League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA June 2, 2009 Election
	Measure E Temporary Local Funding to Offset Loss of State Funds Piedmont Unified School District parcel tax - 2/3 Approval Required Official Election Results. Pass: 3727 / 73.2% Yes votes ...... 1364 / 26.8% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure E

Arguments Against Measure E

The quality of Piedmont schools depends on the passage of both Measures B and E. The existing school parcel tax + which represents nearly 30% of Piedmont Unified School District's budget + is set to expire at a time when Piedmont schools are also facing unprecedented reductions in funding from the State. Measure B will maintain current parcel tax funding that is set to expire. It will not change the basic tax Piedmont citizens are already paying. However, even if Measure B passes, our schools will still need to make significant cuts. Measure E is a companion measure to provide temporary emergency funding to offset the most devastating cuts. The state budget reductions will cost Piedmont schools over $1 million per year in lost state funding. This is the equivalent of 18 full time teachers or 10 days of instruction for every child in the district. This spring the district issued layoff notices to teachers, librarians, counselors, and individuals essential to educational programs. Passage of Measure E will allow most of these individuals to remain in our Piedmont schools. While passage of Measure B is essential, Measure E will provide temporary emergency funding for 3 years only to offset the state cuts. Measure E will cost an average of less than $5 per week. Measure E, together with passage of Measure B, will allow us to avoid most teacher layoffs, increases in class sizes, and cuts to programs such as music, foreign language, library and counseling services. An independent citizens' oversight committee will review the use of parcel tax funding to ensure these funds are spent properly. If state funding is restored before Measure E expires in 3 years, it will be terminated early. Please join Piedmont parents, teachers and community leaders in voting YES on both Measures B and E. s/Chad Olcott Business Owner, Mulberry's Market s/Lisa Lomenzo Former President of Piedmont Education Foundation s/Jon Q. Reynolds Piedmont Resident s/Lindsey Meyersieck Parent s/Mary M. Geong Community Activist and Past President Piedmont Asian American Club Rebuttal to Arguments For The argument for Measure E is misleading. It uses scare tactics by painting an incomplete picture of school district finances. It seems the district wants to sell an unnecessary tax instead of accepting the challenge of good budgeting. While the district faces a cut in state funding (equaling about 3% of the budget), total income will be about the same next year. The real problem is an uncontrolled budget. In the last three years, spending has increased by about $5 million, or about 20%. The average annual increase has been over 6% or about $1.6 million. The problem is historic. In this decade, employee compensation has gone up by almost 60% + in some individual years as much as 9% to 11%. To cover these extraordinary increases the district has more than tripled the parcel taxes. This proposed new tax, Measure E, would be another increase, of about 15% against the current base. Even in the current deep recession, with inflation near zero, the district continues to project generous salary and benefit increases. The simple fact is that good budgetary planning and control could solve the current temporary shortfall without any long term effect on educational quality and while essentially maintaining the current staff. We urge Piedmont citizens to insist the school district take a sharp pencil to its budget. If the district doesn't allow uncontrolled new expenses, it can maintain current programs and stay within current revenue limits. Please vote "No on Measure E." s/Michael Rancer University Budget Director s/Aaron P. Salloway s/Royce A. Charney President, Trust Administrators, Inc. s/Charles C. Jenkins, M.D. Surgeon

