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Santa Cruz City Schools parcel taxes, Measures I and J (June 2012)
Two Santa Cruz City Schools parcel tax ballot questions, Measures I and J, were on the June 5, 2012 ballot for voters in the Santa Cruz City Schools District in Santa Cruz County.[1] Both measures were approved.
Measures I and J increased the annual amount that property owners in the district pay in parcel taxes.
- Measure I, the annual parcel tax to support the high school district, increases the current parcel tax from $28/parcel to $38/parcel.[2]
- Measure J, the annual parcel tax to support the elementary school district, increases the current parcel tax from $70/parcel to $85/parcel.[2]
The current taxes are set to expire in 2013.[2]
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was needed for approval.
Election results
Measure I
| Measure I | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 21,333 | 79.02% | ||
| No | 5,665 | 20.98% | ||
Measure J
| Measure J | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 11,092 | 80.97% | ||
| No | 2,607 | 19.03% | ||
- These final election results are from the Santa Cruz County elections office.
Support
The editorial board of the Santa Cruz Sentinel endorsed both measures, saying, "The decision to seek the renewed tax funding comes as the district faces a total of $4 million in possible budget cuts this year and next. The situation is highly fluid, since Gov. Jerry Brown has said that if voters in November turn down his tax package, it will trigger midyear cuts for schools, including $2 million for the 7,000-student Santa Cruz district. The school board has already taken measures to bridge an existing $2 million gap in state funding. The consequences of another hit of an equal amount or more if the state tax package fails -- a distinct possibility since polls show wavering support -- is almost too painful to consider."[3]
The voter guide arguments in favor of Measure I were signed by:
- Bill Monning, Assemblymember
- Bruce McPherson, Former Secretary of State
- Susan True, Cabrillo College Trustee
- Phil Wowak, Sheriff-Coroner
- Cynthia Mathews, Former Mayor, City of Santa Cruz
The voter guide arguments in favor of Measure J were signed by:
- John Laird, Former State Assemblymember
- Ryan Coonerty, City Councilmember
- Kevin Vogel, Chief of Police, City of Santa Cruz
- Reyna Ruiz, Community Leader
- Patty Zoccoli, Business Owner
Opposition
No arguments against Measures I or J were submitted for the official voter guides/sample ballots.
Ballot text
Measure I
The question on the ballot:
| MEASURE I: To continue expiring funding to retain highly qualified teachers and librarians, prepare students for college/careers, provide academic counseling for at-risk youth, and continue improving classroom academics, shall the Santa Cruz City High School District renew its expiring parcel tax at $38 per parcel annually for eight years, with exemptions available for seniors, independent oversight and accountability, no funds for administrator salaries, and guaranteed local control, so funds stay in local high schools to preserve quality education?[4] |
Measure J
The question on the ballot:
| MEASURE J: To continue expiring funding to retain highly qualified teachers and librarians, protect school art and music instruction, provide academic counseling and continue improving classroom academics, shall the Santa Cruz City Elementary School District renew its expiring parcel tax at $85 per parcel annually for eight years, with exemptions available for seniors, independent oversight and accountability, no funds for administrator salaries, and guaranteed local control, so funds stay in Santa Cruz elementary and middle schools to preserve quality education?[4] |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Santa Cruz Sentinel, "Santa Cruz City Schools Trustees OK parcel tax measure, plan for $4 million in cuts amid some preliminary layoffs," February 22, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Monterey Herald, "Santa Cruz schools seek parcel tax renewal: Measures support arts, music, teacher retention," May 5, 2012
- ↑ Santa Cruz Sentinel, "As We See It: Parcel taxes vital for SC schools: Vote yes on measures I and J," May 3, 2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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