See Also: Index of all Measures

An exemption is created for owners aged sixty-five (65) years or older who use the parcel as his or her principal place of residence.

Dated: December 17, 2004

The citizens of Corte Madera and Larkspur recognize the importance of excellent local schools. Our schools are assets that distinguish the Twin Cities and help maintain property values. Traditionally strong support from community members and parents has helped ensure that our elementary and middle schools offer only high quality programs. In 2003, responding to a state funding crisis, a temporary two year supplemental parcel tax of $75 was approved by the voters. It expires in June, 2005.

Measure B provides for a six year renewal of the basic underlying parcel tax that our community has supported since 1988. This parcel tax has historically funded the District's core academic programs that have placed our schools among the best in the state for exceptional student achievement. This parcel tax currently funds 14% of the District's annual operating budget.

Measure B will help maintain:

• Small class sizes
• Quality programs in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, technology and music
• Highly qualified and experienced teachers and staff
• Up-to-date educational and instructional equipment, supplies, library and text books

Larkspur and Corte Madera have a proud tradition of supporting our outstanding schools. Please join us on March 8th in reaffirming that commitment. Vote YES on Measure B, a sensible investment in local education.

s/ Larry Chu

Larkspur City Council Member

s/ Charles H. Curley

Twice Mayor of Larkspur

s/ Melissa Gill

Corte Madera Town Councilmember, Former Mayor

s/ Harry Schriebman

Former Corte Madera Community Foundation President

s/ Kevin W. Mangan

President Board of Trustees, Larkspur School District

(No arguments against Measure B were submitted)

WHEREAS, in 1999 the voters of the District authorized a base parcel tax which expires on June 30, 2005 at $248.85; and in 2003 the voters of the District authorized a supplemental parcel tax which expires on June 30, 2005 at $75.00; and

WHEREAS, without a renewed authorization by the voters of a base parcel tax, an immediate and substantial reduction and elimination of educational programs and services will be necessary, which will have a severe and negative impact on the growing student population of the District; and

WHEREAS, the District has engaged in a variety of efforts to generate funds for its educational programs, including lobbying in the State Legislature, supporting local fund-raising efforts of the Corte Madera Larkspur Schools Foundation and the PTAs, and seeking grants; and

WHEREAS, the District has implemented economic and operational efficiencies, and adheres to the highest standards of fiscal accountability for which it has been praised by the County; and

WHEREAS, the voters of Corte Madera and Larkspur have consistently supported the District's excellent education program by approving parcel taxes for school operations and bonds for school renovation and modernization; and

WHEREAS, a thorough and well-developed public education program delivers many long-lasting benefits and advantages to all the residents of our community; and a high quality, community-directed school system favorably impacts property values, which is vital to the overall well-being of the entire community; and

WHEREAS, Section 4 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and Government Code Sections 50075, 50077, 50079 and 53720 et seq. authorize a school district to levy a parcel tax to raise funds for the purpose of conducting its business upon the approval by two-thirds of the votes cast;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Larkspur School District conduct a special election on March 8, 2005, to submit to the qualified voters of the Larkspur School District a measure to authorize renewal of a parcel tax for the purpose of continuing vital programs critical to the education of the District's students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Larkspur School District Board of Trustees as follows:

Section 1. This election is hereby called to be held within the boundaries of the Larkspur School District, to submit to the qualified voters, the following measure, to wit:

MEASURE B

To maintain the high quality of public education in Corte Madera and Larkspur by providing continued support for small class sizes, exceptional instructional programs, and highly qualified staff for a growing student population, shall the Larkspur School District be authorized to renew a parcel tax commencing July 1, 2005 for a maximum of six years at the rate of $289.00 per parcel per year with a 5% annual adjustment and an exemption for property owners 65 and older?

The district will use the funds generated from the parcel tax renewal, to the greatest extent possible, to maintain the following:

• Small class sizes;

• Quality programs in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, music and art;

• Highly qualified and experienced teachers and staff;

• Current educational and instructional equipment, supplies, library and text books; and

• Support services needed for a safe and educationally sound environment for children.

Section 2. The text of the measure as displayed on each individual ballot shall be abbreviated and shall read as follows:

To maintain the high quality of public education in Corte Madera and Larkspur by providing continued support for small class sizes, exceptional instructional programs, and highly qualified staff for a growing student population, shall the Larkspur School District be authorized to renew a parcel tax commencing July 1, 2005 for a maximum of six years at the rate of $289.00 per parcel per year with a 5% annual adjustment and an exemption for property owners 65 and older?

YES NO

Section 3. Commencing on July 1, 2005, the parcel tax collected annually on all assessor's parcels at the rate specified above, shall be collected and administered in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are fixed and collected under provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Section 4. The Superintendent of Schools of Marin County is hereby requested to call an election of this parcel tax to be held on March 8, 2005. The County Clerk is hereby requested and authorized to : 1) set forth this measure on all sample ballots relating to this election to be mailed to the qualified electors of the Larkspur School District; and 2) to provide absentee voter ballots for this parcel tax election for use by qualified electors of the Larkspur School District who are entitled thereto in the manner provided by law.

Section 5. If any section, subsection, phrase or clause of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution. This governing board declares that it would have adopted this resolution and each section, subsection, phrase or clause thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, phrases or clauses shall be declared invalid.

Section 6. The clerk of the Larkspur School District governing board is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the due adoption of this resolution and to transmit a copy hereof so certified to the Marin County Superintendent of Schools and to file a copy hereof so certified with the Marin County Clerk.

The foregoing resolution was moved by Board Member Sally Blatt, seconded by Board Member Nicole Kowalski, and adopted by roll call vote on December 8, 2004, by the following vote:

AYES: Blatt, Futterman, Kowalski, Mangan, Weeks

NOES: None

ABSENT/NOT VOTING: None

s/ Kevin W. Mangan, President s/ Michael Futterman, Clerk

Board of Trustees Board of Trustees

I, Bob Cone, Secretary to the Board of Trustees, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of the LARKSPUR SCHOOL DISTRICT at its meeting of December 8, 2004, which Resolution is on file in the office of said Board.

Dated: December 8, 2004

s/ Bob Cone, Secretary to the Board of Trustees