September 19, 2008

D8CRT: Measure T - Parcel Tax on November 4 Ballot

By Larry Cargnoni
Special to the Times

At the Sept. 9 District 8 Community Round Table meeting, Clif Black, Superintendent of the Evergreen School District, presented an overview for Measure T, a ballot measure on the Nov. 4, 2008 ballot. Measure T calls for an annual tax of $90.00 to be levied on all parcels of taxable property in the Evergreen School District. Measure T must pass by 2/3 votes of the electorate.

“The funds generated by Measure T will fund critical programs in the Evergreen School District,” said Black. “Monies will be used to maintain state-mandated class sizes in grades K-3, fund enhanced math and science instructional programs, restore music and arts programs and maintain safe school campuses. According to Sylvia Alveraz, Board Member for the District, “Maintaining the 20-student limit per class is especially important in the Title 1 schools.”

California’s state budget situation has put pressure on the amount of monies that it distributes to the state’s school districts. Between rising costs and a decreased revenue stream, Evergreen School District is turning to property owners to help make up the short-fall. An exemption may be granted on any parcel owned by one or more persons aged 65 years or older who occupies said parcel. These persons would need to file for an exemption.

A parcel tax differs in part from a bond measure in that bond measures are typically used for capital investments (for example, new buildings or large-scale renovations). Bonds must be sold to investors to raise the money, sometimes over a period of years. The parcel tax would be collected by the Santa Clara County Tax Collector. Collection, most likely, would begin with the property tax bill levied for the fiscal year following the Measure’s passing.

Measure T is expected to generate approximately $2.5 million dollars annually. If passed, the parcel tax will be collected for a period of 5 years. Measure T calls for the appointment of a citizens advisory committee that will ensure that the tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes. Kathy Gomez, a member of Citizens for Excellence in Evergreen Schools, a major champion of Measure T, stated that the ballot measure calls for annual financial audits and that strong accountability and taxpayer protections are built in.

District 8 resident, Tom Paramo asked “What happens after five years?” Black replied that Evergreen School District hopes that the state will have stabilized its funding efforts by then.

Several members of the Round Table voiced their support for Measure T, including East Side Union School District Trustee Frank Biehl. Jim Zito, president of the D8CRT, led a discussion on whether or not the Round Table should officially en-dorse Measure T and lend its name as one of its proponents. The D8-CRT voted unanimously to officially support Measure T on the Nov-ember ballot.

More complete information on Measure T can be found at www.yes4evergreenschools.com or by contacting Citizens for Excellence in Evergreen Schools at (408) 223-3363. The D8CRT website, www.d8crt.org also contains a “Frequently Asked Questions” for Measure T.

The next District 8 Community Round Table meeting will be held on Oct. 14 at the Evergreen Branch Library from 7-9 p.m. For more details on the D8CRT, visit www.d8crt.org. Larry Cargnoni is an officer of the D8CRT.