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64 comments:
Hey Steve,
Can you give us break down on how this funding is used? How much does this represent annually and why is it still necessary? just want to understand the financials here...
Thanks!
No thanks!!! Start cutting staff salaries and then maybe I will think about it.
Start cutting salaries and all your good employees leave. Then you get slackers.
342 Aww bull. You might lose a few, but they'd soon be replaced because government jobs are no longer undesirable. Quite the contrary. They offer very competitive salaries, job security, rich benefits and those fat pensions. Problem is there's no
political will to derail this gravy train because those with the power to do so are usually on the train and also need the support and campaign contributions of public employee unions. Don't worry about losing all that talent, nothing's going to change.
6:13
But you make min wage, right?
does pacifica or any other city in america get any money from the lottery for the schools? that power ball is always in the millions every week, must be alot of tax money generated every week from that, and we are not getting it.
Yes the lotto gives schools money. Go on the state lotto webpage. It was a great idea, but poorly written. The lotto didn't add extra money, it replaced existing monies.
No. Schools want more money from property owners and politicians want cheap housing for young teachers who have yet to prove their worth??? You crazy. And this stupid lotto to get into schools is stupid. Why can't children walk to the school near their home? Ass backwards. Creates traffic jams. Also, teachers double dip. They don't pay into Social Security but still draw on it when eligible. Bullshit. Stop putting teachers on a pedestal. Start teaching children to compete in this New America. Instead they are forcd to learn on how not to insult one another. Yawn.
i would rather vote for the school kids to have a merry go round built, or a skating rink, or a soda shop , so they have some social activity. i wont vote for this tax, no no
This happens every time - we are asked to pass this parcel tax on the promise that it's "temporary; it's only for x years". Then when it expires, it's back on the ballot again "it's only for x years". NO MORE PARCEL TAXES UNTIL WE HAVE MORE HOMES.
902 More bull. You a product of "good employee" public school teachers? No one suggested they work for minimum wage.
Why 10 years? why not ask for 3 years? I thought this was a supplemental to cover a short-term shortfall? Also, why don't they disclose where the money was spent? There is supposed to be Citizens' Oversight Committee that reviews expenditures... How much money was collected 10 years * $118 * # of eligible households and did they spend it all? Any why exclude seniors? We have more seniors now then 10 years ago...
there seems to be some inaccuracy in their flyer as well. It shows per student funding against much more affluent neighbors... I suspect you have to pay more for staff in Burlingame and Belmont then Pacifica so the comparison is misleading. The question should be what is the right funding to make sure our kids get a solid education that prepares them for live, not how much other cities pay.
More than a few teachers with nice houses on Pedro Point.
City intentionally moved every dime of educational funds to Palmetto project to make it look liked schools had no money. No one's fooled.
Stop the nimbies paying union workers two or three times what they're worth.
Vote against this.
316 What the hell are you talking about? What educational funds did the City move to Palmetto? Who are you to say any union workers are being paid more than they're worth or that the nimbies are behind that? You got bullshit overflow. Lot of that going around.
If people have actual questions that they would like answers to as far as how the parcel tax money is spent or why it is necessary, they are welcome to email me and I will be happy to explain.
mlevie@pacificasd.org.
Matthew Levie, isn't it illegal to use school resources like email addresses to market a parcel tax?
How many times did you ask Pacifica city council for any excess ERAF funds this year? I watch every single meeting on TV and I never saw you there once.
@1:42PM, City Council doesn't run the schools and has nothing to do with school funding.
@220p.m. Since when does ERAF have nothing to do with school funding?
Thanks Matt,
One for putting your email out there and offering to answer questions.
Two for putting to the end rumors and bullshit.
Sinai
City council's can put money into school funding. But school funding is normally a state issue.
Several cities in San Mateo County vote for schools parcel taxes, and allow a senior exemption. See San Mateo Assessor's Office.
And Matt, if you like, you are also welcome to post a blog article with any parcel tax information, including what you might consider common city resident questions. See blog upper left.
"City council's can put money into school funding."
City Council can fund my gambling habit, too. That doesn't mean it's going to do it.
Matt Levie please post all questions and answers you get from this website as a public service rather than hiding all opposition like Riptide does.
And thank you for your work, asking each and every one of us for more than a thousand bucks each takes a lot of chutzpah when we've got so many teachers making over a hundred thousand dollars a year
www.transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/2014/school-districts/san-mateo/pacifica-school-district/
You gamble? Vegas loves taking your money!
Matt, is it true that this will tax might pay for free housing for principals who are already making more than a hundred fifty thousand a year?
That doesn't seem fair to me.
Would you mind either leaving your name if you would like me to answer a question, or emailing me privately if you do not want to use it? I truly am happy to answer questions, but I am straightforward about my identity and I would like to have discussions with actual citizens, not anonymous web posts.
