AVOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

To minimize educational cuts, including science instructors, qualified teachers, and school libraries, shall the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District collect $11.25/month per taxable

parcel for five years, with independent citizen oversight and exemptions for parcels owned/occupied by seniors (65+), for educational purposes such as: Smaller class sizes, Retaining qualified teachers, Science and computer instruction, Arts and music education, Advanced classes for college preparation, and shall the District’s annual appropriations limit be raised by such amount?

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE A

If this measure is approved by at least two-thirds of those voting on it, the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (“the School District”) will be authorized to levy a new special tax assessment on real property.  The tax would be imposed for five years beginning at the rate of $11.25 per month on each taxable  parcel of land within the School District.   Over one year, the tax would therefore total $135.

The proceeds of the parcel tax, if approved, may be applied only for the purposes set out in the text of Measure A in this pamphlet.    

In accord with State law, the School District shall create a designated account into which the proceeds of the tax will be deposited, and the District Board will file an annual report accounting for the parcel tax revenues collected and the  manner in which they have been spent.    In addition, an independent community oversight committee shall be appointed to ensure that tax revenues are spent wisely and only for purposes approved by the voters.

The special tax shall be collected by the Santa Cruz County Tax Collector in the same manner and subject to the same penalties as those property taxes which are based upon property value. 

Property owners 65 years of age or older may apply for an exemption from the tax if they reside on said parcel.

If the  special tax is approved, the measure  provides that the annual appropriations (spending) limit of the District which is imposed by the California Constitution will adjust upward to an amount which includes the proceeds from the special tax. The School District is subject to Proposition 4 which was enacted in 1979 and is now California Constitution Article XIIIB.  It limits governmental spending by setting an annual appropriations limit for governmental agencies.   The limit is based on the previous year’s limit, adjusted for changes in the cost of living and population.    Article XIIIB permits the voters to change the spending limitation for a period of time not to exceed four years from the vote creating or continuing such change

A “yes” vote is to approve imposition of the special parcel tax and the raising of the School District’s annual appropriations limit by the same amount.

A “no” vote is against imposition of the special parcel tax and the raising of the School District’s annual appropriations limit by the same amount.

DANA McRAE, COUNTY COUNSEL.

By Jane M. Scott, Assistant County Counsel

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE A

To minimize educational cuts, including science instructors, qualified teachers, and school libraries, maintain high-quality education in local schools; attract and retain experienced, qualified teachers; support art, music, science, computer instruction and other programs, shall San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District collect a parcel tax of $11.25 per month per taxable parcel, with required citizen oversight, exemptions for parcels owned and occupied by persons 65 years or older, for five years, and shall the District’s annual appropriations limit be raised by such amount, by undertaking actions such as:

(a)     support smaller class sizes;

(b)     attract, hire and retain qualified and experienced teachers and other employees;

(c)     support programs such as music, art, science and computer instruction;

(d)     support school libraries;

(e)     support career preparation curriculum and advanced placement courses for college preparation.

An exemption shall be granted for any parcel owned by one or more persons 65 years of age or over who occupies said parcel as a principal residence, upon one-time application for exemption.

This Measure will also increase the District’s Gann Appropriation Limit in an amount equal to the levy of special taxes for said year, as permitted by Article XIIIB, Section 4 of the California Constitution.  This increase is required for the District to use the revenues generated by the tax.

To insure additional accountability, an independent community oversight committee shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees to oversee all expenditures funded by the measure to ensure that said funds are spent wisely and used only for purposes approved by the voters.  The oversight committee shall monitor the expenditures of these funds by the District and shall report on an annual basis to the community on how these funds have been spent.

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A

Schools in the San Lorenzo Valley are in a very serious budget crisis. Declining enrollment and reduced state funding have caused a serious budget shortfall.

To save money, the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (SLVUSD) has made deep administrative cuts, closed schools, reduced teaching materials and cut programs. If this measure fails, SLVUSD will have to proceed with plans to cut $1.5 million more from its 2003 budget: meaning teacher layoffs, larger classes, and cutbacks in music, art, science, libraries, and computer classes.

Measure A is the only way to protect local students from these devastating budget cuts. 

By law, every dollar from Measure A will be used right here in local schools and can’t be taken by the state.  Measure A is necessary to:

·    preserve small class sizes

·    attract, hire and retain qualified and experienced teachers

·    save  programs such as music, art, science

·    update computer technology

·    keep school libraries open and accessible to students

·    support career preparation curriculum and advanced placement courses for college preparation

Citizens 65 years of age and over can be exempt from this measure. The exemption form can be submitted confidentially by mail. We need support from our entire community to pass this measure and protect our schools.

SLVUSD has an outstanding record of academic achievement and is one of the top districts in the area. But these substantial budget cuts will severely harm the quality of local education.

Annual independent audits show SLVUSD’s long, public record of responsible financial management. An independent volunteer citizen oversight committee will ensure that all Measure A funds are used efficiently, for voter-approved purposes and only to benefit local students.

