League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Mateo County, CA November 5, 2013 Election
	Measure R Educational Parcel Tax Belmont-Redwood Shores School District 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 5,551 / 72.0% Yes votes ...... 2,161 / 28.0% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure R

Vote YES on Measure R to protect excellent education in our community without increasing taxes by a single penny. We are proud that our Belmont and Redwood Shores elementary and middle school students earn top scores on statewide exams - and Measure R will help keep them on top. Measure R renews existing voter-approved funding for our schools that will expire soon without your YES vote. All Measure R funds will stay in local classrooms to support student success, protect outstanding academic programs, and retain qualified teachers - not a single cent can be taken away by the state. Student enrollment has increased dramatically because our schools are well-known for academic excellence. Yet our schools have not received any increase in state funding. In fact, the state has cut $8.5 million from our schools over the past 5 years - so our schools are educating more students with less money. That is why Measure R is more critical than ever for local students. Vote YES on R to continue student success in our schools. Protect math, science, reading, and writing programs support school libraries attract and retain qualified teachers maintain a well-rounded curriculum including music and art Measure R does not increase taxes by one penny. All funds stay in local schools and cannot be taken away by the state continues an exemption for senior citizens prohibits funds from being used for central administrators' salaries independent citizens' oversight is required expires in 10 years and cannot be renewed without voter approval Our excellent schools make Belmont and Redwood Shores desirable places to live, protecting property values for all of us. Please join us to protect our outstanding Belmont and Redwood Shores schools, without increasing taxes - Vote YES on R. /s/ Carole L. Wong, Redwood Shores resident /s/ John R. Violet Belmont City Treasurer /s/ Mary Morrissey Parden Belmont Chamber of Commerce Former President /s/ George Metropulos Teacher, Belmont-Redwood Shores School District /s/ Sue Kim-Ahn Redwood Shores Elementary parent (No arguments against Measure R were submitted)

Full Text of Measure R

Introduction and Purpose To maintain academic excellence by protecting and enhancing reading, writing, math and science programs, supporting school libraries, attracting and retaining qualified teachers, and maintaining a well-rounded curriculum, including music and art, and supporting technology upgrades, the Belmont - Redwood Shores Elementary School District proposes to renew and extend its two existing core academic programs parcel taxes, without increasing the current tax rate, for a period of ten years from July 1, 2015. If approved by the voters, the combined education parcel tax shall remain the same as is currently collected, namely $174 per year assessed against each Parcel located within the Belmont - Redwood Shores Elementary School District, with an exemption for senior citizens and recipients of SSI for a disability and to implement strict accountability measures in connection with the temporary levy that are over and above those required by law, including the appointment of an independent citizen oversight committee to provide oversight and accountability to ensure the funds are used to: Protect math, science, reading, and writing programs; Support school libraries Attract and retain qualified teachers, and Maintain well-rounded curriculum, including music and art UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ANY OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE EDUCATIONAL SPECIAL TAX BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATORS' SALARIES OR BENEFITS. The proceeds of the education parcel tax shall be deposited into a separate account created by the District. Definition of "Parcel" For purposes of the special tax, the term "parcel" means any parcel of land which lies wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District that receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem property taxes from the San Mateo County Assessor/Tax Collector. All property that is otherwise exempt from or upon which are levied no ad valorem property taxes in any year shall also be exempt from the education parcel tax in such year. For purposes of this special tax, any such "parcels" which are (i) contiguous, (ii) used solely for owner-occupied, single family residential purposes, and (iii) held under identical ownership may, by submitting an application of the owners thereof by June 30 of any year to the District, be treated as a single "parcel" for the purposes of the levy of this education parcel tax. Exemption of Seniors and SSI Recipients Pursuant to the California Government Code Section 50079(b), any owners of a Parcel used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes and who are either (a) 65 years of age or older, or (b) persons receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age, may obtain an exemption from the education parcel tax by submitting one application by June 30 of any year to the District. Once an exemption has been granted, the exemption is effective for the full remaining term of the educational parcel tax. Persons who have qualified for such an exemption under Measure G and Measure U will automatically qualify for a similar exemption from this Measure without any further application needing to be filed with the District. With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the San Mateo County Assessor/Tax Collector or other appropriate County tax officials, shall make all final determinations of tax exemption or relief for any reason and that decision shall be final and binding. The District shall make all determinations with respect to matters specific to the levy of the education parcel tax, including the Senior Citizen Exemption and the SSI Exemption, and the classification of property for purposes of calculating the tax, and all such decisions of the District shall be final and binding. No Increase in Current Tax Rate The Measure G and Measure U academic program parcel taxes, which expire on June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016, respectively shall be renewed and extended for ten years starting on July 1, 2015, and ending on June 30, 2025, and assessed against every parcel in the District. If approved by the voters, the combined education parcel tax shall remain the same as is currently collected under Measure G and U, namely $174 per year assessed against each Parcel and be collected for a period of ten additional years, commencing July 1, 2015. If the 2013 Educational Parcel Tax is approved by the voters on November 5, 2013, the levy of the 2013 Educational Parcel Tax of $174 per parcel per year shall commence on July 1, 2015. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Measure G and U parcel taxes will be collected at a combined rate of $174 per parcel per year. On June 30, 2015, Measure G will expire by its terms and Measure U will be terminated. No additional levy may be made on Measure U and G on and after June 30, 2015. On and after July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2025, only the 2013 Educational Parcel Tax is authorized to be levied at a rate of $174 per parcel per year. Reduction in Tax If Result is Less Other Government Support The collection of the education parcel tax is not intended to decrease or offset any increase in local, state, or federal government sources that would otherwise be available to the District during the period of the education parcel tax. In the event that the levy and collection does have such an effect, the District may cease the levy or shall reduce the education parcel tax to the extent that such action would restore the amount of the decrease or offset. 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 education parcel tax levied in accordance with this Measure: (a) the specific purposes of the education parcel tax shall be those purposes identified above; (b) the proceeds of the education parcel 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 education parcel tax must be deposited; and (d) an annual written report shall be made to the Board of Trustees of the District showing (i) the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the education parcel tax and (ii) the status of any projects or programs required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the education parcel tax, as identified above, and (e) the District shall appoint and independent citizens' oversight committee to review the expenditures of the education parcel tax and report its findings directly to the Board of Trustees of the District.