4,443 / 60.3% Yes votes ...... 2,923 / 39.7% No votes

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Milpitas Unified School District

The following is the full ballot text of the proposition to be presented to the voters by the Milpitas Unified School District in the ballot pamphlet: To attract and retain qualified teachers, maintain instructors and equipment for science and technology education, keep small class sizes in grades K-3 and 9th grade English and math, and maintain quality programs in neighborhood schools; shall Milpitas Unified School District levy an annual tax of $140 per parcel for 5 years only, with annual audits, independent citizens oversight, no money for administrator salaries, an exemption for senior citizens age 65 or older, and all money benefiting local schools? Parcel tax funds shall be used to support educational programs and projects such as the following:

• Attracting and retaining quality teachers
• Maintaining instructors and equipment for science and technology education
• Maintaining small class size in grades K-3 to improve basic reading and writing skills
• Keeping small class sizes in 9th grade English and math courses Basis of 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.

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 and contiguous parcel determination, the decisions of the District shall be final and binding.

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 of Trustees 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 independent Citizen's Oversight Committee shall be appointed 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 of Trustees hereby declares, and the voters by approving this measure concur, that every section and part 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.