You can even use my personal email if you think your question might be less about facts and more about advocacy: matt.levie@gmail.com.
Matt
You are the voice of reason in an unreasonable town.
Just like on Riptide. Ask a tough question and you never get an answer.
Pacifica School District/Renewing Local Parcel Tax Funding: See the box, middle of page, marked on the left side of the box "Fact Sheet".
Open link, information there.
Below the Link and the box, there are other links that support the fact sheet information.
Wait long enough, and if you are registered to vote-- the Tax Measure will be presented, and mailed to you in it's entirety.
(Sure it would have been easier to retype the provisions of the Tax Measure for those of you who have problems figuring out how to opening the link on this article.)
Matt, I have kids in public school and I don't want to raise any waves.
I heard some parents that raised questions last time got treated very poorly, and it makes me a little bummed out.
Answering the question here in an open forum lets everyone discuss it, in a respectful manner that doesn't make my kids get the rookie teachers next year.
You're asking every user on this thread for over a thousand dollars, don't you expect to have to answer a few questions in public about it?
1018, unless I missed something, the School tax renewal is $118 (one hundred eighteen and no/100's dollars), the same as prior.
"The Pacifica School District Board of Edication is considering renewing its existing $118 parcel tax, without increase, during the June 2016 election. Without this continued source of local funding, the district would have to cut critical educational programs." See Frequently ask questions, "What action is the district considering to renew local funding?" This link is also one of several listed in the article link (above).
Matt-
How do you feel about school vouchers? It would certainly appear that they would increase competition amongst schools and teachers, give the students more choice and help parents with the high cost of tuition if the best choice for their children's education was a private school. Seems like a win for everyone except those who don't like competition, i.e., the under-performing teachers/public schools.
BTW Matt, I purposely signed this Anonymous to give you an excuse not to answer.
It's silly to say its a thousand dollars when its spread out over ten years.
It's really only $118 a year, and if you put a thousand dollars in the bank right now you'd have money left over by the time you got done paying this very tiny tax.
I always vote for every tax proposed because I know how carefully this city spends money. We don't have a lot and we value every dime.
It seems very reasonable for Matt to decline to respond to anonymous posts. He's using his name. If you want him to answer your question, use yours.
Matt Levie doesn't have to answer FixPacifica's anonymous readers but they don't have to vote for his school bond either.
It's been a month since Steve asked "Can you give us break down on how this funding is used? How much does this represent annually and why is it still necessary? just want to understand the financials here" and still no reply from Matt.
How about you just answer Steve's question Matt?
It's not unreasonable, it's the basics anyone even voting would want to know.
1042 what's 118 x 10? It's more than a thousand bucks from every home.
Holiest of Molys 814 I just looked at your transparent California link.
Teachers here make a lot of money!!!!! Last year when they were picketing at the foot of my street I thought they were making minimum wage but you've got principals and more than a few teachers in Pacifica in the top twenty percent
Matt, how do we justify the huge money and bennies these teachers are making?
Why doesn't Sinai pull the information and post it. You wait a month for someone to respond, either they don't want too, are too lazy, or are in way over their heads!
Matt, you don't have to respond to anonymous questions, but we don't have to vote for your tax either.
We already pay taxes intended to pay for all pacifica schools and because you can't control your budgets you want us to pay even more? Yet again?
Last time we were told this parcel tax was a one time thing.
Now people like Matt Levie can't even tell us what they did with our money for the last ten years.
I'm voting no until we get some answers.
831, another way to think of the school tax is $10 per month ($9.83) for a better educational advantage than you had.
908 seriously, the separate issue of teacher and administrator salaries you bring-up is unrelated to renewal of this school tax which enhances education for our children-- but, you think minimum wage would be the justifiable salary for these professionals?
830 interesting point. There is an oversight board to review expenditures for this tax, hence there must also be an expense spreadsheet (or, some kind of annualized accountability).
Matt Levie, if you are viewing this comment, are you able to direct the public to that information?
Matt why is the Jefferson parcel tax half the cost of the Pacifica school district tax?
Why not make so any citizen could exempt themselves, whether seniors or not?
Lots of seniors are in a lot better shape than young people.
Now I know there are a lot of seniors on this website but you folks that own your own homes and have a steady pension don't have all the expensive housing costs we do.
For a more accurate number of the cost to every home owner covering parcel taxes for schools you can just scan your annual property tax bill. It has a breakdown of each fee (like sewer) each parcel tax (grade school and highschool) and the amount you are paying that goes to just your actual property tax. In my case the added on fees and parcel taxes equal an added 50% cost to the annual amount my property taxes.
God bless the little chillin's, but do we need to subsidies administrative salaries again because the teachers and students are not profiting from this tax. And there is the rub.
I emailed Matt at both addresses and let him know he had some questions waiting.
