Santa Cruz City High School District Parcel Tax, Measure O (November 2015)

Measure info Amount: $72 per parcel Expires in: 8 years
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A parcel tax measure was on the ballot for Santa Cruz High School District voters in Santa Cruz County, California, on November 17, 2015. It was approved.

Measure O authorized the district to establish for 8 years a parcel tax—a kind of property tax based on units of property rather than assessed value—of $72 per parcel per year.

Another parcel tax measure, Measure P, was on the ballot in the Santa Cruz Elementary School District. It was also approved.

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of the measure.

Election results

Santa Cruz High School District, Measure O
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		15,784	71.63%
No		6,251	28.37%

Election results from Santa Cruz County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The following question appeared on the ballot:

“

To better prepare local middle and high school students for college and career success, shall Santa Cruz City High School District preserve instructional and after-school programs in Career Technical Education, science, technology, engineering and performing arts, and support athletic programs to keep kids safe, healthy and engaged in school, by establishing a parcel tax of $72 per year for 8 years only, with exemptions for senior citizens, independent citizen oversight, and all funds benefitting local middle and high schools?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure O was prepared by the office of the county counsel:

“	If this measure is approved by at least two-thirds of those voting on it, the Santa Cruz City High School District (“the School District”) will be authorized to levy a special tax on real property. The tax would be imposed for eight years beginning July 1, 2016, at the rate of $72 per year on each parcel -- as defined by the measure -- within the School District. Previously voters of the School District approved an eight-year parcel tax (Measure I) on parcels within the District at the rate of $38 per year, ending in 2021. The measure presently before the voters does not affect that existing parcel tax and if approved it would overlap with that tax for a period of time in which both parcel taxes would be owing; that is, the new tax would be in addition to the existing tax from 2016 to 2021. The proceeds of the special tax, if approved, may be applied only to the purposes set out in the full text of Measure O which is printed in this pamphlet. It may not be used for administrative salaries. In accordance with State law, the School District Board would implement accountability measures if the tax is approved. It would create a separate fund into which the proceeds of the special tax shall be deposited. An annual written report would show the amount of the special taxes which have been collected and expended, and the status of projects to be funded from those proceeds. An independent community oversight committee would monitor expenditures funded by this tax. The special parcel tax is to be collected in the same manner as those property taxes which are based upon property value. The measure adjusts the appropriations limit of the District by the amount collected through this parcel tax. A property owner who is 65 years of age or older before July 1 of the tax year may apply for an exemption from the tax if the property is used as his or her principal place of residence. Specified recipients of SSI and SSDI benefits may also apply for exemption. Once granted, the exemption will continue for the term of the tax so long as the applicant remains eligible. A “yes” vote is to approve imposition of the special parcel tax. A “no” vote is against imposition of the special parcel tax.	”
—Jane M. Scott, assistant county counsel

Support

Friends of Santa Cruz Schools campaign logo

Supporters

A campaign called Friends of Santa Cruz Schools was started to urge voters to approve both Measure P and Measure O.

The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of Measure O:

• John Leopold, Santa Cruz County Supervisor
• Michael Watkins, superintendent of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education
• Geoffrey Dunn, writer, historian and lifelong resident
• Kathy Ferraro, parent at Harbor High
• Leif L. “Hal” Rovick, technical education instructor at Soquel High

Arguments in favor

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in favor of Measure O:

“	If you value protecting the quality of local schools – whether to prepare students for college and successful careers, keep kids safe and engaged in school, or simply to protect your property values –Measure O deserves your YES VOTE. Our local secondary schools work hard to prepare students from Santa Cruz, Soquel, Live Oak, Capitola, Bonnie Doon, Happy Valley and surrounding communities for college and career success. The high quality education at Branciforte and Mission Hill Middle Schools, and Harbor, Santa Cruz, and Soquel High Schools includes advanced courses and enrichment in math, science, technology, the arts, and career training. But State and County budget cuts are taking their toll, eliminating funding for secondary programs that contribute to a well-rounded education. As college admissions standards continue to rise, we need to give our kids a competitive edge by maintaining these important educational programs. Measure O will: Support science, technology, and engineering educational initiatives Preserve Career Technical Education (ROP) programs Continue visual and performing arts enrichment Support athletic programs that keep kids safe, healthy, and engaged in school Measure O is a wise investment. ALL Measure O funds stay LOCAL to support middle and high school classroom instruction and after-school programs. The cost is modest, just $6 a month for property owners, and it’s temporary, lasting only eight years. By law, these funds CAN’T be taken away by the State or be used for other purposes. An independent Citizens' Oversight Committee ensures funds are spent as promised. Measure O provides an exemption for senior citizens. If we want our kids to be prepared for college and career success, they need to have a high quality education. Measure O will help. Teachers, parents, civic and business leaders throughout our community URGE YOUR SUPPORT. Please VOTE YES on O – for our local middle and high schools.	”
—John Leopold, Michael Watkins, Geoffrey Dunn, Kathy Ferraro and Leif L. “Hal” Rovick

Opposition

No argument in opposition to Measure O was filed by the deadline. If you know of any endorsements or arguments that should be posted here, please email the Local Ballot Measures Project staff writer.

Path to the ballot

Measure O was put on the ballot by a vote of the district's board of trustees.

Related measures

• Santa Cruz City Elementary School District Parcel Tax, Measure P (November 2015) a

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Santa Cruz High School parcel tax Measure O. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Santa Cruz City High School District Parcel Tax, Measure O (November 2015) - Google News

See also

• California parcel tax on the ballot
• Parcel tax
• Parcel tax elections in California
• Santa Cruz County, California ballot measures
• November 17, 2015 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Santa Cruz County Elections Office website
• Friends of Santa Cruz Schools: Yes on O and P website