We recommend Piedmont voters reject Measure E, the second of two proposals to increase the school district parcel tax. With it, the district is attempting to cover a small budget deficit (about 3% of the budget) with a new, unprecedented tax that is about a 15% increase over existing levies on the city's smallest parcels. We are in an era when the state and local governments are trying to patch budget holes of 10%, 20%, 30% or more. It is therefore unbelievable that the Piedmont school district cannot find a way to cover a 3% deficit without a major tax increase. Our citizens are struggling with the effects of a deep, prolonged and worsening recession. Now is not the time to raise their taxes. The district tells us that Piedmont's excellent schools are at risk without this new tax. Yet in public presentations on staffing and student ratios, Piedmont ranks among the very highest districts in the state; a 3% budget trim would not threaten either those ratios or our place in the statewide rankings. However, our district would rather raise your parcel taxes by 15% than have to grapple with the realities and priority setting of budget management. The downturn in district revenues is likely to be relatively short term + perhaps a year or two. This means that the district can deal with it as a temporary budget reduction, not as a permanent downgrading of our fine local educational system. Unfortunately this is the district that brought us the school seismic retrofit fiasco. Now it has proven to be deaf to voters' concerns about taxes. We agree with the late Justice Holmes that "Taxes are the price we pay for civilization." However, excessive taxes are the refuge of incapable leaders. Please vote "No on Measure E." s/Michael Rancer University Budget Director s/Aaron P. Salloway s/Royce A. Charney President, Trust Administrators, Inc. s/Charles C. Jenkins, M.D. Surgeon Rebuttal to Arguments Against Piedmont schools have already made significant cuts. Administrative positions, non-teaching staff, instructional aides and school facility maintenance have been reduced. Employees are paying more for their benefits and salaries have been frozen. Every effort has been made to keep cuts away from the classroom. However, with the current parcel tax expiring along with unprecedented reductions in state funding, our school district has no choice but to make deep cuts that will impact the quality of classroom instruction. Measure E gives our community a choice. Before we dismantle our outstanding educational system, Measure E gives our community the option to avoid the most devastating cuts. Measure E is a temporary measure that will last for 3 YEARS ONLY. It is specifically designed to address the short-term funding reductions resulting from the state budget crisis. Measure E requires an Independent Citizens' Advisory Committee to regularly review the budget, examine the use of funds and recommend if Measure E is needed for the maximum 3 year duration. If Measure E is no longer needed, it will be terminated early. Measures B and E won't prevent all of the cuts. Measure E only offsets about two-thirds of the state cutbacks. About $1 million in cuts will still be required. But these measures will prevent the most devastating cuts, and without them our schools will lose more great teachers, challenging academic programs, small class sizes + the factors that make Piedmont schools among the best in the nation. Please vote Yes on B and E. s/Chad Olcott Business Owner, Mulberry's Market s/C.William Hosler Investor, Piedmont Parent s/Jon Q. Reynolds Piedmont Resident s/Terry London Piedmont Parent s/Andrea Swenson President, Piedmont High School Parents Club

