Tam Adult School

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Adult Education

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Community Education

A Facilities Workshop for the Board of Trustees of the Tamalpais Union High School District was called to order by Bob Walter, President, on October 11, 2005 at 2:30pm in the Kreps Conference Center in the District Office Building at Redwood High School in Larkspur.

Members Present:	Bob Walter, Ruth Dell, Jill Sampson, Susan Schmidt, John Wright
Administrators Present:	Bob Ferguson, Superintendent Arvo Toukonen, Assistant Superintendent, Adm. Services Steve Butler, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

1. WELCOME

Arvo Toukonen welcomed the Board of Trustees and audience members to the Board Workshop on Future Facility Projects. He reviewed the agenda and due to the volume of information to be discussed, he encouraged the group to be conscious of the time limits set for each item. He also stated the goals of the workshop that would help guide future Board decisions regarding facility needs and funding sources. All handouts were provided for the Board of Trustees and available at the back of the room for audience members.

2. FACILITY NEEDS / ESTIMATED COSTS

Arvo reviewed the Post-Modernization Work Scope spreadsheet which included the facility needs of each site, the target date, estimated cost, support costs, inflation rate, and the total cost. For all projects listed during the four year target, the estimated cost was $84,096,502. Joel Hames discussed the need for technology improvements which included updated phone systems at all sites. Projects on this list can be added, subtracted, and rearranged by Board decision. Arvo then reviewed the possible ways that projects could be grouped.

3. SOLAR ENERGY

Sara Montgomery from CAL-Air, Inc., gave a presentation on the benefits of using solar energy to convert light into electricity and reduce utility costs. She also discussed the two methods used to 1.) maximize the financial return by receiving rebates to reduce the implementation costs or 2.) to size the largest system possible which would cost more initially, but could result in a zero dollar energy bill at the end of the year.

4. FUNDING

Siobhan Semple Stoddard from Semple Appraisals, Inc., gave a presentation on the valuation of the property owned by the Tamalpais Union High School District in San Geronimo.

5. BOND SCENARIOS

Lynn from George K. Baum gave a presentation of different scenarios for a General Obligation Bond. These scenarios included different bond amounts, different tax rates, and different growth assessments. The recommended scenario was for a $90 million bond with a 5% and 4% growth assessment. This was an extension of the 2001 Election Tax Rate which averaged the tax rate to $32.80 per $100,000. This new bond would keep the tax rate below the $32.80/$100,000 assessed valuation as promised to voters during the 2001 bond election. This scenario would allow the District to receive all the money up front to fund the different projects. Lynn also presented the option of each site going for individual bonds, but the risk would be not all bonds passing.

6. LEGAL ADVICE

Mark Kelly spoke about the timeline once the Board has passed a resolution for a bond election and decided on an election date (June 2006 or November 2006). An earlier election date would cut inflation costs, but a later election date would allow more time to campaign. Consultants need to be chosen, a master plan developed, and the type of bond chosen. The Board needs to decide if they want a Prop 39 bond (requiring 55% votes in favor of the bond, more oversight and reporting on the projects, and includes technology improvements) or a traditional bond (requiring two-thirds votes in favor of the bond, does not include technology improvements, and can be held on any Tuesday). A community survey is optional, but recommended. The Board then needs to decide on a final bond amount and project list for the ballot measure. The spreadsheet that Arvo distributed is a sufficient project list, but it is important to remember that any projects not on the list cannot be funded with bond money. The Board then calls the election and the campaign period begins. For a Prop 39 bond, the oversight needs to begin as soon as the bond is passed. Lynn at George K. Baum stated that for a June election, the bond money can be received by Labor Day.

While the District waits for the distribution of the bond money, money from the General Fund can be used and refunded as long as the Board passes a resolution after the election. The Board could choose to pass a resolution before the election if they have “reasonable assurance” that the bond will pass. Otherwise, money used from the General Fund cannot be refunded.

7. ACCOMPLISHMENTS / RECOMMENDATIONS

Arvo distributed a handout stating the recent accomplishments of the Tamalpais Union High School District and the recommendations that are being made by the District’s administration both of which included personnel and staffing issues. The immediate concern is the demolition and rebuilding of Keyser Hall at Tamalpais High School. The cost for the Keyser project (approximately $15 million) is included in the site project list.

8. BOARD DIRECTION

The Board of Trustees discussed the options that were presented to them during the facilities workshop. The Board unofficially concurred that the District needed to pursue a district-wide bond election for June 2006.

Additional Comments/Suggestions:

• To hold separate meetings at each site (community invited) to provide input for the projects that need to be accomplished with this bond.
• For the sale of the San Geronimo property to be postponed since the value has significantly decreased since the first appraisal.
• To conduct a survey of the community’s opinion and support of a bond election.
• To explore the option of private donations to help fund facility needs.
• To establish a steering committee and establish issues for the bond campaign and follow through with the election.
• To try to reduce the work load of administrators for bond activities.
• To involve the community, and work with community members to help chair the campaign.
• To decide on a full master plan or a modified master plan.
• To determine staff issues and concerns.
• To avoid the impact of inflation, as much as possible, by trying to complete the bond projects within a four year period of time.
• To look at the long-term perspective and facility needs for the District.
• To make the improvements funded by this bond last 10-15 years.
• Time Sensitive Issues (Projected for Summer 2006):
  • Keyser Hall
  • Irrigation for landscaping
  • Announcer booths

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Dell, Clerk