League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA March 8, 2011 Election
	Measure A Protection of Quality Local Schools Measure of 2011 Alameda Unified School District 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 14,685 / 68.0% Yes votes ...... 6,907 / 32.0% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure A

Arguments Against Measure A

Alameda schools are a point of pride for our community. Test scores on state exams are strong and improving each year. Students graduate ready for college and career. But our schools continue to face unprecedented state funding cuts. AUSD administrative costs are already among the lowest in the county, and the district has been continuing to streamline operations. But even with these efficiencies, our schools are facing severe program cuts. Measure A is the result of Alameda community leaders, businesses, parents and seniors coming together to make sure that we keep our schools and Alameda on the right track. Measure A will: Support small K-3 class sizes and neighborhood elementary schools Attract and retain excellent teachers Protect athletic programs Protect core academic programs and Advanced Placement courses Support programs to close the achievement gap and provide equitable educational opportunities. Our current parcel taxes expire next year, eliminating funding for crucial academic and enrichment programs. However, if Measure A passes, it will replace our existing parcel taxes immediately + and a new 7-year measure will be in place to protect those important programs. A citizen oversight committee, three annual reports, and an annual audit ensure all funds are spent as promised. Every penny stays in Alameda. Seniors are eligible for an exemption, and seniors exempt from current school parcel taxes will automatically be exempt from this Measure. Alameda is a special place to live because of its strong sense of community and the importance we place on supporting our young people. We must act locally To support our schools and our community - vote YES ON A. "s/"Marie Robinson Gilmore, Mayor "s/"Ron Matthews, President, Alameda Little League "s/"Burnham E. Matthews, Alameda Police Chief (retired) "s/"Dennis G. Pagones, Business owner "s/"Nielsen B. Tam, Member, Alameda Unified School District, Board of Trustees Rebuttal to Arguments For 32 to 1 Ain't Fair! AUSD's claim to have consulted the community is neither reasonable nor honest. Who in the community did AUSD consult who suggested, "Lower taxes on big business by 16% and increase taxes for the average homeowner by 65%"? Some homeoners will see their tax triple or even quadruple. Who in the community said, "We should charge 1 penny per square foot at our largest shopping center while the rest pay 32 cents"? AUSD is trying to hide your individual tax increase from you. But you can go to http://www.Alameda-No-On-A.com and find out for yourself. No Real financial Oversight The proposed oversight committee is a rubber stamp body and a shameful farce. The ballot measure language allows AUSD to hand-pick members and provides no authority to hold AUSD accountable. "A" creates two classes of public school students: 1. those in traditional public schools 2. those in charter public schools "A" allocates charter school students 1/4 of the money allocated to traditional students. "A" allows AUSD to change that allocation whenever "financial conditions change," which happens every year, as we all know. Governor Brown has said that schools have to restructure to save money, which AUSD refuses to do. Restructuring brings down costs and improves student performance. Alameda already has working models which prove this. Nonetheless, AUSD wants an unfair tax to finance the past. All children must be treated equally. All taxpayers must be treated equally. 32 to 1 Ain't Fair! Vote NO on "A"! "s/"Barbara M. Thomas, former Vice-Mayor/Councilmember "s/"Karen M. Zimmerman, Marketing Consultant/businesswoman "s/"Steve Case, Small Business owner "s/"Elizabeth Williams, Healthcare Consultant "s/"Marshall T. Cromer, Parent/Business owner

32 to 1 Ain't Fair! Homeowners and small businesses will pay 32 cents per square foot while big business will pay anywhere from 8 cents to as little as 1 cent. "A" ain't fair! Big business, with hundreds of millions of dollars of annual sales, will get a 16% tax cut paid for by homeowners and small businesses who will see a massive tax increase! According to AUSD, the average homeowner's parcel tax will see a 65% increase. A homeowner with a 2,000 square foot home will see there tax more than double. Some homes will see their tax quadruple. AUSD is trying to hide the tax increase from you. They have refused to put up a web site so you can look up exactly how much you would pay. But we have! Go to http://www.Alameda-No-On-A.com The School Board lied last year and said that schools would close if Measure E failed. Measure E failed and no schools closed. Now they are crying "Wolf" again. Why should we believe them this time? "A" discriminates against some students! Roughly 12% of Alameda's public school students will be in charter schools next year, but charter schools get only 3% of the funds. All students should be funded equally. Our federal tax system is progressive: the more money you make the greater percent you pay. But Measure A is the opposite and was written by and for big business. This is a regressive tax, increasing taxes on homeowners and small business so that big business gets a big break. "A" is a re-tread of the mistakes of past parcel taxes. Unfair, regressive taxation, favoring some students over others, Measure A repeats the mistakes of Measure H, which is still in court. Measure A must be defeated! 