- Ballot Question

- Tax Rate Statement

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Washington Unified School District

An election will be held in the Washington Unified School District (the “District”) on March 2, 2004, to authorize the sale of up to $52,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the measure.  If the bonds are approved, the District expects to sell the bonds in several series over time.  Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District.  The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California.

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 $0.05988 per $100 ($59.88 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2004-05.

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 $0.05977 per $100 ($59.77 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2006-07.

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 $0.05998 per $100 ($59.98 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2029-30.

Based on these estimated tax rates, the average annual tax over the life of the bonds would be $59.92 for $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Voters should note that these estimated tax rates are based on the assessed value of taxable property in the District as shown on the official tax roll of the county, not on the property’s market 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 the 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. 

The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply 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 estimates are based upon the District’s projections and are not binding upon the District.  The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on the need for construction funds and other factors.  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: December __, 2003                               

Patrick Campbell

Superintendent

Washington Unified School District

Q. What about the location and traffic?

A. Measure Q simply guarantees West Sacramento will have the go ahead and the funding to finally build our new high school.  It does not specify a location.

The current location under consideration was originally selected in 1990.  Through the work of three site committees this location was selected as the best place for the campus.  The district is purchasing the property and it’s advantageous because of the infrastructure and access.  In addition to the improvements on Jefferson that will help mitigate traffic, an environmental study that will be completed in April will identify other safety and traffic flow improvements and call for public input as well.  What’s more, the new high school will have both district bus service and could have a public bus stop right at campus that will serve all West Sacramento neighborhoods.

Finally, the school can implement ideas that will help reduce traffic as well as benefit the students at the high school such as staggered start times and more alternative modes of transportation.

Q. Why one mega high school?

A. Through 13 years of community input and research it is clear that community will benefit more from a unified school to prevent division and rivalry.  The ultimate cost can be kept down without sacrificing the benefits of several smaller schools by having one flexible and diverse campus that could include schools within a school.  The entire community will benefit from a larger campus as well because of the joint-use arts, sports-recreation and library facilities.

Q. Why not the Port and what if the Port property becomes available?

A. West Sacramento parents have waited long enough for a new high school.  Kids are crawling over each other at RCHS.  The Port property is not feasible because of its industrial use zoning and the Port is aggressively trying to expand its operations.  Allowing teenagers to compete with huge industrial trucks on the roads near the Port is also too unsafe.  It is clear that it will take years to for the final shape and use of the Port of Sacramento to take shape with no guarantee that property will ever be available.  Parents just can’t wait any longer.

Q. What about the re-use of RCHS?  Many parents don’t like the fact that when their children reach middle school they will be attending an outdated school.

A.  No decision has been made and the community will have input on what happens.  The only issue is that it is too small to be a high school but in fact could be a wonderful middle school.  Millions have been invested in RCHS in recent years to build new classrooms and make it completely high technology.  Even greater improvements would be made if it becomes a middle school.  Parents and community members will have ample input before any decision is made about the campus.

Q. Again, what if the Port property becomes available?  A sports complex is one of the ideas for that.

A. If and when that property becomes available – whether for education, community recreation or anything else – it will ultimately benefit a growing community.  The new high school and joint use facilities are community assets, not competitors to any future plans.

Q. Why move so quickly?  You haven’t completed the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation study yet.  Isn’t November a better opportunity?

A.  The high school plans and the Gates grant are both designed with maximum flexibility and one occurring before the other is not an obstacle.  It wouldn’t be right to give voters one shot in November and make parents wait another two years on the back end for their new high school.  If the measure doesn’t pass in March, the community can express their needs and give voters another opportunity in November.

Q. What’s the cost and is it accurate?  Can we count on the matching dollars?

A. The cost is about $72 million and Measure Q would raise $52 million of that.  It is absolutely accurate.  The estimates we made are based on the most conservative growth patterns.  In addition, our school will be 100% qualified for the matching funds and developers will pay their fair share.

Q. What’s the bottom line for homeowners?

A. Over the term of the bond it will cost homeowners about $60 per $100,000 of assessed value.  That means families with a $200,000 house would pay about $120 per year.  That adds up to about $15 a month or just 50 cents a day – less than the price of a cup of coffee.  The cost also goes down as the population of homeowners grows.