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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Ventura County, CA March 2, 2004 Election
Measure D4
Parcel Tax
Oak Park Unified School District

2/3 Approval Required

3,763 / 81.3% Yes votes ...... 863 / 18.7% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of May 4 2:48pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (10/10)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To protect high quality education at our neighborhood schools and reduce the impact of unprecedented budget cuts on classroom instruction by retaining qualified teachers, avoiding class size increases, maintaining up-to-date textbooks and preserving essential academic programs that enhance student achievement shall Oak Park Unified School District assess $197 per parcel annually for five (5) years with an exemption for seniors, annual audits, independent citizen oversight, no proceeds for administrator salaries and all funds remaining in Oak Park to benefit local children?

Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
Pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of article XIIIA of the California Constitution and sections 50075,50076,50077,50079 and 53722 et seq. of the California Government Code, this measure will, if approved by two-thirds of the votes cast by the voters of the Oak Park Unified School District ("District") voting on the measure, authorize the District to levy a qualified special tax, in the amount of $197 per parcel annually for five (5) years, assessed against each parcel of taxable land within the District, for the following specified purposes: to protect high quality education at the neighborhood schools and reduce the impact of unprecedented budget cuts on classroom instruction by retaining qualified teachers, by avoiding class size increases, by maintaining up-to-date textbooks and by preserving essential academic programs that enhance student achievement.

The District has committed that no such qualified special tax funds would be for administrator salaries and that all such funds would remain within the District to benefit local children.

The District has committed to exempt from the special tax each individual who applies to the District for exemption and who both is 65 years or over and owns and occupies as a principal residence a parcel (a unit of land within the District that receives a separate tax bill).

The District has committed to follow the accountability measures of sections 50075.1 and 50075.3 of the California Government Code and to establish and appoint members to an independent citizens oversight committee to ensure the proper expenditure of the qualified special tax funds.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "D4". If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the district elections official's office at (818) 735-3212 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

 
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Arguments For Measure D4 Arguments Against Measure D4
All six schools that comprise the Oak Park Unified School District rank among the best in California and the nation. 98% of our students go on to college. Exceptional teachers, challenging programs, support from parents and the community contribute to high student achievement.

The recent state budget crisis resulted in significant budget cuts to our neighborhood schools. The school district has reduced administration and non-teaching staff to the minimum levels required to ensure student safety and provide basic educational services. There is no more administration to cut and no untapped sources of funding. Future cuts will directly impact classroom instruction *- meaning significant teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and reductions in valued educational programs.

Measure D4, a temporary school assessment, will provide funds to maintain essential programs and preserve academic performance. Specifically, Measure D4 will provide funds to avoid reductions in teaching staff, retain qualified/experienced teachers, avoid increases in class sizes, maintain up-to-date textbooks/classroom supplies, preserve music/art education, and maintain college prep/honors courses.

To minimize the cost of Measure D4 to taxpayers, the district has reduced the amount property owners pay each year to retire school facility bonds. As a result, the net cost of Measure D4 to the average homeowner is only about $6 per month.

The cost of Measure D4 is deductible on state and federal taxes. Seniors are eligible for an exemption. Measure D4 is limited to 5 years and cannot be extended without voter approval. An independent citizens oversight committee will ensure Measure D4 funds are properly spent.

All Measure D4 funds will remain in Oak Park to benefit local children. No funds can be taken away by the State. Good schools help keep our property values high and help maintain the quality of life in our community.

PLEASE VOTE YES ON MEASURE D4.

s/Cindy Vinson, President Oak Park Unified Board of Education
s/Wayne Blasman, Chairman - Friends of Oak Park Schools
s/Theodore (Ted) Dahl, Friends of Oak Park Schools
s/Susan Alien, Teacher OVHS/Parent
s/Steven Iceland, Chairman - Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

No argument against this measure was submitted.


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Created: May 4, 2004 14:49 PDT
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