Some of these questions are a month old but some are only three days old. Let's just be patient and see what his answer is.
"It's been a month since Steve asked 'Can you give us break down on how this funding is used? How much does this represent annually and why is it still necessary? just want to understand the financials here' and still no reply from Matt."
I never asked that. And I agree with Matt not answering questions from people posting anonymously.
Looks like 1st year teachers in San Francisco make $46,000 per year.
Matt, how much do 1st year teachers in Pacifica make? Looks like more than $58,000, is that true?
http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Hawaii-wants-teachers-offering-financial-7249036.php
356 ah, you're probably the same as 1012 Anonymous who wants a mandatory requirement for poor, old people to pay $118 for the annual school tax which benefit your children. (And some old people do pay the tax, but are allowed to opt out.)
And of course, this $118 annual school tax has zero to do with teacher salaries, it has to do with enhancing the teaching program (again the information link to that information is on the article).
Want to know what qualifies for teacher salaries, try Google "Teacher salaries, Pacifica, CA."
And since you like articles, here's a reprint posted on Fix Pacifica, 7/2/12. That information is 4 years old, but unless there's been a major change at District level, the trend likely holds.
The guy that asked the question last month was a different Steve
Hard keep track of all da playaz
Many think Matt Levie will run for Karen Ervin's city council seat in the fall.
Strong, "numbers" guy, I think he will be a great choice.
Since Kathy asked, here is a breakdown of what the parcel tax funds are being used for. Yes, of course it's on the web site (there's even a special link for "parcel tax,") and of course it has been discussed at many agendized public meetings of the board, but I have no problem putting it here so it is easy to access.
- about ten teacher salaries are on the parcel tax. This helps us keep class sizes down to 24:1 in grades K-3. A first-year teacher makes $46-47K after recent salary increases, and the maximum after 28 years and a master's degree is $83K. Salary schedules, by the way, are also on the web site.
- we pay for the fifth grade Outdoor Ed program for every single student in the district. This is a required week-long program, and part of the science curriculum, but most districts make parents pay about $350 for it, as did we until last year.
- beginning teacher training is paid for out of parcel tax.
- four hours a day of library/media technician time at each school.
- we used parcel tax funds to upgrade our wireless network last year because we were required by the state to transition to computer-based testing (rather than on paper). Many school districts had a very hard time their first year. Due to the generosity of the Pacifica community, it was very seamless for us.
This money really does provide a lot of valuable services for the children of Pacifica. Our education system is vastly better because of the generosity of the people of Pacifica, so thank you.
Also: I am absolutely not running for City Council in November. Period.
Thanks Matt, I think you would be a great city councilman.
I'm totally onboard with widening highway and putting some real housing solutions in the quarry, but all these constant taxes are wearing me down just a little bit.
Is there any chance that the school district would consider amending the vote to allow those over 55 to exempt themselves too?
1223, possibly give-up Starbucks 2x per month and you'll be good.
Otherwise, give us your name so we can set-up a Go Fund Me account.
Part of the tax, the (average) class size ratio Matt advised, helps control learning advantages for children. The next generation will benefit from your generosity.
And hopefully these are not the kids who would be getting in trouble (because no one cared), about the time you turn age 65.
Again thanks.. it's for the children!
Some of us in Pacifica have made personal sacrifices to send our children to private schools. We are paying for public schools in assorted taxes we contribute to and I have no problem with that. My husband and I didn't buy new cars or go on vacations for ten years to pay for what we believed to be an important necessity, our children's education. The schools used to do fundraisers for special events and the PTA contributed (like outdoor ed). I thought the original School measure was to modernize the school facilities, not to pay for outdoor ed, wireless access for school sites or library/media technicians. I honestly don't know whether I can support the continuation of the measure. Why can't parents of today pay their own way for extras for their own children instead of depending on the citizens of Pacifica to fund these items? One of my sons is only 25 years old so it wasn't that long ago I was funding, grammer, high school and college.
I totally understand your frustration. But as a parent with two kids in the district, I can tell you that parents absolutely do pay for the extras for their kids, as well as volunteering hundreds of hours at the schools. Lots of things I took for granted as a kid, like PE teachers, Art teachers, Music teachers, bus drivers (and buses!) for field trips, and classroom aides, are all roles that are mostly filled by parent volunteers. Not to mention the endless stream of fundraisers (also run by parents) to help pay for essential supplies, library books, supplemental instructors, and on and on. In spite of all that, I have been consistently impressed by the high level of education my kids have received, and how much they truly love their school and their incredibly dedicated teachers. I too wish that the parcel tax was not necessary, but I honestly can't imagine how our schools would function without it.
willowyne, my kid's school doesn't spends its fundraised money on the kids, it spends it on things like presents for teachers, I kid you not.
