See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize a qualified special tax on parcels within the Los Gatos Union School District for a six year period of time.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote is a vote not to authorize such a qualified tax.

The Board of Trustees proposes to levy a qualified special tax on each parcel within the district. An exemption is available for a person 65 years or older who owns and occupies as a principal residence a parcel and applies to the district for an exemption in accordance with guidelines established by the district.

The owners of each parcel would pay $290 per year for each parcel in the district for a period of six years. The proceeds of the tax would be used to avoid increases in class size, avoid reductions in science, literacy, art, music and other academic programs, to continue to provide student support services and to assure continuation of quality education.

The tax would appear as a separate item on each property tax bill and would be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as the general tax levy. Upon recording of the resolution confirming the special tax, such tax would be a lien upon the real property affected thereby.

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize a qualified special tax on parcels within the Los Gatos Union School District for a six year period of time.

A "no" vote is a vote not to authorize such a qualified tax.

Ann Miller Ravel, County Counsel

/s/ Kathryn A. Berry
Deputy County Counsel

Please note

The material about this Measure has been retyped from Registrar of Voters' material. There could be errors. The official material can be obtained from the Registrar of Voters.

Election Results

Our community has continually demonstrated a firm commitment to education and can take pride in the academic achievements of our students. Families choose to live in our community because of the excellent academic reputation of our schools.

However, since the most recent passage of the Parcel Tax in 1998, program costs have increased greatly. The 1998 revenues can no longer cover the rising costs of maintaining district programs and services at the same per pupil level.

In November, an independent, broad-based Citizens Advisory Committee met and recommended the district increase the existing Parcel Tax to meet these higher expenses.

State funding is unpredictable and expenditures are often mandated by the state. Measure B provides stable, locally controlled revenue for our schools.

Measure B insures that our children will continue to receive a quality education. It provides funding to preserve one of the smallest average class sizes in the county, to continue valuable academic and support programs such as science, art, music, libraries, school nurses and counselors, and to assist in the maintenance of school facilities. Without Measure B, Los Gatos Union School District would be forced to eliminate these programs and class size would increase substantially.

Our schools have long been a source of community pride. The Parcel Tax maintains that tradition and protects our community's high property values. Please join us in continuing to provide stable, locally controlled funds to keep our schools and community strong. Quality schools benefit everyone.

/s/ Mary Ann Park
Los Gatos Union School District Board of Trustees

/s/ Joanne Benjamin
Former Mayor, Town of Los Gatos

/s/ Keith J. Krach
Chairman of the Board, Ariba, Inc.

/s/ John Ray Cobb
Los Gatos Architect

/s/ Alex Granas
President, Los Gatos Union School District

/s/ Steve (Woz) Wozniak
Co-Founder, Apple Computer

(No arguments against Measure B were submitted)

"In order to avoid increases in class size, avoid reductions in art and music programs, continue to provide student support services and to assure a continuation of quality education, shall the Los Gatos Union School District provide funds for continuance of programs by levying a special parcel tax of $290 per parcel for a period of six years?

The purpose of the special tax is to improve the quality of education in the District by taking actions including:

1. Maintaining low class size;

2. Providing enhanced instruction in science, literacy, art, music and other academic programs;

3. Providing student support services such as psychologists, counselors, nurses and library personnel;

4. Maintaining school classrooms and facilities.

An exemption shall be granted annually on any parcel owned by one or more persons, 65 years old or over, occupying said parcel as a principal residence, upon annual application for exemption. In addition, exemptions may be granted annually for owners of multiple parcels, which are contiguous and constitute one economic unit, meaning they have the same primary purpose as the principal parcel and are not separate and distinct properties that can be independently developed or sold; and for property owners whose properties are extensively damaged by a natural disaster.

The special tax shall replace the special tax approved by voters in 1998. Pursuant to California Constitution article XIIIB and applicable laws, during the six-year period of this special tax, the appropriations limit for the District, but not the tax, will be adjusted periodically by the aggregate sum collected by levy of this special tax.

The proceeds of the special tax shall be applied only to the specific purposes identified above. The proceeds of the special tax shall be deposited into a fund, which shall be kept separate and apart from other funds of the District. No later than January 1 of each year while the tax is in effect, the District shall prepare and file with the Board of Trustees a report detailing the amount of funds collected and expended, and the status of any project authorized to be funded by this measure."