High School board votes 3/6/12 to place parcel tax on the ballot

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, 2/14/12. "The trustees of the Jefferson Union High School District hired a polling research firm and a political consultant to determine if voters would be likely to support a parcel tax. The results of that poll are in, with more than 65 percent showing support for a $48/year parcel tax with a duration of four years. The school board will vote on March 6 to decide whether or not to put it on the June ballot.

"If we go, we'll go in June," said JUHSD Superintendent Tom Minshew. "It's needed. We had a lot of cuts from the state and, since 2008, we have cut $3.4 million. We need it to continue to offer quality education to our students. Given the uncertainties of state funding for our schools, we have to ask the community to support this."

The $48 tax for a duration of four years was the lowest of several options potential voters were asked to consider. The highest parcel tax amount was $100 and the longest duration was 8 years.
Godbe Research and TBWB Strategies presented the results of a voter opinion survey to the board of trustees last week. "We see strong voter support for this measure, which would provide stable, local revenue for local high schools that could not be taken away by the state," said Sarah Stern of TBWB Strategies.

Voter support for a potential educational parcel tax to enhance math, science, reading and writing skills, to provide career training and college preparation, to provide computer instruction and attract Voters also agreed that fiscal accountability provisions, including an independent citizens' oversight committee and a prohibition against using any funds for administrators would be essential components of the potential measure. A senior exemption was an important piece to those who responded to the survey, as well.and retain qualified teachers reached the 67 percent level of support in the voter survey, which would be required for the measure to be successful in an election."

Posted by Kathy Meeh