Thank you to all who volunteer, but these schools are fully funded by the government. The idea that we can't hire teachers at current money and benefits is bs, I know several teachers that would love to work in Pacifica but drive fifty miles a day round trip because they can't get hired here.
At our school we have a lot of teachers that live in San Francisco and commute here because the money is so good.
p.s. that class size ratio is just average for the state.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sd/dr/cefteachavgclssize.asp
Why cant the schools and city learn to live within its means?
Every election year after year were asked to pay more and more money for this, that, the other thing.
I would vote for any candidate that said Enough, no new taxes just like Reagan did.
We are paying too much of our scare income in taxes.
City and schools need to cut costs too. Cant just be the people having to scrimp and save.
816 PS: smaller classes generally create a better learning environment and experience for children. That seems to be a logical reason the School District and the State would prefer to keep the teacher - children ratio about 1-24 (approximate ratio as understood "forever", and supplied by Matt).
Some questions about your main 813 comments:
1. You said your kid's school has fund raising events for "teacher presents". Really, under what conditions-- nice gifts for teachers, nothing for children education programs?
2. Schools are "fully funded"? From that comes quality education, up to and above Bay Area standards? How about quality education doesn't matter, deteriorating conditions, and half-day school-- that sounds better?
3. Several teachers you know drive because they can't get hired here. You know a lot of teachers outside Pacifica do you? Even so, teacher positions may be competitive and filled here and in other parts of the Bay Area. Plus, teachers that are settled, and happy tend to stay put.
4. You say, the money for teachers in Pacifica is better than San Francisco, and that's why they want to teach here? Probably not. Teaching in intercity school is different, and without a comparison, it's doubtful the salary and benefits are better in Pacifica. Out of all the cities in San Mateo County, we are talking about Pacifica, aren't we?
910 (who may also be 813, 816), then Governor Reagan turned-out mental hospital patients to live in private boarding homes; he also said he thought homeless people liked sleeping on street grates because the grates were warm. Sure he said "enough"-- wrong direction for the people concerned and the society (including the rest of us) though.
Blahblahblah another tax and spend liberal trying to tell us how they can spend our money better.
Vote this tax down and vote every tax down until these bleeding heart liberals learn how to balance their checkbooks.
It isn't that hard people. Don't spend what you don't have, period.
1102, $118 annual tax for better elementary education results?
Someone's going to vote no, might as well be you.
910 (who may also be 813, 816), then Governor Reagan turned-out mental hospital patients to live in private boarding homes; he also said he thought homeless people liked sleeping on street grates because the grates were warm. Sure he said "enough"-- wrong direction for the people concerned and the society (including the rest of us) though.
Kathy
Please don't bring yourself down to Riptide coward post and run level. The Reagan administration was sued saying the State kept mental hospital against their own will. You have the right to refuse or leave any Hospital and refuse treatment. Doctors take an oath to try to save or help every one who comes through the door. Reagan was forced by legal action to release these people.
Democrats and Lib rials blame Republicans for every ill in society. Just like how Republicans say Liberalism is a mental disorder.
825, several "goofy" anonymous comments against the $118 annual school tax renewal may have come from one far left NIMBY troll ("Riptide crowd") pretending to be a far right wingnut.
And 825, my comment was about then Gov Reagan cost cutting, turning-out the mentally ill from designated State facilities to private boarding houses, rather than a lawsuit determination that allowed some mentally ill patients to refuse care, and leave such facilities. (At the same time, your comment adds greater context).
My household is voting for measure D.
Google is yer friend:
https://www.shapethefuture.org/elections/2016/june/candidates_measures/documents/MD_ImpartialAnalysis.pdf
It does not list a breakdown on the expenditures on the district, nor should it. The argument against argues that if you look at the whole state, Pacifica schools are funded higher than average and have a poor track record for effectiveness, citing"English learners attaining proficiency" as a metric. The argument further seems to be that -"No, they cannot use THOSE funds for administration, but they can use OTHER funds if they have these. Fair enough.
Taxes aren't being raised, this extends the status quo. I believe that the argument that the schools should be defunded due to poor test results has a basic fallacy - how does defunding possibly improve effectiveness and availability of resources to improve those test scores? The tax has been there for a number of years, the assessment is part all property owner budgets, and good schools raise property values - plain and simple. I am really not seeing the downside here. If you have a problem with current school effectiveness - don't defund, get involved, volunteer, and make a difference.
Then again, I might be considered a "NIMBY troll"...I am new in town and have not yet figured out what the hell everyone is fighting about...
You guys are funny. Arguing about 32 cents a day to provide a better education for the children of Pacifica. The waste is at the bloated administration level. We want well paid teachers so we can have well educated civilians. There is a ton of waste in government. Your city managers pay is an example. BTW...Did you know she resigned from the same job in Walnut Creek along with two others to avoid having to answer questions about a scandal? Just before getting the job here. Good job vetting new hires city council members!
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