provide improved classroom technology, computers and data and electrical wiring systems
· Replace old plumbing fixtures with low flow fixtures to conserve water
· Modernize outdated classrooms and replace existing HVAC systems
· Install photovoltaics and improve heating systems so less money is spent on energy and is instead spent educating our children
Q. What are General Obligation (G.O.) Bonds?
A. G.O. Bonds fund the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities; including the furnishing and equipping of schools. Similar to a home loan, G.O. bonds are repaid over time.
Q. How would the bonds be repaid?
A. The loan repayment comes from a tax on all property located within the District’s boundaries. The tax rate for repayment is determined by the assessed valuation, not market value. Assessed valuation is the value placed on property by the County pursuant to Proposition 13 and is typically much lower than the market value for which a property may be sold.
Q. How much would it cost?
A. The proposed bond measure would authorize additional projects by extending and not increasing taxes. The current tax rate is estimated to be $21.20 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. That tax is scheduled to expire in 2025. This would simply extend it to 2050 without increasing it.
Q. What safeguards exist for taxpayers?
A. State law requires a detailed list of all projects. Only projects identified on the detailed project list may be funded from the measure. In addition, the proposed measure includes guaranteed annual audits and an independent oversight committee to ensure money is used only for voter approved school improvements and repairs and not used for salaries, administration or overhead.
Q. What about other sources of funding?
A. The General Fund is budgeted in large part on annual funds from the State to cover the ongoing costs of running our schools, including teacher salaries, and does not account for school repairs and construction needs. State law prohibits the use of lottery funds for the repair or construction of school facilities.
Q. What happens if the proposed measure fails?
A. The proposed improvements would be delayed and the facilities needs at our schools would continue to escalate with time.
Q. Who can vote if there is an election?
A. All the registered voters who live within the boundaries of the Alpine Union School District are eligible to vote on the proposed measure. The earliest an election could be scheduled is Tuesday, June 8, 2010.