Kentfield School District, California, Parcel Tax, Measure B (November 2016)
| Measure B: Kentfield School District Parcel Tax |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 DefeatedMajority required: 66.67% |
| Topic: |
| California parcel tax Expires in: 10 years |
| Related articles |
| California parcel tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Marin County, California ballot measures Local school tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Kentfield School District, California |
A parcel tax measure was on the ballot for Kentfield School District voters in Marin County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of levying an annual parcel tax—a kind of property tax based on units of property rather than assessed value—of $1,600 per parcel for 10 years to retain teachers, maintain classroom sizes, and enhance academic programs. |
| A no vote was a vote against levying an annual parcel tax—a kind of property tax based on units of property rather than assessed value—of $1,600 per parcel for 10 years to retain teachers, maintain classroom sizes, and enhance academic programs. |
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of this measure.
Election results
| Measure B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 3,001 | 42.83% | ||
| Yes | 4,006 | 57.17% | ||
- Election results from Marin County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
MEASURE B: To provide stable funding the State cannot take away, ensure excellence in core academic programs, attract and retain highly-qualified teachers, maintain small class sizes, and enhance enrichment programs, shall the Kentfield School District be authorized to levy $1600 per parcel annually for ten (10) years, with a 5% annual increase, provide a senior citizens’ exemption, and have all funds stay local?[2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Marin County Counsel:
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This measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the Kentfield School District to authorize a special tax to raise money for the cost of public education not to exceed $1,600 per parcel of taxable real property with an annual 5% rate increase, and continuing for a period of ten years. If this measure is approved by two-thirds of the vote, the Kentfield School District would be authorized to levy the special tax on any unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem taxes. A parcel shall be defined as any unit of land in the District that receives a separate tax bill from the Marin County Tax Collector. Any parcel that is classified by the Marin County Assessor as a timeshare property, for the purposes of levying and collecting the special tax against such parcels, shall be set in amount proportional to the percentage of the year owned by said timeshare, to the extent permitted by law. All property that would otherwise be exempt from property taxes will also be exempt from the qualified special tax. An exemption will be available to persons who are 65 years or older and own and occupy as a principal residence a parcel and apply to the District for such exemption under procedures established by the District or otherwise as required by law or by the Marin County Tax Collector. The proceeds of the special tax shall be applied only for the purposes set forth in the measure.[2] |
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| —Marin County Counsel[1] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[1]
- Adam Baumgarten, M.D.
- Gavin Newsom, Lt. Governor of California
- Elizabeth Freeman, V.P. KWPOA
- Mary C. Gilardi
- Ashley Farmer Paff, Trustee, Kentfield School District
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
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Bacich Elementary and Kent Middle are exemplary schools, both having been officially recognized with Gold Ribbon Awards by the California Department of Education. Measure B will enable the Kentfield School District to continue to ensure excellence in core academic programs, attract and retain highly qualified teachers, maintain small class sizes, and enhance enrichment programs. For over 100 years, Kentfield schools have ignited the educational curiosity of students, successfully preparing them to excel in higher education and contribute to our community. The reputation of our schools attracts families to the District, resulting in steadily increasing property values and retention of that value during downtimes like the recent recession. Measure B is vital to our schools and the health of our community. The Kentfield/Greenbrae community has supported a District parcel tax since 1987. The parcel tax is a crucial, reliable funding stream which represents 25% of the District’s budget. Combined with prudent spending and generous contributions from parents and the community, the parcel tax enables our schools to achieve the excellence we have come to expect. Loss of this funding stream – up to $5 million annually – would have a devastating effect on our program. To conform with recent court rulings, Measure B will amend the structure of its renewed parcel tax by charging all parcels a uniform rate instead of the tiered rates for residential and commercial rates under the current 2008 parcel tax. The renewal will continue 5% annual increases to address inflation, projected enrollment growth, and rising costs. Measure B provides an exemption for property owners 65 and older by applying to the District. The excellent education provided by our schools has been a cornerstone for generations of Kentfield and Greenbrae students and families. Please join us in extending that foundation of excellence by voting yes on Measure B.[2] |
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Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Michael Hartnett
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
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You have read the reasons for voting in favor of Measure B. Now look at your property tax bill. This year you will pay $1089 for the Kentfield School District (KSD), which includes the annual 5% increase. This ranks among the highest among Marin School districts, and does not include $300/year in school bonds. In the early 2000’s, California’s schools were underfunded due to the state’s fiscal crisis. Marin’s school districts all had a modest parcel tax to make up the difference. Kentfield School District’s (KSD) tax was just a third of what it is now, and student test scores ranked in the state’s top 10%, as they are today. With the state on sound financial ground and a substantially larger parcel tax, KSD’s request for a 46% increase is excessive. Claims of poverty do not have the ring of truth. They do NOT need more money to maintain excellence. There is every reason to expect that much of this extra money will go towards administrators' salaries and pensions. Enrichment programs and other extras ought to be paid for by students’ parents through the Kentfield Schools Foundation, not by taxpayers. The tax is unfair - those over 65 are exempt by state law and renters pay nothing. The hedge fund manager in Kent Woodlands pays no more than the nurse living in a one-bedroom Condo in Greenbrae. It is becoming increasingly difficult for our health care providers, public safety employees and other working folks to afford to live in this county. For many of them paying another $500+ a year may be the breaking point. Vote "NO" on B.[2] |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Kentfield School District, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Kentfield School District California parcel tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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