Grossmont Union High School District

Prop U Ballot Language

To better prepare local high school students for college and high demand jobs, by upgrading educational technology, constructing science labs, replacing deteriorated portables, rehabilitating aging classrooms/equipment/sites/joint-use facilities, improving safety/energy-efficiency, and constructing a new school in Alpine/Blossom Valley; shall Grossmont Union High School District issue $417,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, qualifying for State matching funds, with independent oversight, annual audits, no funding for administrator salaries, and all money benefiting East County high schools

Bond Authorization

To provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List below, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, and upon approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Grossmont Union High School District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $417,000,000 in aggregate principal amount subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below.

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, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses. 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.

Accountability Safeguards

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the Grossmont Union High School District’s voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Grossmont Union High School District, all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIII A, Section 1(b)(3) of the State Constitution, and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (Education Code Sections 15264 and following).

Evaluation of Needs. The Governing Board has prepared an updated 2008 Long Range Facilities Master Plan in order to evaluate and address all of the facilities needs of the Grossmont Union High School District at each campus and facility, and to determine which projects to finance from a local bond at this time. The Governing Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List.

Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. In connection with the passage of Proposition H, the Governing Board established an independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure Proposition H bond proceeds are spent only for the school facilities projects approved by Proposition H. Upon approval of this measure, the Governing Board shall designate the District’s existing Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee to ensure bond proceeds from this measure are spent only for the school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List incorporated in this measure.

Annual Performance Audits. The Governing 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.

Annual Financial Audits. The Governing 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.

Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Governing Board shall take actions necessary pursuant to Government Code Section 53410 and following 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 Deputy Superintendent, Business Services of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2009, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in the immediately preceding fiscal year, and (2) 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 shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

Bond Project List

The Bond Project List below describes the specific projects the Grossmont Union High School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed projects will be completed as needed at a particular school 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. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. Certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Until all project costs and funding sources are known, the Governing Board cannot determine the amount of bond proceeds available to be spent on each project, nor guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects. Completion of some projects may be subject to further government approvals by State officials and boards, to local environmental review, and to input from the public. For these reasons, inclusion of a project on the Bond Project List is not a guarantee that the project will be funded or completed. The Governing Board may make changes to the Bond Project List in the future consistent with the projects specified in the proposition.

Part One

Site Discretionary Funds. Each existing comprehensive high school, and Chaparral High School, will be allocated $150 per student (based upon fiscal year 2009-10 enrollment) of bond proceeds (as “site discretionary funds”) to be spent on qualified, permitted projects listed in this Part One of the Bond Project List.

Specific Projects. Unless otherwise noted, the following projects are authorized to be completed at each of the District’s school sites:

School Improvements to Support Student Health, Safety & Security

Improve safety of student drop-off and pick-up areas, parking, and pedestrian and vehicular circulation

Provide school site security improvements, including increased lighting, and vandalism and intrusion safeguards

Improve and install student physical education fields and courtsImprove school site front entrance

Projects to Improve School Accessibility; Code Compliance Upgrades

Repair and renovate or expand student restrooms
Upgrade and expand student food service areas and kitchens to meet increased standards
Repair and renovate physical education facilities, and fields for accessibility and safety
Repair and replace aging and obsolete portable classrooms
Improve accessibility for people with disabilities and comply with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Title 24
Improve school site signage
Improve facilities to comply with Title 9 requirements

School Improvements to Support Student Learning & Instruction

Provide up-to-date classroom and instructional technology required for 21st century student learning and teaching
Upgrade and expand classrooms, labs, and specialized facilities for career and vocational technology programs
Provide and improve classrooms, labs, and specialized facilities for career technical education programs

Major Building Systems Repair and Replacement

Complete major repair and renovation projects as indicated:

- Repair and replace deteriorating plumbing and underground sewer systems

- Repair and replace aging, leaky roofs

- Repair and replace outdated, inefficient heating, ventilation and air cooling systems

- Upgrade electrical capacity and repair aging wiring to support instructional technology

- Repair and restore classroom and building interior and exterior finishes and fixtures

Repair and replace inadequate temporary classrooms, school buildings or sites with cost-effective permanent construction

Part Two

Specific Projects. Unless otherwise noted, the following projects are authorized to be completed at each of the District’s school sites:

School Improvements to Support Student Health, Safety & Security

Improve safety of student drop-off and pick-up areas, parking, and pedestrian and vehicular circulation

Provide school site security improvements, including increased lighting, and vandalism and intrusion safeguards

Improve and install student physical education fields and courtsImprove school site front entrance

Projects to Improve School Accessibility; Code Compliance Upgrades

Repair and renovate or expand student restrooms
Upgrade and expand student food service areas and kitchens to meet increased standards
Repair and renovate physical education facilities, and fields for accessibility and safety
Repair and replace aging and obsolete portable classrooms
Improve accessibility for people with disabilities and comply with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Title 24
Improve school site signage
Improve facilities to comply with Title 9 requirements

