League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Measure T School Improvements Evergreen School District Parcel Tax - 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 24,238 / 73.85% Yes votes ...... 8,581 / 26.15% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure T

Evergreen School District is one of the top performing districts in Santa Clara County. All eighteen of our schools have received the prestigious California Distinguished School Award. Our schools are a point of pride in our community. State funding for Evergreen schools has been cut by millions of dollars. Measure T preserves the high quality education our local elementary and middle school students deserve. Children benefit from the individual attention they receive in small classes. Measure T protects the class size reduction program, maintaining small class sizes and preserving a strong learning environment for students. Today's students need to be prepared for tomorrow's jobs. Measure T enhances science and math instruction to raise student achievement. Measure T improves school safety. It ensures adequate student supervision and safety at all schools through appropriate staffing. Creative problem solving skills are critical in today's global economy. Studies show that students with involvement in arts and music programs average 90 points higher on the SAT. Measure T restores art and music programs to our schools. Measure T is a low cost, smart investment. High quality schools in our neighborhoods protect property values and provide for a strong community. Measure T will cost homeowners only $7.50 a month, is guaranteed not to increase over time, and Measure T expires in 5 years. Measure T also allows for an exemption for senior citizens. Measure T has built in taxpayer protections to ensure funds are spent wisely and appropriately. It requires annual audits, a citizen's oversight committee and absolutely no money for district office administrators' salaries. Measure T is our opportunity to ensure that Evergreen schools remain the pride of our neighborhoods where our children receive a world class education. Our students deserve our support. Vote Yes on Measure T. For more information, visit http://www.yes4evergreenschools.com. /s/ Sylvia Alvarez President, Evergreen School District Board of Trustees /s/ Aaron Brengard Teacher, Evergreen School District /s/ Laura Lynne M. Quisenberry President, Evergreen PTA Council /s/ Vincente M. Songcayawon Board Member, Evergreen Business and Professional Association /s/ Muhammed Chaudhry President/CEO, Silicon Valley Education Foundation (No arguments against Measure T were submitted)

Full Text of Measure T

To enhance student achievement in local schools through maintaining the class size reduction program, providing individual attention from teachers, enhancing science and math instruction, maintaining safe schools, and bringing back music and arts programs, shall the Evergreen School District assess an annual parcel tax of $90 per parcel, for five years, with citizen oversight and independent audits, an exemption for senior citizens, and no money for district administrators' salaries? The purpose of the measure is to fund the following specific types of programs and services: a) Maintaining the kindergarten through third grade class size reduction program; b) Providing individual attention from teachers; c) Enhancing science and math instruction; d) Restoring music and arts programs; e) Maintaining safe school campuses. Basis of Tax. The parcel tax shall be $90 per Parcel of Taxable Real Property beginning in fiscal year 2008-2009 for a period of 5 years. The District shall provide the Santa Clara County Tax Collector a report indicating the parcel number and amount of tax for each Parcel of Taxable Real Property. "Parcel of Taxable Real Property" is defined as any unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem property taxes from the County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. All property that is otherwise exempt from or upon which no ad valorem property taxes are levied in any year shall also be exempt from the special tax in such year. Multiple parcels which are contiguous, under common ownership, and that constitute one economic unit, meaning that they have the same primary purpose as the principal parcel and are not separate and distinct properties that may be independently developed or sold, shall comprise a single Parcel of Taxable Real Property for purposes of the parcel tax. An exemption may be granted on any parcel owned by one or more persons aged 65 years or older who occupies said parcel as a principal residence, upon application for exemption. Claim/Exemption Procedures With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the Santa Clara 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, including the Senior Citizen Exemption, 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. Appropriations Limit Pursuant to California Constitution article XIIIB and applicable laws, the appropriations limit for the District will be adjusted periodically by the aggregate sum collected by levy of this special tax. Accountability Measures 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 a report detailing the amount of funds collected and expended, and the status of any project authorized to be funded by this measure. In addition, an advisory committee of citizens shall be appointed or designated by the Board of Trustees to ensure that the special tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes, and to report annually to the Board of Trustees and the public regarding the expenditure of such funds. Severability The Board hereby declares, and the voters by approving this measure concur, that every section and part of this measure has independent value, and the Board and the voters would have adopted each provision hereof regardless of every other provision hereof. Upon approval of this measure by the voters, should any part of the measure or taxing formula be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid for any reason, all remaining parts of the measure or taxing formula hereof shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent allowed by law.