32 to 1 Ain't Fair! "s/"Leland Traiman, Small Business Person/Parent "s/"Dennis H. Green, Past President, Alameda Chamber of Commerce "s/"Adam Gillitt, Small Business owner "s/"Stewart Blandon, MD, Parent Rebuttal to Arguments Against Our entire community benefits from the quality schools we have in Alameda. That's why community and business leaders, parents, seniors and educators came tighter to place Measure A on the ballot. Measure A REPLACES our current school funding measures, which are set to expire. Previous measures will no longer be in effect. Residences and businesses will be assessed at the same rate + a tested, conservative approach used in other communities. The last time Alamedans voted on a parcel tax, the opponents argued that having different rates for businesses and residences was unfair. This time, the rate is the same for both, with a cap to protetct jobs and economic development + yet the opponents still say it's unfair. Measure A protects our schools and community from the severe impacts of state cuts to education and the loss of funding from our expiring local school measures. The measure doesn't try to fund every possible need in our schools. But it funds core academic programs and retains the quality teachers who have succeeded in boosting test scores and preparing our students for college and careers. There is an exemption for seniors. Those currently exempt under previous measures will not need to re-apply. The exemption will automatically renew every year. Measure A includes strong provisions for transparency, accountability, and auditing of funds. By supporting Measure A, we will support our schools, our students, and the entire community fo Alameda. See the list of Alamedans endorsing Measure A at http://www.AlamedaSOS.org. "s/"Wilma Chan, Alameda County Supervisor "s/"Harry Hartman, President, Greater Alameda Business Association "s/"Marjorie Sherratt, Alameda Unified School District, Board of Trustees "s/"Walter Jacobs, Past President, Alameda Chamber of Commerce "s/"Michael J. Robles-Wong, Chair, Alameda Save Our Schools

Full Text of Measure A

Alameda Unified School District Protection of Quality Local Schools Measure of 2011 This Proposition may be known and referred to as the "Alameda Unified School District Protection of Quality Local Schools Measure of 2011" or as Measure" ". [designation to be assigned by county Registrar of Voters] To maintain high-quality Alameda schools by protecting small class sizes; core academic, art, music and athletic programs; neighborhood schools; and retaining excellent teachers, shall Alameda Unified School District replace two existing parcel taxes with one annual parcel tax for 7 years in the amounts described in the voter pamphlet, with an exemption for seniors, strict accountability measures including oversight by an independent citizens' committee and an annual audit, and every dollar staying in Alameda schools? Findings A superior and comprehensive K-12 education program delivers many long-lasting benefits and advantages to all the children and residents of a community. The Alameda Unified School District ("District") is committed to offering a high-quality educational program to all students in the District through neighborhood elementary schools and multiple educational and career pathways in secondary schools. Perpetual California State budget problems threaten the District's many successful educational programs with an increasingly uncertain fiscal future that does not provide adequate state funding. Local funding Measures A and H will sunset in the fiscal year 2012 resulting in the loss of millions of dollars to Alameda's public schools. The District has continued to streamline the District Office to maximize efficiencies and reduce administrative costs. Although parent/community donations are generous, without increased local revenues, the District will be forced to close several neighborhood elementary schools, increase class sizes, lay off teachers and eliminate valuable educational programs. Local voters and taxpayers have provided strong support of the District's schools with parcel tax measures since 2001. The Board of Education ("Board") desires to replace both existing parcel taxes with a new tax which more fairly distributes the tax burden between business and residential properties. By replacing both existing parcel taxes, local voters can ensure that our schools will receive stable and reliable funding. Purposes Moneys raised under this Protection of Quality Local Schools Measure of 2011 are authorized to be used only to provide financial support to local school programs in accordance with priorities and conditions set forth below. The District may fund approved programs at amounts other than the stated percentages in cases of Severe Fiscal Emergency or Changed Funding Conditions of Alameda's public schools. In no event shall revenues of the Measure be used for purposes other than those stated herein. * Small Class Sizes: 13-14 % of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to maintaining manageable elementary class sizes with student to teacher ratios no greater than 25 to 1 in K-3 classrooms. Revenues from this Measure will support small class sizes in a manner which may not be achieved solely with support from the District's General Fund. In the event the State of California fully funds class size reduction to support student to teacher ratios of 20 to 1 in K-3 classrooms such that supplemental parcel tax funds are no longer required to maintain small class sizes, the Board of Education may recommend that revenues which were allocated for small class size be reapportioned to the remaining programs supported by this Measure. * Neighborhood Elementary Schools: 7-8% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to maintaining high quality neighborhood elementary schools. For purposes of this Measure, high quality shall be determined by external measurements, parental choice, and student outcomes. Revenues from this Measure may be used to support programs designed to maximize enrollment in neighborhood schools, such as magnet programs, and programs which improve the academic proficiency of all students through effective instruction and implementation of a challenging and engaging curriculum as more specifically set forth in the District's Master Plan document. * Secondary School Choice Initiative and AP Courses: 7-8% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to maintaining Advanced Placement Courses and to supporting the secondary school choice initiative to create different educational pathways to careers and college. Revenues from this Measure may be used to create and support more personalized learning environments which are aligned with student interest and coupled with rigorous, relevant and interesting curricula to engage young learners as more specifically set forth in the Master Plan. Revenues from this Measure may also be used to sustain secondary courses with student