New Issue: Moody's assigns Aa2 rating to Tustin Unified School District (USD) School Facilities Improvement District's (SFID) (CA) GO Bonds

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1 New Issue: Moody's assigns Aa2 rating to Tustin Unified School District (USD) School Facilities Improvement District's (SFID) (CA) GO Bonds Global Credit Research - 12 Mar 2013 $25.0 million of new debt affected TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, CA Public K-12 School Districts CA Moody's Rating ISSUE General Obligation Bonds of School Facilities Improvement District No of the Tustin Unified School District, 2008 Election, Series C Sale Amount $25,000,000 Expected Sale Date 03/26/13 Rating Description General Obligation RATING Aa2 Moody's Outlook Opinion NEW YORK, March 12, Moody's Investors Service has assigned an Aa2 rating to the Tustin Unified School District's (CA) $25.0 million offering School Facilities Improvement District No of the Tustin Unified School District, 2008 Election, Series C. Proceeds from the current offering will finance the construction of new facilities and renovation and improvement at existing schools. RATING RATIONALE The rating primarily reflects the District's large, stable tax base; residents' slightly above-average wealth levels; a healthy District financial profile; and manageable debt burdens. The rating also notably reflects the strength of the voter-approved, unlimited property tax pledge securing California school district GO bonds and the well-established levy and collection history for the debt service levy. These characteristics largely offset the credit risk posed by potential financial weakness in the tuture. The county rather than the District levies, collects, and disburses the District's property taxes, including the portion constitutionally restricted to debt service on general obligation bonds. STRENGTHS - Healthy general fund reserves and strong liquidity - Modest tax base growth in 2012 and 2013 CHALLENGES - Below average principal payout rate of debt The District is located in Orange County (Aa1 Issuer Rating), 37 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 88 miles north of San Diego. The Tustin Unified School District provides educational services within a 23.7 square mile area that serves residents in the City of Tustin, portions of Santa Ana, Orange, Irvine and unincorporated Orange County. The SFID, formed in 2008, encompasses approximately 65% of the District. DETAILED CREDIT DISCUSSION Page 1 of 5

2 STEADY TAX BASE GROWTH EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AS HOUSING MARKET RECOVERS The SFID's $12.5 billion AV is large-sized, and shares a similar taxpayer composition with the overall District (Aa2 GO rating). The SFID represents approximately 65% of the assessed value (AV) of the total District, which was $19.2 billion in In 2012 and 2013, the SFID realized 1.4% and 0.5% AV growth, which restored the two years of decline in 2010 and The restoration is attributed to the stabilization of housing values and presence of some housing stock in the community that is assessed below its market value. The trend of steady growth will continue in step with the economic health of the region, which is positioned to continue positive performance. Within the City of Tustin, building and permitting activity has recently increased and unemployment as of November 2012 was favorably low at 6.9%, compared to 9.6% statewide. These trends suggest a favorable economic climate, supporting our expectation for steady tax base growth. Also supporting the rating is the SFID's favorable wealth levels that mirror the overall District. Wealth levels in the District are well above national averages, with median family and per capita incomes respectively of $67,754 and $28,853 (135.4% and 133.7% of national averages). These are levels are supported by the District's favorable location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area economy, with diverse commercial and industrial interests and employment opportunities. HEALTHY GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND STRONG LIQUIDITY LEND CREDIT STRENGTH The District has maintained a healthy level of General Fund reserves and liquidity, a notable accomplishment given the recent challenging funding period for California school districts. Despite these trends, it is reasonable to assume that absolute reserve levels could eventually decline if state funding improves due to eventual spending pressures. However, the District's recent performance informs our expectation that the District's financial profile will remain managed at relatively healthy levels. The District's General Fund balance at fiscal year-end 2012 was a strong $58.5 million (or 34.3% of 2012 revenues). Notably, the District's liquidity was at a strong level for California school Districts despite the state's extensive use of "revenue limit" receipt deferrals. The District's General Fund net cash and investments at fiscal year-end 2012 was robust at $37.6 million (or 22.0% of 2012 general fund revenues). These levels of cash and reserves provide a healthy level of operating flexibility to weather unexpected changes in state funding or unforeseen costs - a credit positive. As with most years, the District budgeted for an operating deficit in fiscal year We expect the District to outperform this budget given their previous year's conservative budgeting practices. Even if reserves were to eventually decline slightly, assuming the District's maintains its recent financial management practices, then its financial profile will remain relatively healthy and stable. MANAGEABLE DEBT LEVELS Even with the incremental addition of new debt, the District's burden will remain manageable given the unlimited property tax pledge securing the bonds. The District is projecting conservative near-term AV growth of 0% in 2014, 0% in 2015, 2% in 2016, and 4% thereafter. The District's direct debt burden post-issuance remains modest at 0.9%, while the overall debt burden rises to 3.1%, which is a moderate level for Aa2-rated California school districts. Post issuance, the District will have $120.0 million of total remaining GO authorization from its 2008 and 2012 elections. While immediate issuance of this debt would add some slight credit pressure, Moody's anticipates that the District will issue the debt incrementally as to avoid an otherwise high or onerous debt burden for taxpayers. Like many California school districts, Tustin has a slow 10-year principal payout rate of 32.1%, compared to the national median of 71.5%. We expect this to be manageable given the strong nature of the unlimited property tax pledge securing the bonds. The District's debt profile only accounts for 10% of the GO rating, and the slow payout does not significantly affect the Aa2 rating. What could move the rating-up - Attainment of Basic Aid status - Sizable increase in assessed valuation - Substantial improvement in wealth levels What could move the rating-down - Significant deterioration in socioeconomic measures Page 2 of 5

3 - Protracted decline in assessed valuation - Substantial weakening in the District's financial position KEY STATISTICS SFID No Assessed Value, Fiscal 2013: $12.5 billion Total District's Assessed Value, Fiscal 2013: $19.3 billion Median family income, 2000 census (entire District): $67,754 (127.8% of state) Per capita income, 2000 census (entire District): $28,853 (127.0% of state) General Fund balance, Fiscal 2012: $58.5 million (34.3% of GF revenue) General Fund net cash, Fiscal 2012: $37.6 million (22.0% of GF revenue) Average daily attendance, Fiscal 2012: 22,889 Direct debt burden: 0.9% Overall debt burden: 3.1% Payout of principal (10 years): 32.1% The principal methodology used in this rating was General Obligation Bonds Issued by U.S. Local Governments published in October Please see the Credit Policy page on for a copy of this methodology. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on Please see for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. Analysts Julian Metcalf Lead Analyst Public Finance Group Moody's Investors Service Eric Hoffmann Additional Contact Public Finance Group Moody's Investors Service Contacts Page 3 of 5

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