Full Text of Measure E

INTRODUCTION To offset the loss of state funds by providing emergency temporary local funding, shall Piedmont Unified School District levy an additional special tax up to the amounts specified in the voter pamphlet (averaging $249 per parcel) for three years to avoid teacher and staff layoffs, protect programs and services including music, foreign language, library and counseling, and prevent other cuts to core academic programs and services, with citizens' oversight and all funds staying locally to benefit Piedmont children? PURPOSE The purpose of this measure is to offset the impact of devastating cuts in State budget funding for the District by providing a temporary increase in local revenue that cannot be taken by the State and that will go toward avoiding teacher and staff layoffs, keeping school libraries open, maintaining classroom technology, and preventing other cuts to core academic programs and services, with all funds staying locally to benefit Piedmont schools. The Board of Education will fund all of the programs and purposes listed above, unless the Board of Education determines in any given year that changes in student population, fiscal constraints, or other changes in state or federal funding make doing so infeasible or inadvisable. In any event, the Board of Education will not fund any program or purposes or reduction other than those listed above from the proceeds of the special taxes. The special taxes would be in effect for a period of three years, beginning July 1, 2009, at the rates shown below on each assessor's parcel located wholly or partly within the School District. PROCEDURES Each year as part of the annual budget adoption process, the Board of Education will determine the total amount of expenditures necessary to provide a superior educational program including the specialized services and programs enumerated above and deduct therefrom the projected revenue to be gathered from sources other than this special tax. The difference, if any, shall be the maximum amount of funds to be derived from the tax authorized by this measure for such year. Prior to the levying of the special tax in any given year, the Board will conduct a public hearing on the matter. Notice of the time, date, and place of hearing shall be published pursuant to Government Code Section 6061 at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the District, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing. Following said hearing each year, the Board shall adopt a resolution establishing the amount of tax to be raised for that year and the rate per parcel, not to exceed the amounts enumerated below. Any tax levied shall become a lien upon the properties against which taxes are assessed and collectible as herein provided. The District will not levy this tax if Piedmont Unified School District's State Revenue Limit is projected to be funded with a zero deficit factor as listed in School Services' "Dartboard" annually in January after the Governor's Budget is released. A Public Hearing will be held by the Board at its Regular Meeting on June 10, 2009 as to the levy of this tax starting July 1, 2009. The hearing process will be held annually thereafter as described in the "PROCEDURES" Section above. Subject to two-thirds approval of the voters, the qualified special tax shall become effective as of July 1, 2009 and be collected by the Alameda County Tax Collector at the same time as and along with, and shall be subject to the same penalties as general ad valorem taxes collected by said tax collector. The tax and penalty shall bear interest at the same rate as the rate for unpaid ad valorem property taxes until paid. With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the Alameda County Tax Assessor or other appropriate County tax official shall make all final determinations of tax exemption or relief for any reason, and that decision shall be final and binding. With respect to matters specific to the levy of the special tax, the decisions of the District shall be final and binding. The procedures described herein, and any additional procedures established by the Board, shall be the exclusive claims procedure for claimants seeking an exemption, refund, reduction, or re-computation of the special tax. Whether any particular claim is to be resolved by the District or by the County shall be determined by the District, in coordination with the County as necessary. The District's Board of Education may adopt such additional or supplemental procedures as it deems necessary or convenient for the administration of the special tax. RATES The special tax shall be assessed at the following rates: Parcel with Single Family Dwelling 0-4,999 sq. ft. lot $219/parcel 5,000-9,999 sq. ft. lot $249/parcel 10,000-14,999 sq. ft. lot $284/parcel 15,000-19,999 sq. ft. lot $326/parcel more than 20,000 sq. ft. lot $372/parcel Parcel with Multi-Family Dwellings Multi-family dwellings/unit, all lot sizes) $146/unit Multiple Parcel Dwellings $239/dwelling Commercial Property 0-10,000 sq. ft. lot $372/parcel Commercial lots greater than 10,000 sq. ft. $556/parcel Undeveloped Parcel $111/parcel The uses and sizes of all parcels shall be determined according to the records of the Alameda County Tax Assessor. For parcels divided by Tax Code Area lines, the payment for the portion of the parcel within the Piedmont Unified School District shall be the same as the above square footage rates. ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code sections 50075.1 and 50075.3, the following accountability measures, among others, shall apply to the special taxes levied in accordance with this Measure: (a) the specific purposes of the special tax shall be those purposes identified above; (b) the proceeds of the special tax shall be applied only to those specific purposes identified above; (c) a separate, special account shall be created into which the proceeds of the special taxes must be deposited; and (d) an annual written report shall be made to the Board of Education of the District showing (i) the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the special taxes and (ii) the status of any projects or programs required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the special taxes, as identified above, and (iii) recommendation to the Board as to the levy amount up to the maximum allowable for the subsequent year's tax. The written report shall be submitted by a Citizens Advisory Committee appointed by the Board. The Advisory Committee composition and appointment procedures shall be adopted by the Board prior to the election on June 2, 2009. PROTECTION OF FUNDING Current law forbids any decrease in State or Federal funding to the District because of the District's adoption of a parcel tax. However, if any such funds are reduced because of the adoption of this parcel tax, then the amount of the special taxes will be reduced annually as necessary in order to restore such State or Federal funding.