School Improvements to Support Student Learning & Instruction

Provide up-to-date classroom and instructional technology required for 21st century student learning and teaching
Upgrade and expand classrooms, labs, and specialized facilities for career and vocational technology programs
Provide and improve classrooms, labs, and specialized facilities for career technical education programs

Major Building Systems Repair and Replacement

Complete major repair and renovation projects as indicated:

- Repair and replace deteriorating plumbing and underground sewer systems

- Repair and replace aging, leaky roofs

- Repair and replace outdated, inefficient heating, ventilation and air cooling systems

- Upgrade electrical capacity and repair aging wiring to support instructional technology

- Repair and restore classroom and building interior and exterior finishes and fixtures

Repair and replace inadequate temporary classrooms, school buildings or sites with cost-effective permanent construction

Further Specifications

Specific Purposes. 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 shall constitute the specific purposes of the bonds, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purposes, pursuant to Government Code Section 53410.

Joint Use. In order to maximize community benefit and efficiently apply taxpayer dollars, the district shall demonstrate a good faith effort to pursue all practical opportunities to expand community joint-use facilities in every new or expanded school construction project. In pursuing joint use, the district’s goal should be to maximize the use of school district facilities to the broader community, without adversely impacting school operations or finances.

The District may enter into agreements with the City of La Mesa, City of El Cajon, City of Santee, County of San Diego, or other public agencies or nonprofit organizations 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 Governing Board shall determine.

Sustainability Standards. The Governing Board has adopted guidelines for sustainable construction, requiring design professionals and staff to follow California’s Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) standards and best practices for all future District building projects. These standards incorporate the latest green building practices to reduce operating costs, reduce environmental impact, and increase building life, while creating schools that are healthy, comfortable, well lit and well equipped.

The District intends to incorporate sustainable site design, water conservation, energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality and incorporating sustainable materials and products into the bond projects, emphasizing term life cycle cost analysis in its design process. It is intended that planned maintenance work will also incorporate improvements to existing facilities with respect to sustainability and energy conservation, whenever feasible.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, 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 legal maximum of 40 years from the date borne by that bond.

Renovation/Modernization. For purposes of the Bond Project List, renovation and modernization projects are intended to restore the building systems and infrastructure, weather protections, finishes, and technology, or reallocate and reorganize space, to a condition that will provide a sustainable, functional educational and administrative environment for future years, comparable to new construction. Renovation projects may include, but are not limited to nor necessarily encompass, all of the following, depending upon the age, condition and needs of each particular school facility:

upgrade electrical, communication (including data and voice), fire alarm, and similar building systems as well as main power service and distribution, which may include active and passive solar power and heating system acquisition, installation and construction;

replace, repair or upgrade plumbing, piping and drainage systems, including gas and water supply, meters, water heating, and wastewater systems, plumbing fixtures and sinks, etc., within buildings and sites and to connect with city supply and drainage systems;

replace or modify aging heating, ventilation and air cooling systems with energy-efficient heating and air cooling systems (HVAC), including installing energy management systems (EMS);

replace, modify, upgrade interior lighting and exterior safety/security lighting systems and fixtures, as necessary;

repair, modify and construct structural elements of the existing structure as necessary;

place or repair aging roofs with similar materials or District standard materials;

replace, repair, install and construct, as necessary, interior spaces: walls, floor and ceiling finishes, doors, door locks, windows, cabinets and casework, and equipment attached to wall surfaces (including white boards, marker boards, tack boards, television mounts, scoreboards, fire extinguishers, kitchen cabinets/equipment, etc.);

upgrade, modify and construct restroom facilities;

comply, as necessary, with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title 9 and Title 24 requirements;

refinish the exterior finishes of the school (including stucco, wood and metal trims, wood siding, paint, etc.); replace doors and windows;

modify, expand, separate, convert and construct school support areas, including staff work and lunch areas, to provide adequate, functional environments; and

modify, replace and construct functional components of altered or replaced building components (including rainwater leaders, fascias, mansards, etc.).

For any project involving renovation, repair or rehabilitation of a building or the major portion of a building, the District shall be authorized to proceed with new replacement construction instead (including any necessary demolition), if the Governing Board determines that replacement and new construction is more practical than rehabilitation and renovation, considering the building’s age, condition, expected remaining life, comparative cost, and other relevant factors.

The Bond Project List shall be considered a part of this ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

1100 Murray Drive (PO Box 1043)

El Cajon, CA 92020 (La Mesa CA 91944)

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(619) 644-8000

If you require the use of telecommunication relay services, dial 7-1-1 to be connected to a specially trained communications assistant.

Grossmont Union High School District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on age, gender, sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or the perception of one or more of such characteristics. (GUHSD Board Policy 5145.3)
Additional Title IX non-discrimination information
4119.26 BP Employee/Student Interaction Policy
Additional non-discrimination and related policies

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Grossmont Union High School District

Prop U Ballot Language

Ballot Statement

Bond Authorization

Accountability Safeguards

Bond Project List

Part One

Part Two

Further Specifications

Grossmont Union High School District