https://www.shapethefuture.org/elections/2016/june/candidates_measures/documents/Pacifica_ResolutionMeasureFullTestTaxRateStatement.pdf
Pacifica School DistrictMeasure D - 2/3 Approval Required
Pacifica School District
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Without increasing taxes, to protect approximately $1.3 million annual local funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Pacifica School District renew expiring local funding, protect quality education in local elementary/middle schools, enhance math, science, history, reading/writing programs, attract/retain qualified teachers, support well-rounded education like art/music programs, computer/technology instruction, libraries and support struggling students, at $118 annually for 10 years, with citizen oversight, senior citizen exemptions, and no funds for administrators?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
Summary
Impartial analysis / Proposal
The California Constitution and state law authorize school districts to levy qualified special taxes for specified purposes. Government Code Sections 50077 and 50079 provide that such a tax measure passes if two-thirds of those voting on it vote to approve the measure.
The Pacifica School District (the "District") currently has a parcel tax approved in 2011 that imposes $118 in taxes per taxable parcel per year. The 2011 tax expires on June 30, 2017. By this measure, the District's Board of Education proposes to renew this tax beginning July 1, 2017. If this measure is approved, the current tax would continue after June 30, 2017, for a period of ten years at a rate of $118 per parcel annually on taxable parcels in the District.
The proposed tax applies to any unit of land in the District that receives a separate property tax bill from San Mateo County tax collection officials. However, individuals in the following categories may annually apply for an exemption from the tax: 1) any person who owns an interest in the parcel, occupies the parcel as their principal place of residence, and is aged 65 years or older; 2) any person who receives Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age, and occupies the parcel as their principal place of residence; or 3) any person who receives Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, regardless of age, whose annual income is less than 250% of the 2012 federal poverty guidelines. Property otherwise exempt from property taxes will also be exempt from this tax.
The stated purposes of the parcel tax are to: enhance core academics like math, science, history, reading, and writing; support art, music, and electives; attract and retain qualified teachers and staff; maintain classroom computer and technology instruction; strengthen school library programs; and maintain programs that support struggling students. No proceeds from this tax may be spent on District administration.
State law requires that the proceeds of the parcel tax be placed in a special account and that an annual report accounting for parcel tax revenues collected and expended and the status of projects or programs funded by the tax be filed with the Board of Education. The measure also raises the annual appropriations limit of the District in an amount equal to the total funds raised by the tax each year through the end of the tax.
A "yes" vote on this measure would renew the current tax at a rate of $118 per taxable parcel on property within the District for a period of ten years beginning July 1, 2017, for the purposes listed above. A "yes" vote would also raise the District's annual appropriations limit for the same period by the total amount raised by this tax each year.
A "no" vote on this measure would not allow the parcel tax to be levied, allowing the current tax of $118 to expire on June 30, 2017.
This measure passes if two-thirds of those voting on the measure vote "yes."
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
Vote Yes on Measure D to renew stable, local education funding that will protect excellent academic programs and retain qualified teachers in Pacifica School District schools without raising taxes by a single penny.
Although our local elementary and middle schools are a source of community pride here in Pacifica, the fact remains that they are among the lowest funded in San Mateo County.
Measure D provides a dedicated source of local funding to protect vital keys to student success. Strong core academics, skilled teachers and innovative science and technology, engineering, and math programs all ensure that local students are prepared to excel in high school, college, and the 21st century workforce. Without Measure D, Pacifica School District schools will have to cut critical educational programs like these.
Measure D continues the community tradition of supporting our elementary and middle schools with locally controlled funding that cannot be taken away by the state.
Vote Yes on Measure D: Prepare Elementary and Middle School Students for Future Success
* Enhance core academic programs like math, science, history, reading, and writing
* Support outstanding art, music, and electives critical to a well-rounded education
* Attract and retain qualified teachers
* Maintain classroom computer and technology instruction
* Strengthen school library programs
* Maintain programs to support struggling students
Measure D is Fiscally Accountable and Does Not Increase Taxes
* Every penny benefits local schools and is locally controlled; nothing can be taken by the state
* No money can be used for administrators' salaries
* An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee ensures funds are spent responsibly
* Homeowners 65 and older continue to be eligible for an exemption
Our local elementary and middle schools are an integral part of Pacifica. Please join parents, teachers, and community leaders in supporting the future success of local Pacifica School District students and protecting quality education in our neighborhood schools without raising taxes. Votes Yes on D.