to teacher ratios less than 35 to 1. * Programs to Close the Achievement Gap: 15-16% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to supporting programs which are specifically designed to close the achievement gap. Revenues from this Measure may be used to support professional development for teachers and staff to accomplish district-wide learning initiatives and to provide targeted intervention and support. Revenues from this Measure will also be used to restore the school year to 180 days of instruction for all students. * High School Athletic Programs: 4% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to maintaining high school athletic programs. Revenues from this Measure may be used to support stipends for athletic coaches, transportation costs for athletic events, equipment and other operational costs. * Enrichment Programs: 9-10% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to maintaining art, music and drama as integral subjects of the K-12 curriculum. Funds may be used to support enrichment programs such as Physical Education and Media Centers in elementary schools and to support highly qualified visual and performing arts professionals, supplies, equipment and facilities. * Attract and Retain Excellent Teachers: 25-26% of the Available Revenues of this Measure will be dedicated annually to attracting and retaining highly qualified and excellent teachers. * Counseling and Student Support Services: 6% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to providing a lower and more effective ratio of students to counselors and support providers. Revenues from this Measure may be used to provide students with a range of support services, including college and career counseling. * Alameda Charter Students: 3-4% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to supporting Alameda students in Alameda's public charter schools in existence at the approval of this Measure. This revenue shall be annually distributed to existing charter schools in proportion to each charter's enrollment of Alameda resident students. * Technology: 5% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to providing and maintaining technology at all sites consistent with the District's technology plan as approved by the Board of Education. * Adult Education: 4% of the Available Revenues of this Measure shall be dedicated annually to supporting the Alameda Adult School to provide lifelong educational opportunities and services for adult learners. For purposes of this Measure, the following definitions shall apply: "Available Revenues" shall mean the amount of money provided by this Measure after the deduction of one and one-half (1 1/2%) to two percent (2%) of the Measure's revenues to pay for the following: the cost of the parcel tax election, authorized collection charges by the county or city for collection of the tax, payment of necessary fees and expenses to administer the District's parcel tax, and costs to implement accountability provisions to ensure fiscal transparency through public information, translation services for the District families, and support of the Oversight Committee. "Severe Fiscal Emergency" may be declared by a majority of the Board of Education when the emergency is the result of financial events which are out of the control of the Board; and either (a) the District's Interim Financial Report is "Qualified" or "Negative" pursuant to AB 1200 and AB 2756 and the Alameda County Office of Education concurs with this determination; or (b) the Alameda County Office of Education has disapproved the District's annual budget. "Changed Funding Conditions" may be declared by a majority of the Board of Education when local, state or federal funding for programs supported by this Measure is reduced below the 2010-2011 levels of funding as of October 2010, including the receipt of the statutory cost of living adjustment, such that the changed conditions increase the cost of providing the programs supported by this Measure. Changed Funding Conditions may also be declared by a majority of the Board in the event local, state or federal funding for programs supported by this Measure is increased above the 2010-2011 levels of funding such that supplemental parcel tax funds are no longer required to maintain the program and the Board may reapportion revenues to the remaining programs supported by this Measure. Amount and Basis of Tax Upon approval of two-thirds of those voting on this Measure, the District shall be authorized to levy an annual qualified special tax (education parcel tax) on all Parcels of Taxable Real Property, commencing on July 1, 2011 for a period of 7 years as follows: Property Type: Real Property with One or More Buildings Annual Rate of Tax: lesser of $0.32 per building square foot or $7,999 per parcel Property Type: All Other Real Property Annual Rate of Tax: $299 per parcel For purposes of the tax levy, the following definitions shall apply: "Parcel of Taxable Real Property," is defined as any unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for property taxes from the County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. All public property that is otherwise exempt from or upon which no ad valorem property taxes are levied in any year shall also be exempt from the special tax in such year. "Building" is defined as any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and designed for the shelter or housing of any person or property of any kind. The word "building" includes the word "structure" and encompasses, without limitation, all residential, commercial and industrial structures. The District annually shall provide the Alameda County Tax Collector a report indicating the parcel number and amount of tax for each Parcel of Taxable Real Property. This parcel tax shall replace Measures A and H, the two education parcel tax measures currently in effect. In the event that this Measure is not approved by the requisite two-thirds vote, the existing parcel taxes shall continue in effect until their scheduled expiration. Under no circumstances shall the education parcel tax approved in this Measure and any of the existing two parcel taxes be collected in the same year. Claim / Exemption Procedures Upon application, an exemption may be granted on any Parcel of Taxable Real Property which is (a) owned by one or more persons