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Contra Costa County, CA May 5, 2009 Election
Measure C
Parcel Tax
San Ramon Valley Unified School District

2/3 Approval Required

Pass: 30624 / 72.2% Yes votes ...... 11770 / 27.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text

To help maintain academic excellence, retain qualified and experienced teachers, prepare students for college and careers for a global economy with strong math, science and literacy education, shall San Ramon Valley Unified School District renew its expiring education tax at one hundred forty-four dollars per parcel for seven years, with citizen oversight, annual audits, no funds for administrative salaries, an available exemption for persons 65 and older, and all funds spent to support local schools?

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
The Board of Education of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District has adopted a resolution proposing a parcel tax (a qualified special tax).

The ballot measure asks voters to decide whether a parcel tax should be imposed on parcels of taxable real property within the District for seven years, beginning July 1, 2009. It would replace the District's existing parcel tax of $90 per year, which expires on June 30, 2009.

The parcel tax would be $144 per year on each parcel of taxable real property in the District. A parcel of taxable real property is any unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for property taxes from the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. A parcel otherwise exempt from property taxes will also be exempt from the imposition of the parcel tax.

The ballot measure includes a senior citizen exemption. Any parcel owned and occupied by a person 65 years of age or older would be exempt from the parcel tax upon proper application to the District. Senior citizens with a current valid exemption from the District's existing parcel tax would be exempt from the proposed parcel tax and would not be required to reapply.

The ballot measure states that the proceeds of the parcel tax will be used to "help maintain academic excellence, retain qualified and experienced teachers, [and] prepare students for college and careers for a global economy with strong math, science and literacy education." Proceeds from the parcel tax may be used only for the specific purposes set forth in the ballot measure and according to constitutional and statutory provisions.

Proceeds from the parcel tax will be deposited into a District account that will be kept separate from other District accounts. As long as any proceeds of the parcel tax remain unexpended, an annual independent audit report will be prepared stating the amount of the parcel tax received and expended in the year and the status of any projects or description of any programs funded from the tax proceeds. Additionally, an independent community oversight committee appointed by the District Board will monitor expenditures.

Two-thirds of those voting on the ballot measure must approve the measure for it to pass.

A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the parcel tax.

A "no" vote is a vote against authorizing the parcel tax.

  Official Information

Web Site for San Ramon Valley Unified School District
News and Analysis

Contra Costa Times

Partisan Information

Proponents Web site

Opponents Web Site
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Arguments For Measure C Arguments Against Measure C
Our local schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District are among the highest-achieving in the state, providing an excellent education to students in San Ramon, Danville and immediate surrounding communities. With California Distinguished School Awards, qualified teachers and a well-rounded academic curriculum, local students achieve top scores on statewide exams and over 94% go on to college or university.

Local elementary, middle and high school students receive a comprehensive education in science, math, reading, and writing to prepare them to succeed in college and future careers in the global economy.

Existing education funding, approved by local voters in 2004, has helped to achieve excellence in academics and retain qualified teachers.

This vital education funding will expire this year unless we vote YES on Measure C.

Unprecedented state budget cuts threaten academics and teachers. Our schools need Measure C more than ever to help continue our local tradition of academic excellence.

Measure C provides essential funds to support continued student success. The state cannot take a single penny of Measure C funds.

Vote YES on Measure C to help:

  • Retain qualified and experienced teachers

  • Prepare students for college and careers

  • Prepare students to compete in a global economy

  • Maintain strong math, science and literacy programs

Measure C Provides Strong Fiscal Accountability

  • All funds go directly to our local schools and cannot be taken by the state

  • Independent citizen oversight and annual reports will ensure funds are spent wisely and appropriately

  • No funds can be spent on administrator salaries

  • Measure C can only be renewed with voter approval

  • An exemption is available for persons 65 and older

Our excellent schools are part of what makes our community a desirable place to live. Please join us. Vote YES on Measure C to ensure student success and preserve high-quality schools in our community.

Carolyn Degnan
President/CEO, San Ramon
Chamber of Commerce

Denise Jennison
President, San Ramon Valley
Council of PTAs

Darren Day
President, San Ramon Valley Teachers

Edith Marzluft Senior Citizen, 35-year Danville resident

Chih-Chi Chu
Dougherty Valley Resident

Rebuttal to Arguments For
"ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE"? IN FACT, SRVUSD HAS MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITY PROBLEMS:

  • Exposed in Not as Good as You Think (Pacific Research Institute), District high schools perform poorly in State testing of college readiness -- averaging only 43% proficiency in English, for example (http://eap2008.ets.org/Viewreport.asp).

  • AMONG SIMILAR SCHOOLS, SRVUSD's Academic Performance Index ratings average just 6.9 out of 10. Taxpayers deserve better performance (and fewer minimum days), without more parent fees or higher parcel taxes.

MEASURE C? IT'S ONE TAXPAYER-FINANCED BAILOUT SHELL GAME YOU CAN STOP!

