Pass: 4,753 / 78.43% Yes votes ...... 1,307 / 21.57% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The measure would authorize the District to levy a parcel tax of $98 per year assessed against each parcel of real property within the boundaries of the District for eight (8) full years beginning July 1, 2008. Passage of this measure would continue the existing parcel tax that has been in place since 2004 and which is due to expire on June 30, 2008.

Parcels that will be subject to the tax include any parcel of land that lies wholly or partially within the boundaries of the District for which an assessor's parcel number has been assigned. Contiguous parcels that are used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes and that are held under identical ownership may be treated as single parcels for purposes of this levy by annually submitting applications to the District's board in accordance with the board's rules and regulations. In addition, annual exemptions from the levy may be obtained for parcels used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes by owners who are at least 65 years of age or who, regardless of age, are receiving Supplemental Security Income.

In the event that the levy and collection of the parcel tax results in a decrease or offset of any increase in local, state or federal revenues, the District shall cease the levy or reduce the special tax to the extent that such action would restore the amount of the decrease or offset.

The measure requires that a separate account be created into which proceeds of the parcel tax must be deposited. In addition, a written report must be made annually to the District's board showing the amount of funds collected and expended from the parcel tax proceeds and the status of projects or programs required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds. The measure also requires that an independent community oversight committee be reappointed by the District's board to advise the board on the expenditures funded by the parcel tax to ensure the funds are spent for the approved purposes and to report to the board and the community on an annual basis as to how the funds have been spent.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "E." The full text of the measure is printed in the sample ballot pamphlet.

Section 9500 of the California Elections Code requires the County Counsel to prepare an Impartial Analysis for each school measure appearing on the ballot.

Contact FOR Measure E:

Citizens for Las Virgenes Schools
Yes on Measure E
FPPC#1283136
Phone: 818.597.1064
Fax: 818.597.1064
Email: LVYesonE@aol.com

Contact AGAINST Measure E:

None filed to date (9/16/07).
Submissions from properly licensed groups are welcome.

Las Virgines Unified School District

Project List (20-page pdf file)

Developed in conjunction with the existing parcel tax which Measure E seeks to retain.

The Acorn

• Las Virgenes wants to extend school tax - May 24, 2007

Local schools serve families in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Bell Canyon and Hidden Hills. Great schools provide strong local property values and a sense of community.

To maintain academic excellence in neighborhood schools, including top math and science programs, smaller class sizes, and exceptional teachers — WITHOUT RAISING TAXES — please join us and vote Yes to renew Measure E. Measure E simply continues existing funding previously approved by local voters.

A Yes vote helps preserve our great schools and prevents funding cuts — without raising taxes.

Measure E means updated textbooks and instructional materials so every student receives a 21st century education.

Measure E expands and improves math and science classes.

Measure E retains and attracts excellent teachers by helping achieve competitive salaries.

Measure E helps maintain lower class sizes so students succeed.

Measure E provides college and career counselors for local high school students.

Measure E sustains high student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics at all grade levels.

Measure E supports elementary school instructional specialists so local students have a strong educational foundation.

Measure E helps maintain arts and music education.

Measure E supports instruction in computer technology for teachers and students.

Measure E allows local schools to continue receiving nearly $2 million / year to maintain high quality educational programs.

Measure E includes citizen oversight, ensuring that all funds are spent wisely to maintain excellent education in neighborhood schools and allows exemption for senior citizens.

All Measure E funds stay right here in local schools — the state can't take a single dime.

Help local students continue to excel, without raising taxes — VOTE YES on Measure E.

s/Bob Hill
Retired City Council Member/ Mayor, Founding Member, City of Calabasas

s/Ed Corridori
Retired Mayor/Local Business Owner, City of Agoura Hills

s/Judith S. Dobrowski
Former Las Virgenes Unified School District Teacher of the Year

s/Alan Saxe
Las Virgenes Unified School District Parent, Chairman of Measure E Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee

s/Jess Thomas
Old Agoura Homeowners' Association President and Las Virgenes Homeowners' Federation Citizen of the Year

(No arguments against Measure E were submitted)

• Sustain high academic achievement and ensure student success as academic needs evolve by maintaining essential academic programs, including science, math, reading, and the arts, while maintaining the ability to attract and retain quality teachers;
• Provide needed textbooks and instructional materials;
• Provide student counseling/support services;
• Provide program support for extra curricular/co-curricular activities;
• Protect the taxpayers' investment in education and ensure District accountability by providing for taxpayer oversight and independent financial audits of revenues and expenditures.

DEFINITION OF "PARCEL"
For purposes of the special tax, the term "Parcel" means any parcel of land which lies wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Las Virgenes Unified School District, for which the Assessor of either the County of Los Angeles or Ventura County, as applicable, has assigned an Assessor's parcel number.

EXEMPTION FOR CONTIGUOUS PARCELS
For purposes of this special tax, any such "Parcels" which are (i) contiguous, (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 15 of each year to the Board of Education of the Las Virgenes Unified School District in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Board, be treated as a single "parcel" for purposes of the levy of this special tax.

EXEMPTION OF SENIORS AND SSI RECIPIENTS
Pursuant to the California Government Code Section 50079 (b), any owners who are either receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age, or who are 65 years of age or older of a Parcel used solely for owneroccupied, single-family residential purposes may obtain an exemption from the education parcel tax by annually submitting an application by June 15 of each year to the Board of Education of the Las Virgenes Unified School District in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Board.

REDUCTION IN TAX IF RESULT IS LESS OTHER GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
The collection of the education parcel tax is not intended to decrease or offset any increase in local, state or federal government sources that would otherwise be available to the Las Virgenes Unified District during the period of the education parcel tax. In the event that the levy and collection does have such an effect, the Las Virgenes Unified School District shall cease the levy or shall reduce the special tax to the extent that such action would restore the amount of the decrease or offset.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES
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 education parcel tax levied in accordance with this Measure: (a) the specific purposes of the education parcel tax shall be those purposes identified above; (b) the proceeds of the education parcel tax shall be applied only to those specific purposes identified above; (c) a separate, special account shall be created into which the proceeds of the education parcel tax must be deposited; and (d) an annual written report shall be made to the Board of Education of the District showing (i) the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the education parcel tax and (ii) the status of any projects or programs required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the education parcel tax, as identified above.

In addition to the accountability measures required by law, an independent community oversight committee shall be reappointed by the Board of Education 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 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.