Ballot Proposition Measure BB November 7, 2006

FULL TEXT BALLOT PROPOSITION

OF THE SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOND MEASURE ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 2006

Santa Monica-Malibu Schools Safety and Repair Measure“: “To improve health, safety, class instruction by

  • Upgrading, acquiring, constructing, repairing and equipping classrooms, science labs, local neighborhood schools, sites and facilities;
  • Repairing, renovating outdated classrooms, bathrooms, plumbing, leaky roofs, computer technology, fire safety equipment;
  • Improving handicapped student accessibility;
  • Earthquake-retrofitting classrooms;
  • Removing asbestos and mold;

shall Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District issue $268 million of bonds at legal rates, with guaranteed financial audits, citizen oversight, and no money for administrators’ salaries?”

PRIORITY SCHOOL PROJECTS LIST

The Board of Education of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, enrollment trends, class size, overcrowding, energy efficiency and computer technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded, as outlined in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Draft Interim Facilities Report presented to the Board of Education on July 27, 2006, incorporated herein, and as shall be further amended from time to time. In developing the scope of projects, teachers, staff and community members have prioritized the key health and safety and sustainability (as reflected by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools criteria) needs so that the most critical facility needs are addressed. The Board conducted a facilities evaluation and received public input and review in developing the scope of facility projects to be funded, as listed in the Report. This input of teacher and community leaders concluded that if these needs were not addressed now, the problem would only get worse. In approving this Priority School Projects List, the Board of Education makes six important determinations:

(i) the District shall insist that all of its schools be healthy and safe from earthquake risks, hazardous materials such as asbestos, mold and fire dangers; and

(ii) in repairing aging schools, priority shall be given to basic repairs, such as leaky roofs, plumbing, electrical and utility systems; and

(iii) the District must replace deteriorating, 30-year old school restrooms with modern facilities; and

(iv) the District must manage class size by repairing existing classrooms and building new classrooms, particularly so that students can improve their academic performance; and

(v) the District must not only install and upgrade fire prevention, security and emergency response systems at every school so that all students are safe but in making all repairs apply energy saving and sustainability standards as well as principles of Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHIPS); and

(vi) 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 transferred to the State or any other agency.

The Report and Bond Project List are on file at the District Office of the Superintendent and include the following types projects:

PRIORITY SCHOOL PROJECTS

School Renovation, Repair and Upgrade Projects

  • All schools will benefit from the renovation, repair and upgrade of deteriorating, outdated facilities and equipment.
  • Repair and upgrade 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.
  • Replace existing plumbing systems to meet current codes, including the elimination of lead-containing fixtures.
  • Upgrade bathrooms.
  • Replace older heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems with building code compliant, energy efficient systems.
  • Install code-compliant ventilating systems in bathrooms.
  • Provide enhanced computer labs.
  • Upgrade and equip science labs, multipurpose rooms, athletic facilities, kitchens, auditoriums, libraries, arts and music rooms, childcare, preschool and adult education facilities.
  • Classroom interiors will receive new paint, carpet/vinyl tile/asbestos abatement, white markerboards, tackable surfaces, increase secure storage capacity for instructional materials and equipment.
  • Replace existing window systems with energy efficient systems.
  • Federal and State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades including site access, parking, staff and student restrooms, relocation of some existing electrical devices, drinking fountains, playground equipment, etc.
  • Expand nurse/health aide facilities.
  • Remodel administrative and educational support spaces.
  • Expand library services to include computers.
  • Install ultraviolet lights in heating and air cooling units to minimize airborne mold particulates for improved indoor air quality.
  • Repair aging schools.

School Health and Safety and Site Projects

All schools and school sites will benefit from health and safety projects, such as:

  • Remove all asbestos, mold and all hazardous materials.
  • Fire alarm systems upgraded to automatic systems, repair fire safety equipment.
  • Inspect for/repair “pinhole” gas pipe leaks.
  • Replace/upgrade existing signage, bells and clocks.
  • Install/replace/upgrade security fencing.
  • Replace/upgrade existing security and irrigation systems.
  • Install solar and energy efficient systems.
  • Install new security systems.
  • Federal and State-mandated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety upgrades including site playground equipment replacement.
  • Relocate or improve student drop-off areas, including a separate area for buses.
  • Inspect and improve play area fields for safety and drainage.
  • Replace existing wooden doors and doorframes with metal doors and doorframes.
  • Upgrade school site parking, utilities and grounds.
  • Repair termite damage to structures and doors/doorframes.
  • Retrofit schools and classrooms for earthquake safety, as required by State law.

District-Wide Wiring and Technology For Effective Learning Environment Projects

  • Upgrade and expand wireless systems, telecommunications, internet and network connections.
  • Upgrade and replace computers, hardware and software systems.
  • Upgrade and replace classrooms equipment and instructional aids.
  • Upgrade media and audio/visual equipment.
  • Install Smart Boards in classrooms.

New Construction Projects at School Sites

Some schools would benefit from the construction and expansion of additional facilities, such as:

  • Multi-Purpose Room, including the cafeteria, serving kitchen, staff and student bathrooms, storage, administrative and educational support spaces, and classrooms.
  • New classrooms/classroom buildings.
  • Lunch shelters for outdoor activities.
  • ADA accessibility upgrades as mandated by the Division of the State Architect (DSA).
  • Additional electrical service capacity.
  • Additional staff and student bathrooms.

Listed building, repair and rehabilitation projects and upgrades 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 for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed repair and construction projects stated above, the Priority School Projects List also includes the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including school buses, the reduction or retirement of outstanding lease obligations, the construction of new schools, if necessary to serve students, the acquisition of land, the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews, environmental studies and construction documentation, the acquisition of outstanding ground leases, temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects and the leasing or acquisition of a transportation lot for school buses. The allocation of bond proceeds will 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 will not be able to complete some of the projects listed above. Certain projects may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public agencies. 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 more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration 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, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. 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.