  • "[S]tores are closing, businesses are laying off, investments are crashing."--Judge Patrick Marlette, approving state-employee furloughs

  • Meanwhile, Measure C seeks a seven-year, 60% parcel-tax increase, from $90 to $144 annually, allegedly for already-funded core responsibilities, including "math, science and literacy." In reality, Measure C would enable more teacher - union raises, without regard to merit.

7 YEARS? TOO LONG. $144? TOO MUCH (DESPITE MISLEADING COMPARISONS WITH OTHER SPENDTHRIFT DISTRICTS).

  • SRVUSD's teacher unionists already receive up to $86,226 (plus extraordinary benefits, including tenured job security and lucrative defined-benefit pensions) for 186 employment days annually, versus 250 days for most workers.

  • SRVUSD's 2008-2009 General Fund alone spends approximately $8,400 per student ($168,000 per 20-student classroom!). That's $2,300 more per student (inflation adjusted) than in 1991, when District tax promoters first sought parcel-tax riches. They'd have to cut $60 Million now to regain inflation parity.

  • "Independent oversight" committees cannot revoke reckless new tax schemes once they've passed.

MEASURE C? VOTE "NO !"

http://www.NOonC.info

Michael Arata
Industrial Consultant; Former
Teacher and Coach, Danville

Louis Barberini
Grandparent of 5 SRVUSD Students;
Retired Police Sergeant, Danville

Robert E. Rose
Realtor; Senior Citizen, San Ramon

Irene Lynch
Parent of 2 SRVUSD Graduates;
Retired French Teacher, San Ramon

Harold D. Stoner
Parent of 2 SRVUSD Graduates;
Realtor and Real Estate Investor;
Senior Citizen, Danville

ALREADY PAYING EXCESSIVE TAXES (INCOME, FICA, SALES, PROPERTY...)?
Then reject inflationary new tax increases, and require responsible budgeting by public agencies, including this school district.

  • Like federal and state governments, SRVUSD irresponsibly accelerated spending at much faster rates than inflation and [student] population growth combined. The result? Unsustainable spending trajectories, spiraling out of control -- with regular claims of insufficient funds and demands for more new taxes.

  • Amid widespread foreclosures, private-sector layoffs, and broken retirement nest-eggs, SRVUSD wants a 60% parcel-tax increase!

  • After spending $152,737 on last June's parcel-tax election, the District has now spent another $39,838 on consultants and polling orchestration -- and anticipates nearly $300,000 more in balloting costs for this special election.

SRVUSD ALWAYS PLEADS POVERTY -- UNTIL THE NEXT RETROACTIVE PAY-RAISE.
Promoting the current parcel tax in 2004, the District's spokesman proclaimed "an understanding there will not be a pay raise next year" (SRV Times, 03/28/04).

In fact, the 2004-05 retroactive raise which followed, atop existing step-and-column increases, was just the first of four raises implemented since 2004's parcel-tax approval. Another raise only awaits Measure C's passage.

Measure C doesn't guarantee property values or improved academic performance, just $1,008 more in cumulative new taxes per parcel. And new local taxes enable more wasteful diversions in Sacramento. Additionally:

  • Measure C's senior exemption requires exposure of private documents. Meanwhile, fair-minded seniors recognize the inequity in backing taxes they needn't pay themselves.

  • Many consider parcel taxes regressive, extracting equal amounts from every non-exempt property owner, commercial or residential, regardless of parcel size or owner's income.

Our grassroots opposition doesn't have professional campaign agents, taxpayer-financed push polls and spin doctors, slanted media coverage -- nor illegal school-based campaigning. We must rely instead on voters' common sense....

Vote NO on Measure C!

Becky Kolberg
Interior Designer; Former
Real-Estate Banking Officer;
Community Service Volunteer, San Ramon

Stuart L. Hill
Parent of SRVUSD Graduate;
Retired Fire Captain; Youth Softball
Coach, Danville

Suzanne C. Thompson
Homemaker and Retired Medical
Technician; Senior Citizen, Alamo

Thomas Matthews
Parent of 2 SRVUSD Graduates;
Retired Chemical Engineer;
Real Estate Broker, Alamo

ALLIANCE of CONTRA COSTA TAXPAYERS
Kenneth Hambrick, Chairman
(Management Consultant,
Former Grand Jury Member)

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
The argument against Measure C is inaccurate and misleading.

The truth: Measure C is the only way to protect $7 million that supports top-notch education in local elementary, middle and high schools.

Measure C renews existing funds that are limited to retaining qualified teachers and protecting academic programs. If Measure C fails, these local funds -- approved by voters in 2004 -- will disappear, forcing difficult school budget cuts.

San Ramon Valley Unified School District is fiscally responsible. Measure C includes citizen oversight and annual public audits. Every penny of Measure C will be reviewed to ensure funds are spent wisely for education, not administrators' salaries.

