Measure A on April Ballot

What is Measure A?

Why does the district need that amount?

Measure A Produces Positive Results.

The District's Budget and Measure A

Measure A on April Ballot ................................................Back to top

At the recommendation of the independent Citizens' Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF), the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees placed Measure A on the April 9 ballot, asking voters to approve an increase in the district's existing parcel tax. The increase is needed to avoid severe cuts to the budget that could seriously affect the quality of educational program offered to our children.

What is Measure A? ..........................................................Back to top

Measure A, originally approved in 1989, provides funds for our schools through a special parcel tax collected annually. Voters must approve authorization to spend parcel tax funds every four years as required by the Gann Appropriations Limit. Citizens 65 years and older can apply annually for an exemption from the tax. The tax is fully deductible from both federal and state income taxes.

Funds from the parcel tax are necessary to keep class sizes small, maintain small neighborhood schools, hire and retain high quality teachers, keep libraries open, provide student educational materials, and preserve the district's educational program at its current level.
After conducting an annual review of district finances, the CACF found that ­ even though it operates on a very lean budget ­ the district is facing a severe financial crisis. The CACF recommended the Board of Trustees increase the parcel tax by $333 from the existing $264 per parcel per year to an amount not to exceed $597 per parcel per year to avoid drastic cuts to the district's budget.

Why does the district need that amount? ...................Back to top

Even though the district operates on a bare bones budget, it does not receive enough state and other revenue to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. This year the district was able to balance its budget by cutting $2.0 million in expenses, tapping $1.3 million in reserves, and using one-time sources of revenue such as extra fundraising efforts from PTAs and LAEF. But these one-time Band-Aid funds won't continue and the district must increase its parcel tax by enough to absorb several years' worth of cost increases.
Why is Measure A so important? Since Measure A requires a 2/3 majority to pass, every vote counts. Without Measure A, the district's educational program is at risk.

Measure A Produces Positive Results. ........................Back to top

As parents, we can see the positive results of a good educational program first hand. Our district continues to rank at the top of the list statewide for academic excellence year after year. This year, for the fourth year in a row, district students received the highest test scores in California. This high student achievement is directly related to the solid academic program provided by the parcel tax, including small class sizes and small neighborhood schools.

Studies show the direct benefits of small class sizes and small neighborhood schools. The district's commitment to small neighborhood schools--such an integral part of the fabric of our community---contributes to a positive and nurturing learning experience for our children. Small class sizes are a key factor in the overall educational success of our children-even though the state does not provide enough funds to fully implement the program. Both programs are in jeopardy if Measure A's parcel tax does not pass on April 9.

Measure A, originally approved in 1989, provides locally controlled funds to support a strong academic program resulting in academic excellence for district students. However, without an increase in the parcel tax, the district's exceptional educational program is at risk. This year, the district is faced with making substantial budget cuts that will directly affect the classroom. Without funds from Measure A, class size would increase to above 30; libraries would close; students would share textbooks; classroom cleaning would be reduced; junior high electives would be cut; good teachers would leave and small neighborhood schools could be consolidated.

Our children's education is not the only thing at stake. Over time, our property values could also decline if student performance is affected by such drastic cuts.

Some of these budget cuts would need to be made right away. Since state law requires the district to have a balanced budget, the district must notify teachers by March 15 if there is a possibility they will not be rehired. Many first and second year teachers will get the notice on March 15. If the parcel tax passes, they will be rehired on April 10, otherwise, their reemployment will depend on student enrollment increases and the number of teacher retirements. Many of our best first and second teachers may choose to go to another district where they can be assured of job security.

Measure A is vitally important to the continued success of our children's education. Please take the time to become informed about Measure A. For more

The District's Budget and Measure ...............................Back to top

The most important thing for parents as well as community members to understand about the district's budget is that funds from the parcel tax support the district's educational program, while bond funds can only be used for construction, renovation, and the upgrade of facilities. Both are necessary to continue to offer the community an outstanding academic program and adequate, safe instructional facilities. However, the two budgets are totally separate from each other as required by state law.

It is also important to know that a Citizen's Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF) was established in 1988 to provide accountability for district and parcel tax expenditures. This independent committee, comprised of representatives from local business, civic and community organizations, meets annually to review the district's budget and finances. The committee oversees district expenditures to make sure the district carefully manages its money and that the district budget carries no "fat." In addition, the district sends out an annual report card to the community to document how parcel tax revenues are spent.

After extensive analysis conducted this year, the CACF found the district continues to operate on a very lean budget. For instance, district administration expense is less than 1/2 the state average. And, district administrative staffing has not increased in 20 years, despite a 40% increase in student enrollment.

What the CACF did find was a huge gap between the amount of funding the district receives from state and other sources and the cost to produce the current educational program. The CACF recommended the Board of Trustees increase the parcel tax to avoid drastic budget cuts. As a result, the Board placed Measure A on the April 9 ballot.

This year the district could only balance its budget by cutting $2.0 million in expenses, tapping $1.3 in reserves and using one-time sources of revenue.
Thanks to the efforts of district parents, the PTAs and LAEF stepped in to provide extra funds. While the PTAs and LAEF will continue to provide much-needed programs and support to the district as they have in the past, this year's extraordinary effort was only a one-time funding stopgap. An increase in the parcel tax will cover the loss of one-time funding sources and will bridge the funding gap created by rising costs and inflation.

If Measure A doesn't pass, no more cuts can be made to the budget without affecting the quality of the district's educational program. It would be extremely hard to reinstate lost programs and try to rebuild the effective educational program we have today if the district is forced to make further budget cuts for the next school year. Measure A is needed to ensure our children continue to receive the best education possible.

...................................................................................................Back to top

The increase
is needed
to avoid severe cuts
to the budget that
could seriously affect
the quality of educational
program offered
to our children.

...keep class
sizes small,
maintain small
neighborhood schools,
hire and retain
high quality teachers,
keep libraries open,
provide student educational
materials, and preserve
the district's
educational program
at its current level.

Since Measure A
requires a
2/3 majority
to pass,
every vote counts.