By Town Crier Report
Q: What is Measure A?
A: Measure A, originally approved in 1989, provides funds for the educational program in schools in the Los Altos School District through a special parcel tax collected annually. Voters must approve authorization to spend parcel tax funds every four years as required by the Gann Appropriations Limit. Citizens 65 years and older can apply annually for an exemption from the tax. The tax is fully deductible from both federal and state income taxes.
Funds from the parcel tax are necessary to keep class sizes small, maintain small neighborhood schools, hire and retain high-quality teachers, keep libraries open, provide student educational materials, and preserve the district’s educational program at its current level.
After conducting an annual review of district finances, the independent Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF) found that - even though it operates on a very lean budget - the district is facing a severe financial crisis. Without additional funding to bridge the gap between insufficient revenues and increased program costs, the district cannot continue to offer its current level of education without making significant cuts. CACF recommended the board of trustees get voter approval to increase the parcel tax from the existing $264 per parcel per year to $597.
Q: An increase of $333 per year sounds like a lot. Why does the district need so much?
A: Even though our district operates on a bare-bones budget, it does not receive enough state and other revenue to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. For the last several years, the district has been able to balance its budget by cutting expenses and finding one-time sources of revenue. But these one-time revenues are not expected to continue, and the district must increase its parcel tax by enough to absorb several years’ worth of cost increases.
Q: What about the quality of education in the district?
A: This year, for the fourth year in a row, LASD students received the highest academic test scores in California. This achievement is directly related to the solid academic program provided by the parcel tax, including small class sizes and small neighborhood schools.
Q: Why are small class sizes and small neighborhood schools important?
A: Small class sizes and small neighborhood schools are key components of the district’s excellent educational program. Repeated studies validate this conclusion. While the state supports small class size, it does not provide enough funds to fully implement this. Small neighborhood schools have long been an integral part of our community. Both programs will be in jeopardy if Measure A does not pass.
Q: What is the Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance?
A: In 1988 the district created the Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance - an independent committee comprising representatives from local business, civic and community organizations - which meets annually to review the district’s budget and finances. The committee provides accountability for parcel tax expenditures and oversees district expenditures to make sure the district carefully manages its money. In addition, the district sends out an annual report card to the community which documents how parcel tax revenues are spent. After an intensive study of district finances last year, CACF recommended in December 2001 that the board of trustees increase the parcel tax to $597 per year in order to meet the district’s needs for at least the next four years.
Q: Why four years? What will happen then?
A: The Gann Appropriations Limit, passed by the voters in 1979, requires that the district go back to the voters every four years to get permission to spend Measure A funds. Budget projections reviewed by CACF show Measure A will meet district needs for at least the next four years. At that time, CACF will need to re-evaluate the district’s budget situation.
Q: Why are costs increasing faster than revenues?
A: Basic funding levels for the district are set by the state under a formula developed over 20 years ago. Although it includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), only 80 percent of the district’s total revenues are adjusted for COLA, while most of its expenses increase by inflation each year. In addition, the district must provide incentives to its teachers for experience and continuing education in order retain quality teachers. These costs, however, are not covered by the state’s COLA formula. As a result, district expenses increase by $700,000 more than revenues each year.
The district also had to deal with several unexpected cost increases during the last several years. In 2000 the governor reached an agreement with the state teachers union to try to bring teacher salaries up to more competitive levels through a one-time COLA of 10 percent. Although the state paid part of this increase, the increase costs the district an additional $500,000 each year. In 1999 the state also changed the way it reimburses and distributes the costs of special education programs. The state has never fully paid the costs of these mandated programs, but under the new formula the district’s annual deficit increased by $500,000. Finally, opening a seventh elementary school, necessary to keep school size at a reasonable level, has cost the district $400,000 per year in lost rents and will add $350,000 in operating expenses starting next fall.
Trustees voted to approve the CACF’s recommendation at the next board meeting in January 2002, but it was too late to place Measure A on the March ballot. Waiting until next November’s election would delay funding for next year’s budget, necessitating drastic staff reductions. The district chose the next state-sanctioned election date of April 9. The district’s experience indicates that a special election costs about $30,000 more than a general election - much less than the cost to the district of waiting until November.
Q: Why wasn’t advance notice of the special election posted in the Town Crier?
A: The district tried to post formal notice of the election in the Town Crier, but was told by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters that a weekly newspaper does not meet the legal criteria for posting the notice. The registrar suggested the Post-Record, which is frequently used by other jurisdictions holding elections. There was extensive editorial coverage about the election in a front-page article in the Town Crier.
Q: How does the exemption for senior citizens work?
A: If you are at least 65 years of age and live in your own home, you can apply annually at the district office for an exemption from the tax. Although seniors must renew their exemption each year, the district will send them a notice to facilitate the process. The current procedure will not change under the proposed new Measure A, and all current exemptions will continue automatically.
Q: I don’t have children in the Los Altos School District. Why should I vote for Measure A?
A: At the heart of a great community are good schools. Excellent schools make this community a very desirable place for families to live. Good schools attract prospective homebuyers and have a direct relationship to high property values. Education is a good investment.
Q: I have more questions. Where can I get more information?
A: You can call the Los Altos School District office at 941-4010 for more information about the parcel tax or the senior exemption. To find out how you can support Measure A, logon to the KLASS (Keep Los Altos Schools Strong) campaign Web site at www.klasscampaign.org, e-mail info@klasscampaign.org or call 568-7881.
-Taken from KLASS Campaign information.
