27,525 / 73.03% Yes votes ...... 10,165 / 26.97% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Since Proposition 13 passed in 1978 and the funding of California schools shifted primarily to the State, more and more school districts have experienced reduced and increasingly unstable funding. Local parcel taxes provide one way to provide secure, enhanced funding for “soft” costs (non-capital expenses) such as teacher salaries, books, materials, computers and other equipment, and for art, music, physical education, and sports programs.

A Parcel Tax is a school district “qualified special tax”. Cities, counties and other districts also adopt special taxes which require approval at an election by at least 2/3 of those voting on the measure. The law does not specifically limit how the tax proceeds may be spent, but a school board can impose any limits it chooses in the ballot measure.

Currently, the SMMUSD has two Parcel Taxes (Measures S and Y) that are running concurrently. Both were approved by the voters of Santa Monica and Malibu by votes exceeding the 2/3 requirement.

Measure S is a parcel tax that brings in $6.5 million a year ($225 per parcel) into the SMMUSD general fund. Measure S sunsets in 2009.

Measure Y is a parcel tax that brings in $3.9 million ($121 per parcel) a year. Measure Y sunsets in 2011.

Together, Measures S and Y are one of the district's largest funding sources. The revenue raised by these two parcel taxes is estimated at $10.4 million for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

Both parcel tax measures support smaller class sizes in the school district. Because of the financial support from the two parcel taxes, the district has been able to sustain K-3 class size reduction at 20:1 and class size of approximately 30:1 in middle and high school.

Parcel Tax S and Y also provide for library programs, enabling schools to create centers for technology and literacy, and hire librarians and library techs. Using the parcel tax funds, SMMUSD schools have been able to continue music programs and physical education in every elementary school.

Measure Y, along with funds from the City of Santa Monica, fund other priorities such as lower counselor and nurse ratios and improved technology support (currently 7 employees).

Measure S includes a senior tax exemption and Measure Y does not. An annual adjustment based on the CPI-U Price Index is built into Measure Y, but not in Measure S.

PROVISIONS OF MEASURE R:

Combines and renews - without increasing- both existing parcel taxes. The tax levied on each parcel of real property shall not exceed the minimum of $346 per year adjusted annually for inflation by the Consumer Price Index.

Offers exemptions to senior homeowners - age 65 and older who own and occupy their homes.

Requires taxpayer accountability:

Account-coding expenditures to help track how revenues are used

Annual audits by an independent accountant with review by independent citizens financial oversight committee

Annual Board of Education review and public hearing to review the use of the funds and continued need for the revenues generated by the tax

Annual reporting of revenue and expenditures to taxpayers

ESTIMATED REVENUES:

Measure R would provide a comparable amount to the two existing parcel taxes combined. The annual average per year (projected over ten years) is expected to be approximately $11.8 million.

QUESTION:

Should the two existing parcel taxes S and Y be combined into a single tax, adjusted annually for inflation, with guaranteed financial audits and citizen oversight?

YES VOTE MEANS: the two existing school district parcel taxes, S and Y, will be combined, adjusted annually for inflation, and audited and reviewed every year.

NO VOTE MEANS: Measures S and Y will continue until their sunset dates, 2009 and 2011.

SUPPORTERS SAY:

• Measure R is not a new tax - it simply renews existing local funding.

• Every penny is tracked, monitored by an independent citizen committee, and subject to annual public review.

• No other source of funding exists to fund the class size reduction and the art, music, library and other programs that are currently paid for by the parcel taxes.

• Measure R offers senior property tax exemptions - a benefit not available in Measure Y.

• This measure is just one more in a long string of “tax and spend” financial misadventures.

• Measure R does not include a sunset clause - the tax will continue indefinitely.

• Parcel taxes are regressive taxes; all property is taxed equally regardless of the size or value of the house.

• It's time to stop adding to the ever-increasing tax burden for homeowners in Santa Monica and Malibu.

Contact FOR Measure R:

Campaign to Protect Quality Public Schools
FPPC #1302386
310-395-4483

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

GreatSchools.net