By Business also benefits from 'A'

I am writing in support of the Measure A parcel tax on the ballot for April 9 because a strong, well-funded school system benefits business owners, parents of school-age children and residents of Los Altos, alike. I also applaud the exceptional efforts of the Los Altos School District, as well as the Keep Los Altos Schools Strong campaign for championing Measure A.

As a downtown business owner, I concur with the Chamber of Commerce’s strong endorsement of Measure A. The Chamber of Commerce understands that the continued vitality of the Los Altos business community is intimately tied to the strength of Los Altos as a community and that the continued success of our school system helps keep Los Altos strong.

I also have two children entering the school system this fall. As a parent, I want my children to have every advantage possible and believe our public schools offer the most well-rounded (academic and social) education available. I am willing to spend a little more each year to support our schools as an investment in my children’s future.

Equally as important, as a property owner in Los Altos, I clearly see the connection between the success of our school system and the continued high property values. In large part people want to live in Los Altos because of the superior school system.

Finally, I grew up in Los Altos and attended the local schools. As an alumnus, I would like to see the school system prosper in the coming years.

For these reasons, I hope all business owners, parents and residents of Los Altos, as well as alumni, support Measure A on April 9.

Alex MyersLos Altos

Sacrifices for schools

When I was a youngster, a long time ago in a small Nebraska farming community, the school principal drove the best car in town. The school teachers lived in some of the nicest houses in town, and we didn’t even have running water.

It was not until later that I was able to appreciate the sacrifice that our townspeople went through to provide the education that we needed to succeed. I found when I was attending a university, I was able to hold my own, and better, with kids from more prestigious schools. The further I progressed, the more I appreciated that excellent start that my parents and their contemporaries provided me as a youngster.

Relatively, Los Altos is a much wealthier community than my hometown and the percentage of income that goes into education here is a lot less than in my hometown. If anything, we should try to get our school funding as much in our own control from the state as possible. Things like the parcel tax allow us to do that.

My wife Evelyn and I have never had kids in Los Altos schools, but we have felt a strong need to support them. We have the best schools and people swarm here to take advantage of them. So let’s keep it that way and support this parcel tax, Measure A, so the youngsters here won’t be shortchanged.

Tom AndersonLos Altos

Measure A increase outrageous

As a senior citizen (who is not quite yet 65 years old) who lives on a fixed income, the Measure A increase is outrageous. I believe in education and do not mind paying $264 - that is manageable. But since I only have $75 a month in discretionary spending money, this will reduce it by $27.75, leaving me with $47.25 or $11.81 to spend per week.

I feel that a roughly 126 percent increase is highway robbery. The Measure A people need to realize that there are a lot of seniors on limited incomes who live in Los Altos who cannot ask for a waiver. Please vote no on Measure A.

K. Gabrielle TiemannLos Altos

What’s in it for me?

Shouldn’t I base my vote on how it impacts me? Why should I vote for this measure if I don’t get something in return? Doesn’t the Los Altos School District budget their money properly? I did a little research and discovered the following:

The state has been delinquent in its funding of public schools lately, even in surplus years. Each year the state mandates new educational requirements on the school district without sufficient funding to cover the costs. Additionally, the state doesn’t fully fund COLA (cost of living adjustments) for many of the expenses the district is forced to pay. This means the district must cut programs and personnel or find additional funding to balance its budget.

According to the independent CACF ( Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance): “the district is facing a severe financial crisis and without additional funding to bridge the gap between insufficient revenues and increased program costs, the district cannot continue to offer its current level of educational program.”

Now back to the important question:”Why should I vote for Measure A”?

If I have children in the district, a yes vote will insure small school and class sizes and a continuation of top-notch test results.

If I have no children in the district, a yes vote will keep my property value inflated due to prospective home buyers who insist on being in the LASD boundaries.

Some will argue that it will increase our already high property taxes. My suggestion is: “Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish.” The relatively small tax increase will be overwhelmingly offset by the increased value of our homes if LASD can maintain its outstanding record.

If I am a senior citizen, by voting yes and exercising my exemption, I’ll reap the benefits of my higher property value and know I will be contributing to a better-educated community and future workforce.

If you don’t think LASD has done a laudable job with the scant funding it receives from the state, think again and do the research on your own.

Finally, if you think things will reamain the same at LASD schools if we defeat this measure, think again - they won’t!

John FarwellMountain View

Vote no on A, but give to LAEF

I intend to vote no on Measure A, the school parcel tax increase, but I will be increasing my contribution to the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), which will be matched by my employer.

In times of recession, low inflation and rising unemployment, it takes quite some nerve for the Los Altos School District to ask for a 126 percent parcel tax increase from $333 to $597.

Should we then expect another 126 percent increase to $1,350 four years from now? Remember, parcel taxes never go down.

The district also receives a failing grade for not getting their financial homework study done in time for the main election (although my cynical side tells me they preferred a special election all along for easier passage).

My friends with children in private schools are understandably very upset with the huge tax increase and are not swayed by the nebulous benefit of increased property values.

Indeed, the immediate impact of higher property assessments is simply increased property taxes anyway.

Currently the LAEF fundraising campaign is focused on families with children in the school district. For a fairer and voluntary means of raising money for the district, I suggest expanding the LAEF fund-raising to include every residence in Los Altos with emphasis on the employer matching benefit.

Vote No on Measure A, but give what you can to LAEF.

Wayne LanderLos Altos

Keep our schools great: Yes on A

I am a parent of three children in the Los Altos School District. I urge voters to vote yes on Measure A in the April 9 election.

Los Altos School District’s test scores are consistently at the very top of those from around the state. This is due to small class sizes, excellent programs, and great staff.

Since our district is No. 1 in California, our property values remain high even in economic downturns. Quality schools and programs cost money and like everything else, the price for goods and services increases.

Most of us expect cost of living raises, and that’s what the schools need now. Without the increased parcel tax, up to 40 teachers will have to be let go, which will increase class size and will be detrimental to the excellence of the district’s programs.

In addition, library personnel would be eliminated.

The books and shelves would still be there, but no one would read to the children, help them find books that interest them, or guide them in their choices for reading.

Music, art, science, and physical education programs would suffer as well.

We must keep our great staff, our classes small, our programs excellent if we are to continue to be the No. 1 district in California.

Excellent schools keep our property values high. Please go to the polls April 9 and vote yes on Measure A.

Karen Van De Vanter

Mountain View