aged 65 years or older, and (b) which is the owner's principal place of residence ("Senior Citizen Exemption"). Upon application, an exemption may be granted on any Parcel of Taxable Real Property which is (a) owned by one or more persons receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age, and (b) which is the owner's principal place of residence ("SSI Exemption"). With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the Alameda 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 and SSI Exemptions, owners must submit applications to the District in the manner and at the time set forth in procedures established by the District. Application forms shall be available from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Any one application from a qualified applicant for an exemption will provide an exemption for the parcel for that assessment year only. Owners shall not be required to submit an additional application for exemption provided the property was exempt in the immediately previous assessment year. On an annual basis, the District will review existing exemptions and, if necessary, confirm with the property owner that the parcel still qualifies for the exemption. In determining the building square footage of Taxable Real Property, the District shall refer to the data reported by the County Assessor's Office, except in cases of demonstrable error, in which case either the property owner may file a claim with the District for re-computation of the tax or the District will re-compute the tax and provide notice to the owner of the recomputation and the right to appeal in accordance with the procedures established by the District. The decisions of the District regarding exemptions, refunds, reductions, or recomputations shall be final and binding. The procedures described herein, and any additional procedures established by the Board shall be the exclusive claims procedure for claimants seeking an exemption, refund, reduction, or re-computation of the 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. Appropriations Limit 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 Public Information and Fiscal Transparency: The District shall ensure that information regarding the use of funds from this Measure is provided to the public in a timely and transparent manner through frequent communication with the Alameda community, presentation of information to the Oversight Committee and use of the District website. All financial reports and information regarding the use of these funds shall be translated for District families. Separate Account: Proceeds of this Measure shall be deposited into an account which is separate and apart from other accounts in the District and applied only to the purposes set forth herein. Oversight Committee: A District Oversight Committee, composed of parents/guardians, staff members, students, and community members representing all school sites, will be established to be advisory to the District. The Committee shall annually review District compliance with the terms of this Measure. The size, structure and scope of duties of the Oversight Committee shall be set by the Board. Financial Oversight: District will provide the Board of Education and the general public, updated revenue and expenditure reports of the proceeds of this Measure in at least three reports each fiscal year: a report recommending expenditures for the next fiscal year which shall occur before adoption of the District's annual budget; at least one report concurrently with one or more of the State-required interim reports; and an annual report on the Measure ("Annual Report"). The Annual Report will display the revenues generated by the Measure, the expenditures of the revenues and a report on the status of projects funded by the revenues. This report shall be organized to display clearly how the expenditures relate to the purposes of the Measure. Independent Auditor's Report and Audit Committee: District shall provide an annual audit by an independent auditor to determine that funds generated by the Measure have been allocated and expended in compliance with the provisions of the Measure. Severability The Board hereby declares, and the voters by approving this Measure concur, that every section and part of this Measure has independent value, and the Board 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 of the Measure or taxing formula be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid for any reason, all remaining parts of the Measure or taxing formula hereof shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent allowed by law. Exhibit C Formal Notice of Parcel Tax Election Notice is Hereby Given to the qualified electors of the Alameda Unified School District of Alameda County, California, that in accordance with the provisions of the Education Code and the Government Code of the State of California, an election will be held on March 8, 2011, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the District the proposition summarized as follows: "To maintain high-quality Alameda schools by protecting small class sizes; core academic, art, music and athletic programs; neighborhood schools; and retaining excellent teachers, shall Alameda Unified School District replace two existing parcel taxes with one annual parcel tax for 7 years in the amounts described in the voter pamphlet, with an exemption for seniors, strict accountability measures including oversight by an independent citizens' committee and an annual audit, and every dollar staying in Alameda schools?" By execution of this formal Notice of Election the County Superintendent of Schools of Alameda County orders a special election to be held on March 8, 2011, and orders consolidation of the election with such other elections as may be held on the same day in the same territory or in territory that is in part the same. The County Superintendent of Schools of Alameda County, by this Notice of Election, has called the election pursuant to a Resolution and Order of the Board of Education of the Alameda Unified School District adopted November 30th, 2010, in accordance with the provisions of Education Code Sections 5302, 5325 and 5361. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this day, December 1 , 2010. Sheila Jordan County Superintendent of Schools Alameda County, California