Sausalito Marin City School District Bond Measure Election
The following is the full proposition presented to the voters of the District by the Sausalito Marin City School District.
“To improve and maintain local play fields and recreation facilities to support children’s health, fitness, and recreation activities, improve play area safety, add restrooms where needed; and improve access to facilities for children with disabilities, acquire, construct, repair facilities, equipment, shall Sausalito Marin City School District measure authorizing $12,500,000 in bonds at legal rates be adopted, levying $8 per $100,000 assessed value, (averaging $860,000 annually while bonds are outstanding), with independent oversight/audits and all money staying local?”
PROJECT LIST
The Board of Trustees of the Sausalito Marin City School District evaluated the District’s urgent and critical facility needs, including safety issues, class size, class size reduction, and computer and information technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The District conducted a facilities evaluation in developing this Project List. The Board concluded that if these needs are not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing.
The Project List includes the following types of upgrades and improvements at the District sites and facilities:
- Improve and maintain local play fields and recreation facilities to support children’s health, fitness, and recreation activities.
- Upgrade facilities so they meet current health and building safety codes and provide proper access for students with disabilities.
Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, legal fees and similar planning costs, connection fees, program and project management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency, and escalation for unforeseen design and construction costs. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List also includes the payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility assessment reviews and master plans, environmental studies, design and construction documentation, inspection and permit fees, and temporary housing of dislocated District activities caused by bond projects, as well as the refinancing of outstanding lease obligations or interim funding incurred to advance projects from the Project List. The Project List shall also include the following types of projects: upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies, including EV charging stations, upgrade, repair, construct or install campus accessibility, utilities, plumbing, gas lines, playground equipment, drinking fountains/hydration stations, hard court surfaces or turf, general site paving, restrooms, roofs, interior and exterior lighting, walkway covers, signage, asphalt, shade structures, playgrounds, play fields/courts, athletic fields, gymnasiums, lockers, irrigation, gutters, and downspout drainage systems; upgrade, install and reconfigure sidewalks, parking lots and drop off/pick up zones to improve student safety; make facility improvements for earthquake safety; install signage, flagpoles, solar electric systems and fencing, including security fences and security systems (including access control systems and cameras).
The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District’s control. Some projects throughout the District may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans and construction documents are finalized, construction bids are received, construction contracts 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 enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration and landscaping, may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable or modular classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, road widening, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, permits or rights of way to the property.
Bond proceeds shall be expended only for the specific purposes identified herein. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District bond audits and staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to the bond projects. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.
FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATION CODE SECTION 15272, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL APPOINT A CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND CONDUCT ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS TO ASSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT ONLY ON DISTRICT PROJECTS AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE. 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 Teacher or 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. Bond funds may not be temporarily transferred to the District’s general fund for administrative purposes.