In fact, Measure C does not inflate and cannot be renewed or increased without voter approval. Remember: not a penny of Measure C funds can be taken by the state. All funds will continue to support excellent education in San Ramon Valley communities.

Measure C renews an existing, optional exemption for those who need it most -- people 65 and older who live on fixed incomes. Those who currently take the exemption receive it through simple verification of public documents, such as a driver's license.

While taking the exemption is a personal choice, those of us who no longer have children in school are voting YES on Measure C.

We can't rely on the state to provide the excellent academics we expect from San Ramon Valley Unified School District. For $12 per month, Measure C will help local students and teachers continue academic success.

Preserve excellent education in our schools -- please vote YES on Measure C.

http://www.SRVProtectOurSchools.com

Jean Ohman
Senior Citizen and 30 year
resident of San Ramon

Barbara Smith
Senior Citizen and Senior
Advocate

Don Ritchey
Retired Retail Executive and
former Danville Mayor

Mary Dietler
2008 SRVUSD Teacher of the
Year, Alamo resident, and parent
of SRVUSD graduates

Elaine Cortez Schroth
Danville business owner and
SRVUSD parent

Full Text of Measure C
This measure may be known and referred to as the "San Ramon Valley Unified School District Excellence in Education Act of 2009" or as "Measure C".

TERMS AND PURPOSES

Upon approval of two-thirds of those voting on this measure, the District shall be authorized to and shall levy a qualified special tax (parcel tax) of $144 per year on each parcel of taxable real property in the District, for a period limited to seven years, commencing July 1, 2009, upon the expiration of the existing education parcel tax approved by the voters of the District in 2004.

Moneys raised under this Excellence in Education Act shall be authorized to be used only to provide financial support to local school programs, as follows:

  • to address the impact of cuts in the State's education budget on teachers, classroom programs and student services
  • to maintain academic excellence
  • retain qualified and experienced teachers
  • prepare students for college and careers for a global economy
  • maintain math, science, literacy and other academic programs

and to provide other financial support to the extent of available funds to maintain and support the District's academic programs, including the purchase of instructional equipment, materials and supplies.

EXEMPTIONS + SENIOR CITIZENS; RECIPIENTS OF SUPPLEMENTARY SECURITY INCOME.

In order to provide tax relief to senior citizens in the community, any parcel owned and occupied by a person 65 years of age or older shall be exempt from the education parcel tax upon proper application to the District. Persons receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age, shall also be exempt upon proper application to the District.

Either exemption shall be available pursuant to procedures to be prescribed by the Board of Education or otherwise as required by law or by the Contra Costa County Tax Collector. Senior citizens with a current valid exemption under the Excellence in Education Act of 2004 shall continue to be exempt and not be required to reapply, subject to those procedures.

ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Education shall establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to ensure that moneys raised under the Excellence in Education Act are spent only for the purposes named in this Proposition. The Board of Education shall provide by resolution for the composition, duties, funding and other necessary information regarding the Committee's formation and operation.

Independent Annual Audit. Upon the levy and collection of the education parcel tax, the Board of Education shall cause an account to be established for deposit of the proceeds, pursuant to Government Code Section 50075.1. For so long as any proceeds remain unexpended, the Superintendent of the District shall cause an independent financial auditor to prepare a report to be filed with the Board of Education no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2009, stating (1) the amount collected and expended in such year, and (2) the status of any projects or description of any programs funded. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period, as the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into or filed with the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board of Education.

Specific Purposes. All of the purposes named in the measure shall constitute the specific purposes of the education parcel tax, and proceeds thereof shall be applied only for such purposes.

LEVY AND COLLECTION

The education parcel tax shall be collected by the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector at the same time and in the same manner and shall be subject to the same penalties as ad valorem property taxes collected by the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Unpaid taxes shall bear interest at the same rate as the rate for unpaid ad valorem property taxes until paid.

"Parcel of taxable real property" shall be defined as any unit of real property in the District which receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem property taxes from the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. All property which is otherwise exempt from or on which are levied no ad valorem property taxes in any year shall also be exempt from the education parcel tax in such year. In addition, parcels may be exempt from the education parcel tax as described above under "EXEMPTIONS".

The District shall annually provide a list of parcels to the Contra Costa County tax collection officials which the District has approved for an exemption as described above, under "Exemptions + Senior Citizens; Recipients of Supplementary Security Income". The Contra Costa County Assessor's determination of exemption or relief for any reason of any parcel from taxation, other than through either of said exemptions, shall be final and binding for the purposes of the education parcel tax. Taxpayers wishing to challenge the County Assessor's determination must do so under the procedures for correcting a misclassification of property pursuant to Section 4876.5 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code or other applicable procedures. Taxpayers seeking a refund of any tax paid shall follow the procedures applicable to property tax refunds pursuant to the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

SEVERABILITY

The Board of Education 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 Education 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.


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Created: July 31, 2009 13:01 PDT
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