Please join former Assemblymember Fred Keeley and hundreds of neighbors in saving our schools from very harmful budget cuts. Vote YES on A.

 

s/ Stephen T Sanders, Ben Lomond Fire Chief

Valley Women’s Club of SLV

s/ Nancy B. Macy, Board Member

s/ John Jeffrey Almquist, County Supervisor

s/ Douglas K. Morris, English Teacher/Coach

s/ Mary Hammer

 

REBUTTAL TO AGRUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A

$135 per year tax increase per parcel is requested by the SLV Unified School District.

Local facts:

·    $33,256,000.00 is the total budgeted revenue for SLVUSD 2002-2003.

·    Approximately 93% of the budget is spent on salaries, 7% on physical plant and reserves.

·    The total enrollment for 2002-2003 is 3869 students.

·    Revenue per student is $8,596.00.

·    There are 402 employees including teachers, classified, custodial and support personnel.

·    9.6 students per district employee.

We are in hard economic times.

·    12% average unemployment rate (January 2003) for Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Clara counties. (Cal.EDD)

·    Salaries are stagnating.

·    Student enrollment is down 20% over 10 years and families are leaving the Valley bound for lower cost of living areas.

·    In 5 years the tax increase money stops.

In hard economic times, families defer luxuries and tighten their belts.  When the community experiences economic hardship, the hardship should be shared equally. 

$8,596.00 per pupil is what a family could expect to pay for a private high school tuition.  Our school district can do better.  We are intelligent and committed to our children. Let’s work together during these trying times and find ways to economize without creating a further financial burden on families who are trying to make ends meet.

Vote NO on Measure A.

s/ John Mancini

Chairman, Santa Cruz County Reform Party

s/ Patrick Dugan

Director, Santa Cruz County Libertarian Party

s/ Skip Matthes

President, SLV Chamber of Commerce

 

 

 

 

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A

A no vote on “Measure A” doesn't mean that we are against education.  We have always supported excellence in education and are proponents of effective use of taxpayer money to improve education. 

Once again the school district is asking us for millions of dollars.  This is the 5th time in 10 years.  And just like before, we hear the same story:  “This time if you just give us more money everything will be alright from now on.”    We keep giving more and more money and they keep saying: “This time things will get better, education will improve.”  However, things are not getting better.  Student achievement has declined, test results have become more disappointing, and college remedial education is at an all time high. 

The district claims enrollment is way down and declining; yet they want a huge increase in their budget to operate the district.  In this downturn economy unemployment is reaching double figures and salaries are stagnating. Can we taxpayers really afford the district’s request that we increase our property taxes to give their employees and administrators a raise in salaries and benefits?  Our property taxes keep growing annually.  Special taxes, fees, and assessments along with regular property taxes are reaching pre-Proposition 13 levels.  Is this increase of almost $12 million in property taxes prudent?

Throwing more money at the problem is not the answer.  The government approach of just raising taxes and spending more will not help.  Responsible management and financial accountability is a more realistic approach to deal with the situation.

Furthermore, if the economy does pick up in two or three years and not as much of this tax is needed, are they going to give it back or reduce our tax burden?  Don’t hold your breath.

Please vote no on Measure A.

s/ John Mancini

Chairman, Santa Cruz County Reform Party

s/ Patrick Dugan

Director, Santa Cruz County Libertarian Party

s/ Skip Matthes

President, SLV Chamber of Commerce

 

 

 

 

 

 

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A

We can’t afford to act like ostriches with our heads in the sand. 

Our school district is facing a very serious budget problem.

In response to this tremendous challenge, with the full support of district teachers and staff, our new school board and new superintendent have implemented an aggressive plan to address this deficit, while keeping their commitment to excellence in education for our children. Historically, we have never faced State cutbacks and deficits like these.

For the upcoming school year alone, science classes, the only district nurse, and health services for low income children are threatened with cuts.   Class sizes have been drastically increased. These represent only the first wave of more drastic cuts in the coming years.

If this ballot measure passes, many of the most painful cutbacks can be reversed.

State law allows no other way to increase revenues to address this serious problem. Measure A is our only option for protecting local students from the impact of damaging budget cuts.

Measure A is a significant way to maintain our community commitment to excellence in education in our children’s education. If these cuts are not reversed, the quality of education in local schools will suffer seriously. Declining schools reduce property values.

No one likes taxes. There simply is no other choice.  If this measure does not pass, our schools and children will suffer irreparable damage.  For the future of our children and community, please vote “Yes on A”.

s/ Jeff Calden, San Lorenzo Valley High School Teacher

s/ Douglass M. Crocker, Parent

s/ Pam Falke-Krueger, Community Member/parent

s/ Jacqui Rice, Community Member/parent

s/ Judy Darnell, Member, SLV Rotary

 

 

 

 

 

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