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Measure U School Improvements Franklin-McKinley School District Parcel Tax - 2/3 Approval Required
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Index of all Measures |
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Results as of Nov 25 11:10am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (42/42) |
Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text | |||||
Local Elementary School District Achievement Measure. "To improve overall quality of public education and enhance student achievement in local schools by enhancing math, science and literacy instruction; ensuring small class sizes in kindergarten through third grade; retaining teachers and expanding reading, counseling and tutoring programs for at-risk students, shall Franklin-McKinley School District assess an annual parcel tax of $72 per parcel for nine years with citizen oversight, independent audits and an exemption for senior citizen homeowners?" YES NO
The Board of Trustees of the Franklin-McKinley School District (the District) proposes levying a qualified special tax on each parcel within the District. The owners of each parcel of taxable real property in the District would pay an amount not to exceed $72 per parcel for a period of nine years. Any owner, age 65 and over, who occupies a parcel as a principal residence may be exempt from the special tax upon annual application for exemption. The specific purpose of the tax is to fund the following: improve math, science and literacy instruction; maintain and expand reading, counseling and tutoring programs for at-risk students; retain and attract qualified teachers; and maintain small class sizes in kindergarten through third grade. The proceeds of the special tax would be deposited into a separate fund and would only be used for the specific purposes stated in the measure. If the special tax is approved, the District would appoint an independent fiscal oversight committee to review the expenditure of special tax proceeds. The District would prepare and file an annual written report with the Board of Education detailing the amount of funds collected and spent and the status of any project authorized to be funded by this special tax. These accountability measures are consistent with the requirements set forth in Government Code sections 500751 and 50077.3. Additionally, the District would appoint an independent citizen oversight committee to advise the Board of Trustees on the expenditures of the proceeds of the parcel tax and to ensure that the funds are spent for the purposes approved by voters. Should the levy of the parcel tax result in a decrease or offset in any local, state or federal government revenue sources that would otherwise be available to the District, the District will cease or reduce the levy to the extent that reduction would restore the amount of any decrease or offset in other revenues. If the special tax is approved, the District's appropriations limit would be increased by the amount equal to the special tax collected for each year the special tax is authorized. A "yes" vote is a vote to approve a qualified special tax on parcels within the District for a nine-year period of time. A "no" vote is a vote not to approve the qualified special tax on parcels within the District for a nine-year period of time.
Ann Miller Ravel
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Official Information News and Analysis Google News Search Official Version of Ballot Measure
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Arguments For Measure U |
Vote Yes on Measure U to improve the quality of education in our local elementary and middle schools so students continue to achieve.
Our neighborhood schools in the Franklin-McKinley School District set high standards for every student. With strong programs in math science and literacy, student achievement is on the rise. But with dramatic state budget cuts to education, our local elementary and middle schools are facing serious cuts to academic programs. Without Measure U our schools could lose qualified teachers and class sizes could increase. Measure U will ensure that neighborhood schools continue to improve and that local students are prepared for future success in our high-tech, 21st century economy by:
We simply can't rely on the state to adequately fund our schools. Measure U provides guaranteed local funding to improve education in our neighborhood schools. Measure U Means Fiscal Responsibility Independent citizen oversight will audit spending and ensure that funds are spent wisely. Measure U funds go directly to local schools-the state can't take a single penny. No Measure U funds can be used for administrator salaries. Measure U expires in nine years and cannot be renewed without voter approval. Senior citizens can receive an exemption. Every student in our community deserves a high-quality education to succeed. Please join us to continue improving our local schools-Vote Yes on Measure U.
/s/ Corazon B. Tomalinas
(No arguments against Measure U were submitted) |
Full Text of Measure U |
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
To ensure reliable funding to improve the overall quality of education and enhance student achievement in local schools by enhancing math, science and literacy instruction, ensuring small class size in kindergarten through third grade, retain teachers and expand reading, counseling and tutoring programs for at-risk students, the Franklin-McKinley School District proposes to establish an education parcel tax for a period of nine years, beginning July 1, 2009, at the rate of $72 per year, on each assessor's parcel located within the Franklin-McKinley School District, with an exemption available for senior citizens, and to implement 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:
The education parcel tax shall be $72 (or less as provided below) per year for nine (9) full years assessed against each parcel. The proceeds of the education parcel tax shall be deposited into a separate account created by the District.
DEFINITION OF "PARCEL"
EXEMPTION FOR CONTIGUOUS PARCELS
EXEMPTION FOR SENIORS With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the Santa Clara 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. With respect to matters specific to the levy of the education parcel tax, including the Senior Citizen Exemption and the classification of property for purposes of calculating the tax, the decisions of a District administrative review panel shall be final and binding.
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 revenue sources that would otherwise be available to the Franklin-McKinley School District during the period of the education parcel tax. In the event that the levy and collection does have such an effect, the Franklin-McKinley School District shall 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 in other revenues.
ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES In addition to the accountability measures required by law, an independent citizen oversight committee shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the District to advise the Board on the expenditures funded by the measure in order to ensure that said funds are spent for the purposes approved by the voters. The oversight committee will monitor the expenditures of these funds by the District and will report on an annual basis to the Board and community on how these funds have been spent. |