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Shall the Santa Cruz City High School District provide funds to continue specific educational programs and services by levying a special assessment for a period of 4 years, beginning 7/1/02, at the rate of $28 per year for each assessor’s parcel
within the Santa Cruz City High School District, with an exemption for any
senior citizen, 65 years or older, who owns and occupies that parcel as his
or her principal place of residence, and shall the Santa Cruz City High
School District implement accountability measures required by law? |
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL MEASURE C If this measure is approved by at least two-thirds
of those voting on it, the Santa Cruz City High School District will be
authorized to levy an annual special tax assessment on real property. The tax would be imposed for four years
beginning July 1, 2002, at the rate of $28 per year on each assessor's parcel
within the Santa Cruz City High School District. Proceeds of the tax would be used for
library services, counseling services, and classroom supplies, as more fully
described in the ballot measure. In accordance with State law, the Board of the School District has approved accountability measures for proceeds of the tax as follows: the proceeds of the special tax shall be applied only to those specific purposes identified in the measure; a separate account shall be created into which the special tax proceeds must be deposited; and an annual written report shall be made showing the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the special tax and the status of any projects required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the special tax. The special tax would be collected in the same
manner as ad valorem property taxes. Property owners who reach the age of 65 on or before July 1 of each assessment year and meet certain criteria will be exempt if they apply for exemption each year they are eligible. A "yes" vote is to approve imposition
of the special parcel tax. A "no" vote is against imposition of
the special parcel tax. DANA
McRAE, COUNTY COUNSEL By Jane M. Scott, Assistant County
Counsel |
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BALLOT
MEASURE C FULL TEXT OF MEASURE High
School District Special Tax Shall the
High School District of the Santa Cruz City Schools provide funds to continue
the specific educational programs and services described below by levying a
special assessment for a period 4 years, beginning July 1, 2002, at the rate
of $28 per year for each
assessor’s parcel within the High School District (grades 9-12), with an exemption for any
beneficial owner of a parcel who has attained the age of 65 on or before July
1 of any assessment year and who uses that parcel as his or her principal
place of residence, and shall the High School District of the Santa Cruz City
Schools implement accountability measures in connection with the special assessment as required by law? The following educational programs and
services shall be supported by the High School District special tax: Library Services: Library staff to support the study of
literature at all grade levels. Counseling Services: Resources and staffing for students with
academic counseling needs. Classroom Supplies: Classroom supplies for all students. The parcel tax will be imposed at the rate of $28 per year for each assessor’s parcel within the High School District (grades 9-12). An exemption from the assessment will be made available to each individual in the District who will attain 65 years of age prior to July 1 of the assessment year, and who owns a beneficial interest in the parcel, and who uses that parcel as his or her principal place of residence, and who applies to the Schools on or before July 1, 2002, or July 1 of any succeeding assessment year. The senior citizen exemption is subject to annual renewal. |
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44-509
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. |
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ARGUMENT
IN FAVOR OF MEASURE C Challenging, up-to-date programs
are essential to maintaining a strong local economy and ensuring that our
high school students receive the educational and vocational training they
need to succeed – in college, the working world, and beyond. Since school program funding is
based on enrollment, declining enrollment has already forced our high schools
to make deep budget cuts in recent years.
Now, anticipated future cuts in state funding have placed many of our
high schools’ most critical programs in jeopardy. At a cost of less than $2.50 a
month, Measure C will ensure our high education standards by providing the
funds to: · Provide
academic counselors at every high school to help students stay on the right
track and receive the support they need to succeed. · Purchase
classroom supplies for teachers such as paper, books, and other basic
learning tools. ·
Maintain library hours and staffing to ensure that every
student and teacher has access to research materials and a quiet place to
study. We
support Measure C because we believe in investing in the future of our
children and our community. Business
leaders support Measure C because they know that good schools are the
foundation of an educated workforce and a vibrant community. We are
confident that the funds will be spent appropriately and without waste. An independent audit will monitor all
spending. Senior citizen homeowners
can exempt themselves from Measure C, and voters will have the option to
renew the measure in four years. Invest in
our kids and our community. Vote YES
ON MEASURE C! s/ Bruce McPherson, California State Senator s/ Julie
Packard, Executive Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium s/ Mark Tracy, Santa Cruz County Sheriff s/
Stephanie Harlan, Capitola City Councilmember, Registered Nurse s/ Brigid Simpkins, Community Volunteer and Parent
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REBUTTAL
TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE C If our rebuttal to the arguments in favor of
Measure C seems disjointed, it’s because the argument in favor of Measure C
is disjointed. It drifts aimlessly as
it spouts platitudes mostly fluff without stuff. What are
“Up do date programs…”? Don’t we already
have academic counselors? Do we
really need a bond measure for paper?
