Vote Yes on Measures H & I: Safe and Sound Schools

By Karen (Johnson) Hemphill

I urge everyone to vote YES on Measures H & I which are continuations of school maintenance (Measure H) and school construction (Measure I) taxes that property owners already pay in Berkeley to support our public schools.

Measure H, the school maintenance parcel tax pays for every day maintenance and repairs, such as graffiti removal, heating system repairs, fixing broken windows and doors, and maintaining landscaping around our schools. If Measure H does not pass, we will have to either let our schools fall into disrepair or take money out of the General Fund - which pays for classroom teachers and academic programs (janitor services are already paid for by the General Fund which comes from dwindling state-provided revenues).

Measure I, the school bond measure is necessary in order to build new classrooms for our expanding enrollment, build additional science labs and other hands-on technical classrooms for 21st Century careers, and continue scheduled replacement of major facility systems such as roofs, heating systems, flooring, and playground/gym surfaces and equipment over the next ten years.

Both measures are subject to annual independent audits and are mandated to have public oversight committees (and as a past member of a school parcel tax committee, I know just how seriously members take their oversight responsibilities).

Please vote YES on Measures H & I.