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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Santa Barbara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Measure I2008
Parcel Tax to Offset Budget Cuts
Santa Barbara Elementary School District
2/3 Approval Required

Pass: 25914 / 72.15% Yes votes ...... 10005 / 27.85% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Dec 2 1:22pm, 99.9% of Precincts Reporting (318/51)
Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To offset severe state budget cuts to our schools; protect the quality of education; enhance math, science and technology education and offer classroom music programs at the elementry school level, shall Santa Barbar Elementary School District be authorized to implement a $27 annual parcel tax for four years, with an available exemption for senior citizens, with independent citizen oversight, without administrative salaries, and with every dollar staying in our local schools?

Official Sources of Information

Impartial Analysis
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL SANTA BARBARA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEASURE I2008

California Constitution, Article XI1IA, section 4 and the California Government Code (§ 50075 et seq.) authorize a school district, upon approval of the voters within the district by a two-thirds vote (2/3), to impose a special tax on real property parcels within the district.

This measure, if approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the voters within the Santa Barbara Elementary School District (the "District") will authorize the District to levy a parcel tax of $27 per year against each parcel of land that lies wholly or partially within District boundaries that has been assigned an assessor's parcel number. (The full text of the measure is printed in the ballot pamphlet.)

The parcel tax is to be levied for four (4) fiscal years, without increase, beginning in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2009 and ending in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012. The parcel tax shall be collected in the same manner and will be subject to the same interest and penalties as general property taxes and the proceeds will be deposited into a separate restricted account and shall be used only for the following specific purposes:

  • Supplementing math, science and technology education;
  • Offering classroom music programs;
  • Providing a citizens oversight committee; and
  • Providing. independent financial audits.

An annual written report will be made to the District's Board of Education (the `Board") showing (1) the amount of funds collected and expended from tax proceeds, (2) the status of any projects or programs funded by the parcel tax listed above, and (3) an annual independent financial audit. Tax proceeds shall not be spent on administrative salaries.

The oversight committee shall advise the Board on expenditures funded by the measure to ensure funds are only spent for the purposes stated in the measure by the District. Charter schools authorized by the District shall share in the tax funding, proportional to the enrollment of students from the District and will report annually to the Board and community on how tax funds have been spent. Any owner, that is 65 years of age or older, of a parcel used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes may receive an exemption from the parcel tax by annually submitting an application by June 15 of each year to the Board in accordance with the Board's adopted rules and regulations.

A YES vote means the measure and parcel tax are APPROVED.

A NO vote means the measure and parcel tax are NOT APPROVED;

Dennis A. Marshall County Counsel

  
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Arguments For Measure I2008 Arguments Against Measure I2008
The Santa Barbara Elementary School District has provided high-quality educational programs since
1866. Due to substantial state budget cuts, local schools need supplemental local tax dollars to fund programs that provide our students with the highest quality education. Measure I2008 will provide a, stable, consistent, locally controlled funding source.

Measure I2008 will allow the Santa Barbara Elementary School District to:

  • Supplement math and science education;
  • Hire fulltime classroom music teachers, purchase musical instruments, and repair instruments for the music program; Enhance computer and educational technology.

Measure I2008 will improve the Santa Barbara Elementary School District by:

  • Maintaining critical school programs, such as music and performing arts programs, which bring together students with diverse backgrounds and offer positive opportunities for at-risk youth. Enhancing rigorous standards-based instruction and best teaching practices for student achievement

  • Providing support to all elementary schools, including charter schools, proportional to the enrollment of students from the Santa Barbara Elementary School District.

Measure I2008 protects taxpayers by:

. Requiring that all funds be used locally to improve the Santa Barbara Elementary School District.

. The Santa Barbara Elementary School District has provided high-quality educational programs since
1866. Due to substantial state budget cuts, local schools need supplemental local tax dollars to fund programs that provide our students with the highest quality education. Measure I2008 will provide a, stable, consistent, locally controlled funding source.

Measure I2008 will allow the Santa Barbara Elementary School District to:

  • Supplement math and science education;
  • Hire fulltime classroom music teachers, purchase musical instruments, and repair instruments for the music program; Enhance computer and educational technology.

Measure I2008 will improve the Santa Barbara Elementary School District by:
  • Maintaining critical school programs, such as music and performing arts programs, which bring together students with diverse backgrounds and offer positive opportunities for at-risk youth. . Enhancing rigorous standards-based instruction and best teaching practices for student achievement
  • Providing support to all elementary schools, including charter schools, proportional to the enrollment of students from the Santa Barbara Elementary School District.

Measure I2008 protects taxpayers by:

. Requiring that all funds be used locally to improve the Santa Barbara Elementary School District. Creating an independent citizen oversight committee, . Requiring annual reporting on expenditures and annual independent financial audit

  • Requiring compliance with accountability measures as determined by law.
  • Expires in four years unless reauthorized by voters. . Senior citizens may request exemption from the measure.

Measure I2008 is a smart investment in quality public education and in our community; there is a strong correlation between quality schools and property values.

Please join us in investing in the future of our children.

Harriet Mi11er, Former Mayor, City of Santa Barbara

Rusty Fairy, Former City Council Member, City of Santa Barbara

John Romo, Past President, Santa Barbara City College

Lynn Rodriguez, Former Trustee, Santa Barbara Elementary School District

Frank Banales, Executive Director, Zona Seca /s/ Title: Past PrOsident, Santa Barbara City College

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