League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Humboldt County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Measure E Parcel Tax Arcata School District 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 4,944 / 77.96% Yes votes ...... 1,398 / 22.04% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure E

Everyone knows the importance and value of having quality schools. From higher achieving students, to greater neighborhood safety, quality schools make a difference. However, because the state continues to reduce funding for public education, we need to do more to protect and maintain the quality of education. The Arcata Elementary School District needs to help its current funding. Funds raised by this local measure will be used to support instructional opportunities including nursing and library services, fine and performing art programs, and technology improvements. Our children need your YES vote on Measure E! If successful, Measure E will provide a stable source of local funds to offset the uncertainty of state funding. With the kind of support provided by the funds from Measure E, our students can become well rounded, contributing members of the community. Without it, their educational experience will be compromised. If passed, Measure E will improve local Arcata schools by: Fully funding school nurse programs to maintain and promote good health Maintaining small class sizes Making health and safety improvements Maintaining or expanding art, music and dance programs Retaining and/or rehiring certified staff members Measure E makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. By law, all parcel tax funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State. Measure E provides an exemption for any parcel owned and occupied by a person 65 years of age or older. Spending will be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee Measure E upgrades technology in classrooms and labs, helps improve the education of local students, and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and VOTE YES ON MEASURE E! s/ Alexandra Stillman, Arcata Council/Property Owner s/ Thomas G. Clapp, Rookery Books Owner s/ Mark E. Wheetley, Arcata City Council s/ Keith Rice, President, Kiwanis Club of Arcata s/ Dan Hauser, City Manager, Retired (No arguments against Measure E were submitted)

Full Text of Measure E

INTRODUCTION "To provide stable funding the State cannot take away; make health and safety improvements; fund school nursing programs to promote good health; maintain small class sizes; retain teachers; and protect and expand music, art, and dance programs; shall the Arcata Elementary School District collect a $49 yearly education tax for five years, providing an exemption for senior citizens, no money for administration, with citizen oversight and all money benefiting local Arcata Elementary schools?" PURPOSES To provide a local revenue source that cannot be taken by the State, the Arcata Elementary School District proposes to levy and collect an education parcel tax annually for 5 years as more fully described below under "EDUCATION PARCEL TAX AND PROCEDURES," and to implement accountability measures in connection with the education parcel tax and to provide oversight and accountability to ensure that funds are used only for the following specific purposes: Fund school nurse programs to maintain and promote good health Reduce class sizes Address immediate maintenance and safety issues to increase student safety Maintain or expand art, music and dance programs The Board of Trustees will not fund any program other than those listed above from the proceeds of the education parcel tax. EDUCATION PARCEL TAX AND PROCEDURES Amount of Education Parcel Tax. Subject to two-thirds approval of the voters, the education parcel tax of $49 per parcel (except exempt parcels, as described below) shall become effective commencing with fiscal year 2013-14 and be collected by the Humboldt County Tax Collector at the same time as and along with, and shall be subject to the same penalties as general ad valorem taxes collected by said tax collector. Definition of Parcel. A parcel shall be defined as any unit of land in the District that receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem property taxes from the Humboldt County Tax Collector. For purposes of this education parcel tax, any parcels which are (i) contiguous, and (ii) used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes, and (iii) held under identical ownership may, by submitting an application of the owners thereof by June 30 of each year to the District, be treated as a single "parcel" for purposes of the levy of the core academic programs parcel tax. Exemptions. The following exemptions shall apply to the levy of the qualified special tax. Otherwise Exempt Property. All property that would otherwise be exempt from property taxes shall also be exempt from the education parcel tax. Senior Citizen Exemption. An exemption shall be available to persons who are 65 years or older and own and occupy as a principal residence a parcel subject to the education parcel tax. Supplemental Security Income Exemption. An exemption shall be available to persons who receive Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") for a disability, regardless of age, and own and occupy as a principal residence a parcel subject to the education parcel tax. Property owners seeking the Senior Citizen or SSI exemption must apply to the District for such exemption under procedures established by the District or otherwise as required by law or by the Humboldt County Tax Collector. Exclusive Procedures. The procedures described herein with respect to the levy and collection of the education parcel tax and exemptions, and any additional procedures established by the Board of Trustees of the District, shall be the exclusive claims procedure for claimants seeking an exemption, refund, reduction, or re-computation of the qualified 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. The District's Board of Trustees may adopt such additional or supplemental procedures as it deems necessary or convenient for the administration of the education parcel tax. ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES Government Code Accountability. In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code sections 50075.1 and 50075.3, the following accountability measures, among others, shall apply to the qualified special taxes levied in accordance with this Measure: the specific purposes of the education parcel tax shall be those purposes identified above under the heading "PURPOSES," the proceeds of the education parcel tax shall be applied only to those specific purposes identified above under the heading "PURPOSES," a separate, special account shall be created into which the proceeds of the education parcel tax must be deposited; and the chief fiscal officer of the District shall file an annual written report with the Board of Trustees of the District showing (1) the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the education parcel tax and (2) the status of any projects, programs, or purposes identified above under the heading "PURPOSES." Citizens'OversightCommittee. Inadditiontotheaccountabilitymeasuresrequired by the Government Code, an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees 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 Citizens' 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. PROTECTION OF FUNDING Current law forbids any decrease in State or Federal funding to the District because oftheDistrict'sadoptionofaneducationparceltax. However,ifanysuchfundsare reduced because of the adoption of this education parcel tax, then the amount of the education parcel tax will be reduced annually as necessary in order to restore such State or Federal funding. SEVERABILITY The Board of Trustees of the District hereby declares, and the voters by approving this measure concur, that every section, paragraph, sentence and clause of this measure has independent value, and the Board of Trustees 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 be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid for any reason, all remaining parts hereof shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent allowed by law.