818 / 75.5% Yes votes ...... 265 / 24.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Dated: August 21, 1998

PATRICK K. FAULKNER
County Counsel

Our District takes its fiscal responsibility seriously. Out of 306 districts statewide with 500 students or less, our district ranks 291st in public expenditures per student. It has furthermore taken extra steps to cut total spending in an effort to make ends meet. Despite these efforts, our school will continue to be in deficit spending. We are feeling the strain of long-established limits in state law regarding school financing. Without passage of the tax, the district will be forced to cut into core programs. Even with passage, the total proposed parcel tax bill will still be $40 less than the average parcel tax for elementary districts feeding into the Tamalpais Unified School District.

Property owners age 65 and over will be exempt from the tax for their primary residence, and once the exemption is granted it need not be renewed annually. In addition, contiguous parcels owned by the same person may be consolidated so only one tax is due for those parcels.

The additional $40 per year ($20 per semi-annual payment) represents less than $4 per month. There can be no better community investment than providing quality education. Please VOTE YES on MEASURE C.

s/ Margaux Kirsch

s/ Annie M. Crotts

s/ Jack Siedman

s/ Jeanne Sherfey

s/ Bonnie M. Jones

(No arguments against Measure C were submitted)

BEFORE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE BOLINAS-STINSON UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION AND ORDER OF ELECTION IN THE MATTER OF A SPECIAL TAX ELECTION TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND SCHOOL PROGRAMS

WHERE AS, the California State Legislature has failed to provide adequate and necessary funding for the continued operations of the schools of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District and their instructional programs; and

WHERE AS, as a result of this lack of funding for the schools, Bolinas-Stinson Union School District is in danger of reducing programs beneficial and necessary to the children who attend the schools of the district; and

WHERE AS, inequities in school finance have made it possible for other elementary districts in this region to spend an average of $279.44 more per child per year to prepare their children for a high school education; and

WHERE AS, continued reliance solely on State funding will result in further loss of critical programs; and

WHERE AS, a thorough and developed public education program delivers many long-lasting benefits and advantages to all of the residents of our community; and

WHERE AS, Section 4 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and Government Code Sections 50075, 50076, 50077, 50079, and 53720 et seq. authorize school districts to levy a "special tax" to raise funds for the purpose of providing funds to run the schools of the district upon approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by voters voting upon such a special tax proposal;

THEREFORE, the Governing Board of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District resolves to conduct an election on November 3, 1998 at which will be submitted to the qualified voters of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District a measure to authorize a special tax for the purpose of maintaining vital educational programs, critical to the educational process in the schools of the district;

BE IT RESOLVED, FURTHERMORE, BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE BOLINAS-STINSON UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Said election is hereby called to be held within the boundaries of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District, at which election shall be submitted to the qualified voters the following measure, to wit:

MEASURE C

Shall the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District provide funds for the continuance of quality educational programs by levying a special tax assessment of $20.00 semi-annually per assessor's parcel for a limited period of 4 years, beginning July 1, 1999, with exemptions for any beneficial owners who have attained the age of 65 on or before May 1 of any applicable year, who use those parcels as their principal residences?

The funds shall be used for:

District programs: maintain present education program and maintain reasonable class size. Basic instructional materials: maintain adequate per student allowance and update classroom texts to ensure adequate quantity and quality of texts

Educational and instructional equipment and supplies: maintain current instructional equipment.

Operation and maintenance: maintain sufficient staff for efficient operation and adequate allowance for building and grounds maintenance.

Priorities for expenditure of funds the first and each successive year will be determined by the Governing Board with input from staff, parents, and the community.

The special tax will be imposed in the amount of $40 for a limited period of four years for each assessor's parcel. An exemption from the assessment will be made available to each individual in the district who will attain age 65 years prior to May 1 of the assessment year, who owns a beneficial interest in the parcel, who uses that parcel as his or her principal place of residence, and who applies to the district on or before May 1, 1998 or May of any succeeding assessment year. Any one application from a qualified applicant will provide an exemption for the parcel for the remaining term of the assessment so long as such applicant continues to use the parcel as his or her principal residence.

Section 2. The text of the measure as displayed on each individual ballot shall be abbreviated and shall read as follows:

Shall the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District provide funds for the continuance of quality educational programs by levying a special tax assessment of $20.00 semi-annually per assessor's parcel for a limited period of 4 years, beginning July 1, 1999, with exemptions for any beneficial owners who have attained the age of 65 on or before May 1 of any applicable year, who use those parcels as their principal residences?

Section 3. Commencing on July 1, 1999, the special tax specified above, shall be collected and administered in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are fixed and collected under provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Section 4. The Superintendent of Schools of Marin County is hereby requested to call an election of the said "special tax" to be held on November 3, 1998. The County Clerk is hereby requested and authorized to : 1) set forth on all sample ballots relating to said election to be mailed to the qualified electors of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District said measure; and 2) provide absent voter ballots for said "special tax" election for use by qualified electors of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District who are entitled thereto in the manner provided by law.

Section 5. If any section, sub-section, phrase or clause of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution. This governing board declares that it would have adopted this resolution and each section, sub-section, phrase or clause thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, sub-sections, sentences, phrases or clauses be declared invalid.

Section 6. The clerk of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District Governing Board is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the due adoption of this resolution and to transmit a copy hereof so certified to the Superintendent of Schools of Marin County and to file a copy hereof so certified with the County Clerk, of Marin County.

The foregoing resolution was moved by board member Sarah Hake, seconded by Barbara Bowen, and adopted on roll call on June 23, 1998, by the following vote:

Board Member: Sarah Hake -- Aye

Board Member: Barbara Bowen -- Aye

Board Member: Laura DiStasi -- Aye

Board Member: Carole Brill -- Aye

Board Member: Bonnie Lou Feld -- Absent/Not Voting

AYES: 4 NOES: 0 ABSENT/NOT VOTING: 1

WHEREUPON, the President declared the foregoing resolution duly adopted and

SO ORDERED.

s/ Bonnie Lou Feld

President, Governing Board
Bolinas-Stinson Union School District

Attest: s/ Laura DiStasi

Clerk of the Board of Trustees
Bolinas-Stinson Union School District