League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA June 2, 2009 Election
	Measure G Parcel Tax Initiative Pleasanton Unified School District 2/3 Approval Required Official Election Results Fail: 10995 / 62.7% Yes votes ...... 6546 / 37.3% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure G

Arguments Against Measure G

Our children need a strong education to lead productive lives and contribute to our economic prosperity. A high quality education system directly benefits the entire community by maintaining higher property values and contributing to Pleasanton's quality of life. Severe cuts in state funding for public education threaten the quality education that our students receive, and many key educational programs are in jeopardy. Measure G will: Keep class sizes small in the critical early years and in ninth grade English and math classes; Provide effective reading and math support programs; Ensure our libraries continue to support student achievement; Keep counselors in our schools to support students; Maintain the effective technology instruction our students need to compete in a global economy; Retain our highly valued elementary music programs; Keep our schools clean and safe. At $233 per parcel per year for 4 years, Measure G is an affordable means of investing in a quality education for our students and will support the exemplary public schools that contribute to our high and stable property values. Measure G funds are strictly for the benefit of Pleasanton students. No proceeds from Measure G will be used for administrator salaries. The measure ensures accountability through an independent citizens' oversight committee which will monitor the expenditures of Measure G funds and provide quarterly reports. An annual independent audit will also be conducted. Senior citizens, 65 or older, and SSI disability recipients are eligible for an optional exemption from the parcel tax. Please join us in voting YES on Measure G to protect our schools and our community. Kenneth Mercer Former Pleasanton Mayor Victor Malatesta Business Owner Kris Weaver Former School Board Trustee John Clatworthy Senior Citizen Donna Garrison Realtor Rebuttal to Arguments For What PUSD isn't telling us: That it is possible to balance the budget without imposing a parcel tax, or eliminating important programs like class-size reduction, math and reading support, and elementary band and strings. That Measure G will not protect property values. Despite California's budget cuts, PUSD's funding advantage over neighboring districts will remain. Pleasanton homes will retain their appeal to buyers comparing schools. That PUSD has overstated the shortfall. An exaggerated number of teacher pink-slips were distributed prematurely, creating unnecessary panic in the community. That $2.1M in federal funds will reduce the shortfall, but has not yet been included in budget estimates. That seniors and disabled citizens will have to pay the tax unless they remember to file for an exemption each year. How much taxation is enough? California income and sales taxes are the highest in the nation. Auto taxes are going up. Our property taxes are among the highest in the US, and PUSD already has one tax on your property. An additional tax levied in these turbulent economic times is fiscally irresponsible. Measure G is a regressive tax that puts greater stress on our neighbors who have already experienced pay cuts and layoffs, and those on fixed incomes. The fact is, PUSD only needs to tighten its belt approximately 5%; this can be accomplished with responsible management. It is simply unnecessary to burden citizens with another tax at this time. http://www.PleasantonParcelTaxInfo.com s/Kay Ayala Former City Council Member, School/City Liaison Committee - 8 yrs s/Mary Lee Roberts Retired Teacher, 37-year Resident, Mother of 4 Amador Graduates s/James R. Dillon Tax Accountant s/Ann Martin Active PTSA Member, Parent of Amador Senior

Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) is appealing to voters' emotions by handing out teacher pink slips instead of cutting administration costs and freezing salaries. The continuing excellence of Pleasanton's schools depends on honest reforms and a balanced budget, something that cannot be accomplished with another parcel tax. PUSD does not NEED a parcel tax to fund programs they are threatening to cut. One PUSD Trustee has shown how these programs can be funded with NO tax increase, by cutting other, less essential areas. Pleasanton already receives more state and local tax funding than similar districts. For 2006/2007, PUSD collected $717 per student more from these sources than San Ramon Valley Unified School District, yet their standardized test scores are equivalent. PUSD already has one tax on your property (averaging $866/parcel). The oversight committee for this tax has a poor record, having not met since 2004. Though we received state funds beyond the amount needed for the specified projects, the district continued spending tax money on unspecified projects, without public oversight. The ballot measure does not freeze administration salaries. Using the tax money for specified programs frees other, more flexible sources, for administration raises. Unlike most executives, the PUSD management team enjoyed recent raises, which they refuse to roll back. Although the state has frozen funding, and the overall economy dictates cutbacks, PUSD's budget includes raises and perks during the term of the tax including $6M in unfunded salary increases, $600K in cell phones, and $480K in car allowances. Another tax cannot solve PUSD's budget problem. As long as PUSD continues to plan for compensation increases not covered by our already exorbitant state taxes, the shortfall will grow each year, requiring yet more local taxes. With better self-management the district can balance its budget without cutting our great teachers or our essential programs. s/Steve Brozosky Former PUSD Board Member s/Dorene Paradiso 37 year Pleasanton Resident/Parent/Grandparent, 2 grandchildren in Pleasanton schools s/Doug Miller Pleasanton Resident s/Cindy Aselage Concerned Parent, Small Business Owner Rebuttal to Arguments Against Measure G is essential to maintain the quality education that we expect and our children deserve. PUSD has undertaken a thorough and open analysis of its finances, and due to the serious shortfall in State funding, severe cuts are necessary to balance the budget. The school board trustees unanimously approved the parcel tax as a means to save critical programs for children and keep our school district in the top ten in the state. The loss in revenue from the state requires $9.7 million in cuts to PUSD's budget, including cuts of nearly one-third of management, a reduction of $2.1 million. No staff received cost of living raises this year, and operational expenses including conferences, car allowances, and supplies have been cut. Cell phone expenses will be reduced to the minimum to ensure student safety and emergency response. Our outstanding school facility improvements have been paid for by the existing general obligation bond, Measure B, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1997. Matching funds from the state allowed the district to continue improvements; all of which were subject to public oversight and board approval. The opposition is simply wrong. PUSD receives $182 more per student than San Ramon, and Dublin receives $437 more than Pleasanton, and both communities have existing parcel taxes. Support Measure G on June 2nd to save critical education programs and services our students need to produce the results that keep our schools and our property values strong. Get the facts at http://www.savepleasantonschools.org Jan Batcheller Downtown Business Owner; 35 year resident Brad Hirst Business Owner Denise Watkins President, Pleasanton Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation Judy Wheeler Business Owner Rudy Johnson Retired Clergy

Full Text of Measure G

"To preserve educational quality and protect Pleasanton schools from severe state budget cuts, keep class sizes small, maintain essential reading and math support programs, libraries, counselors, technology instruction, music, and safe, clean schools with no proceeds used for administrators' salaries, shall the Pleasanton Unified School District be authorized to levy an annual $233 parcel tax for four years, with guaranteed audits, senior and disabled exemptions, an independent citizens' oversight committee and all funds benefiting our Pleasanton students?"