By STEFANIE HOFFMAN
Half Moon Bay Review
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The parcel tax proposal asks voters to accept a $175 charge for improved parcels and $30 for unimproved parcels. The resolution also includes an optional exemption for seniors 65 or older. If approved, the tax would run for five years.
Citing their own the recent decision to rebuild a middle school at Cunha Intermediate School and improved relations between school and city officials, school board members said they think the tax has a good chance of passing with the required two-thirds super majority.
“I think it's a possibility that we can do something together as a community and I'll be excited to see it come to fruition,” said schoool board member John Moseley.
The resurgence of hope was not without trepidation. Coastside school parcel taxes have appeared, and been defeated, four times since 1999.
That fact was reflected in the final parcel tax resolution, which school officials said represented a compromise. Although smaller than in previous years, the final amount was increased from an original proposal of $150 for improved parcels and $25 for unimproved parcels.
“I think we were trying to find a balance where we meet our needs,” said Moseley. “I certainly want to be equitable ... I think we struck a fine balance.”
If successful, the tax would provide about $1.6 million needed to fulfill school district priorities that include class-size reduction, expanding and adding programs and classes at the high school, and adding teachers at the high school.
The vote was made just two days before today's deadline to file the resolution with San Mateo County elections office.
School board members discussed the merits of a parcel tax that would supplement badly needed revenues for the cash-strapped school district four days earlier, on March 2, but took no action at that time.
People speaking at recent school board meetings have expressed support for a parcel tax.
Throughout the March 2 meeting, school district officials emphasized that the need was dire.
CUSD Superintendent John Bayless illustrated just how necessary the added revenue is. He said the district's revenues currently match its expenditures at about $27 million a year, but noted that costs are continually rising.
Ever-increasing utility and healthcare costs, unfunded state and federal mandates and a required 3 percent minimum reserve all have contributed to the increasing financial strain placed on the school district's dwindling budget.
Revenues from the state are lower than in neighboring districts, in part due to the district's small population compared to its geographic size, said Bayless.
Even increased state revenues from required cost-of-living and growth adjustments under Proposition 98 fall short of meeting the district's needs, school officials said.
As a result, CUSD teachers salaries are at about $5,000 to $7,000 less per annum than at neighboring school districts, making competition for good teachers more challenging.
Bayless would like to add eight to nine positions at the high school and middle school, at an estimated cost of between $600,000 and $650,000. He would also like to limit class sizes to 25 students in kindergarten through third grade and reduce class sizes in the middle school. Those moves would cost about $500,000 every year.
At the high school, Bayless said he hoped to add “depth and breadth” to programs ranging from advanced placement courses to extracurricular classes such as music, drama and technology which was determined would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 every year.
Those in attendance expressed overwhelming support for the resolution.
“This is a poor district; your schools are under-funded,” said Gerie Bledsoe during the March 2 meeting. “The schools need the support.”
During the March 6 meeting, many even suggested that the school board increase the proposed amount.
“If you're going to do it, you've got to do it right,” said George Muteff. “Let's get the amount that we need.”
The renewed parcel tax proposition sparked a debate regarding the possibility of re-instating busing at the middle school.
“It's a way of reaching out to the public,” said Jonathan Lundell. “It would certainly make a big difference to me as a voter.”
Others suggested reserving the funding for educational needs.
“It's not nearly as important as the core academics,” said Cindy Epps, a parent volunteer who has actively campaigned for the parcel tax in past years. “Academics and busing are two different issues.”
While acknowledging that the sensitive busing issue might sway some voters, ultimately board members decided not to include busing as a priority that would be covered with parcel tax revenues.
Bayless estimated that re-instating busing would likely cost between $200,000 to $300,000.
“The breadth and depth of our programs are much more of a value to our young people,” said Charles Gardner, CUSD vice president. “This is the legacy we leave for our children.”
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