Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Bylaws

Application for Citizens' Oversight Committee


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Comments on Measure E?  Please click the link below:

Community Input

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WHAT IS MEASURE E?

Proposition 39 Bond Election
On November 6, 2012, voters residing within the Chico Unified School District passed Measure E. Measure E is a $78 million bond measure that authorizes funding for needed repairs, upgrades, and new construction projects to the District's schools. Proposition 39 required a 55% supermajority for approval; Measure E was passed by 63.32%.

Establishment of a Citizens' Oversight Committee
After a bond authorized under Proposition 39 is passed, state law requires that the Chico Unified School District Board of Education appoint a Citizens' Oversight Committee to work with the District.

Community Input

The following information is provided to assist in understanding the facts behind Measure E.

What is Measure E?

Measure E is a $78.0 million general obligation (G.O.) bond program.  This measure is intended to address the needs of the student population through modernization and renovation projects at all the District's schools.

What is a General Obligation (G.O.) bond?

G.O. bonds fund projects such as the renovation of existing classrooms and school facilities, as well as construction of new schools and classrooms.  Similar to a home loan, G.O. bonds are typically repaid over 25 to 30 years.  The loan repayment comes from a tax on all taxable property - residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial - located within the District's boundaries.

Why can't the District meet its facilities needs with its current budget?

Today, the scope of improvements needed at the Chico Unified School District is far more than the current funding sources available.  The per-pupil funding which the District receives from the state is intended to be used for the day-to-day business of educating children and not the cost of upgrading, modernizing, and repairing facilities.

What will the passage of Measure E mean for our students and the community?

Measure E will provide our students with a better learning environment by making repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and school facilities; many of which are also used and available to the community such as the libraries and playing fields.

Over the last several months with input from staff, teachers, parents, and community leaders, the District has prepared a School Facilities Needs Analysis. The Needs Analysis identifies the major repairs and upgrades that need to be made.

Examples of the specific types of projects identified include:

• Improving student access to computers and modern technology
• Repairing and replacing leaky roofs
• Replacing deteriorating plumbing systems
• Replacing energy inefficient heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems
• Modernizing outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities

What will Measure E cost?

Measure E will not increase the current annual tax rate.  Instead, it will extend the estimated tax rate of $45.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation that property owners are currently paying.

How can I be sure that Measure E funds will be spent on improving our local schools?

By law, all Measure E funds have to be spent locally and cannot be taken by the state.  Furthermore, an independent citizens' oversight committee will be established to ensure that bond funds are properly spent.  Also, by law, there must be annual audits and no bond money can be used for teacher or administrative salaries.