/s/ Julie Mazzetti, Local Business Owner
/s/ Richard Campbell, Chair, Pacifica Planning Commission
/s/ Ross Ellison, Terra Nova High School Teacher
/s/ Karen Erwin, Former Mayor of Pacifica
/s/ Joan T. Weideman, 25-year Pacifica resident
Arguments AGAINST
This latest parcel tax from the Pacifica School District tries to use the state budget crisis to grab unearned money. The district wants to extend the 2010 parcel tax of $118 per year for another 10 years, while the enrollment in the district is declining.
Have they earned this extension that will cost you $1,180 over the next 10 years (on top of the money you are already paying)?
Let's look at the student test scores for English learners attaining English proficiency:
2014-15 school year results: 66.1% meeting proficiency
Source: California Department of Education Assessment and Accountability Division
If you got 66.1% of the answers right on a test, that would be a D grade, would it not?
Should you, the voters, reward a 33.9% failure rate?
If not, we encourage you to vote No on Measure D.
The statewide average expense per student is $8,788 per year versus Pacifica School District's $8,332 or 95% of the statewide average. Yet they want more of your hard earn money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.
The measure says that none of the funds will be used for administration. But funds generated separately from this parcel tax can be used for administration expenses without limits. So, that is really an empty promise. Don't be fooled.
Here are the latest average teacher salaries for the district:
2013-14 - teacher average salary = $59,122 - statewide average = $71,094
Plus teachers get a super generous benefits package. Their "family plan" costs you $28,130 per teacher per year in benefits, while they only work an average of 184 days a year.
Tell the Pacifica School Board to be fiscally responsible by voting No on Measure D.
For more information, please visit us at http://www.svtaxpayers.org/2016-pacifica-school-parcel-tax
/s/ Mark W.A. Hinkle, President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
Replies to Arguments FOR
The latest parcel tax from the Pacifica School District tries to use the state budget cris to grab unearned money. The district wants to extend the 2010 parcel tax of $118 per year for another 10 years, while the enrollment in the district is declining.
Have they earned this extension that will cost you $1,180 over the next 10 years (on top of the money you are already paying)?
Let's look at the student test scores for English learners attaining English proficiency:
2014-15 school year results: 66.1% meeting proficiency
Source: California Department of Education Assessment and Accountability Division
If you got 66.1% of the answers right on a test, that would be a D grade, would it not?
Should you, the voters, reward a 33.9% failure rate?
If not, we encourage you to vote No on Measure D.
The statewide average expense per student is $8,788 per year versus Pacifica School District's $8,332 or 95% of the statewide average. Yet they want more of your hard earn money to pad their salaries and fat pension plans.
The measure says that none of the funds will be used for administration. But, funds generated separately from this parcel tax can be used for administration expenses without limits. So, that is really an empty promise. Do not be fooled.
Tell the Pacifica School Board to be fiscally responsible by voting No on Measure D.
Do not reward failure unless you want more of it!
For more information, please visit us at http://www.svtaxpayers.org/2016-pacifica-school-parcel-tax
/s/ Mark W.A. Hinkle, President, Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
Replies to Arguments AGAINST
The author of the argument against Measure D habitually opposes local education funding measures up and down the Peninsula, despite the fact that he lives over 60 miles outside of Pacifica.
We live, work, and send our children to school in Pacifica and know that Measure D is the right choice for our local schools and students. Without increasing taxes by a single penny, it protects the excellent academic programs and retains qualified teachers that we Pacificans know are paramount to the strength of our community.
Every penny of Measure D stays right here in Pacifica.
By law, Measure D provides locally controlled funding for local schools. Strict fiscal accountability ensures that nothing can be taken by the state.
Measure D attracts and retains the most qualified teachers.
It's no secret that strong core academic programs delivered by skilled teachers are the key to Pacifica student success. Measure D protects a dedicated source of local funding that prepares local students for future success.
Our schools are among the lowest funded in San Mateo County.
Without Measure D, all local schools will have to make cuts to critical educational programs that make for great Pacifica School District schools.
Measure D does not increase taxes by a single penny!
Measure D simply continues our community's tradition of supporting excellent education in local schools here in Pacifica.
Don't be fooled by one outsider; local Pacificans know how vital our Pacifica School District schools are to our community. Please join us in voting Yes on D.
/s/ Jesse Levin, Education Economist
/s/ Kiyomi Arai, Teacher, Cabrillo Elementary
/s/ Eric Ruchames, Retired Pacifica Police Sergeant
/s/ Len Stone, Pacifica realtor
/s/ Charlotte Allen, Vallemar PTO President
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