With a library on nearly every corner, do we really need more library
staff and hours? Proponents say: · “Business
leaders support Measure C..” yet not
one business owner signed on as a proponent. · “…
independent audit will monitor all spending..” but monitoring won’t guarantee fiscal responsibility. · “Senior….homeowners…exempt...from
Measure C” but fail to mention the exemption
must be filed for and is subject to annual review. ·
“good schools are the foundation of an educated
workforce…” as if spending more money will guarantee better education. Proponents
would have you believe that school revenues are down. The fact of the matter is ADA per
student spending has gone up 26% according to California
Department of Education data. Yes,
whereas enrollment may be down
funding is up. The school districts have become the new black
hole for public spending and they will never have enough money to meet their
needs. In real life one learns to
live within their means. School
districts need to learn to do the same. On
March 5, 2002, vote no on Measure C. s/
Vernon C. Bohr Jr., Chairman, Committee Against Measure C – Santa Cruz s/
Carolyn M. Busenhart, Chairman, Committee Opposing Measure C – Santa Cruz |
44-510
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. |
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We grow weary of
writing ballot arguments, but
will continue to write them as
long as the
school districts continue to try and tax
the residents of their districts because they think they
can. Whereas they have been unable to get the two thirds
majority vote in the past necessary to pick the public’s pockets, they think they can do so
now if they can trick Seniors into voting for
Measure C believing that they will be exempt from this tax. Seniors, read the
full text of the ballot measure carefully.
It says: “ The Senior citizen exemption is subject
to annual
renewal.” Translation, even if you remember to file for the
exemption the first year, Seniors, there is no guarantee you will get it in
subsequent years. School districts have an insatiable appetite for
money, they will never have enough, and they will do anything to get more
even if it means misleading the voter.
Measure C is really one component of a two component school bond
Measure. Measure C, along with
Measure D, will raise property taxes $98 per parcel per year if you are in
both the elementary and high school districts. And for what? Read the
measure: “Library Services: Library Staff to support………… “Counseling Services: Resources and staffing…. “Arts and Music
Programs: “Staffing and supplies…..” Yes, STAFF, STAFFING, AND MORE STAFFING is
the only tangible item that the school district proposes to fund with your
property tax dollars should you vote for measure C. With
school enrollment down, and our county in a recession, does the school district
really need MORE STAFF? The answer is
no. On
March 5, 2002, vote no on Measure C s/
Carolyn M. Busenhart, Chairman, Committee Opposing Measure C – Santa Cruz s/
Vernon C. Bohr Jr., Chairman, Committee Against Measure C – Santa Cruz |
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE C Measure C requires approval of 2/3 of
school district voters. Every vote is critical. We urge you to support
Measure C. Measure C will only cost property owners
$28 per year. Our community recognizes that many senior homeowners have limited
income, so they may choose to exempt themselves from Measure C simply by
signing and returning a form, available from the school district each year.
(This process ensures accountability.) Santa Cruz City Schools have made $3
million in budget cuts over the last few years – and face similar cuts in the
near future unless we act. Revenues have fallen dramatically as enrollment
has declined, and state aid has dropped as state government deals with
looming budget deficits. Budget cuts involve tough decisions. The
school board has tried to keep past cuts as far from the classroom as
possible. Measure C is necessary to preserve and reinforce current programs,
and prevent deeper cuts in critical areas of the curriculum. Measure C is not
about hiring additional staff – it is about retaining current, qualified
instructors and their programs. Good staff and good teachers are vital for
a quality education. If Measure C fails, our students stand to suffer from
the loss of library hours and instruction, and the academic counseling they
need to prepare for the future. Measure C will also pay for basic classroom
supplies, which many teachers are now forced to purchase at their own
expense. Please join us in supporting our local high schools. Vote YES on Measure C. s/ Mark Tracy, Sheriff, Santa Cruz County s/ George “Bud” Winslow, Former School
Superintendent, Senior Citizen Advocate s/ Nancy S. Litvak, Library Media Teacher,
Santa Cruz City Schools s/ Dori Arthur, Teacher, Soquel High
School s/ Mark McConnell, Teacher and Coach,
Soquel High School |
44-511