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LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
Santa Barbara County, CA November 4, 2003 Election
Measure Q2003
Parcel Tax
Hope School District
2/3 Approval Required

2313 / 60.5% Yes votes ...... 1510 / 39.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Nov 19 9:55am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (14/14)
Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To guarantee reliable funding, improve educational programs, keep small class sizes, provide updated classroom textbooks and supplies, maintain programs that aid students with reading, and continue providing a quality education so our community will remain a great place to live, shall the Hope School District be authorized to implement an instructional parcel tax of $58 per year per parcel for a term not to exceed four years, with an exemption for eligible senior citizens?

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote of this measure means:
you want to authorize the Hope Elementary School District to levy a tax of up to $58 per parcel for five years.

A NO vote of this measure means:
you do not want to authorize the Hope Elementary School District to levy a parcel tax.

Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
The California Constitution authorizes school districts to levy a special tax on property in addition to the ad valorem tax, that is, tax based on the value of property generally levied by the state. The special tax may be imposed by 2/3 of the votes cast on the election proposal. With measure Q2003 the Hope Elementary School District seeks voter approval of a special "parcel tax" of up to $58 per parcel for four years assessed against each parcel of taxable land in the District. If measure Q2003 receives a 2/3 vote, The Hope Elementary School District will be authorized to levy a parcel tax for the following projects:

  • Continuing to provide programs that aid students with their reading skills
  • Maintaining current library programs and services
  • Continuing to provide students with up-to-date classroom materials
  • Keeping computer labs open, updated, and to allow for continued student learning
  • Maintaining small class sizes for optimum learning throughout the District
  • Maintaining cultural arts programs such as music and art classes

If the measure is not approved by at least 2/3 of the qualified voters voting on it, the measure will fail.

s/ Clare H. Macdonald

   Official Information

Hope School District
Suggest a link related to Measure Q2003
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Arguments For Measure Q2003
The Hope School District has done a great job of providing quality educational programs for over 75 years. Student test scores consistently rank among the highest in the State. Our schools are the recipients of several awards including the California Distinguished and National Blue Ribbon School Awards. These are some of the reasons why our community is a great place to live.

Recently, California schools have felt a severe impact from the State's budget crisis, and the Hope School District is no exception. To date, the District has made over $300,000 in budget cuts. Since the State cannot get its act together, it's up to our local community to ensure the quality of education is not impacted.

As taxpayers, parents, seniors and business leaders, we have an opportunity to protect our students from the State's problems.

MEASURE Q WILL GUARANTEE RELIABLE FUNDING AND MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS, IT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO:

  • Provide programs that aid students with reading needs;
  • Maintain high test scores by preserving small class sizes;
  • Provide quality and up-to-date classroom materials such as textbooks, supplies, and modern technology; and
  • Keep current library programs and services. MEASURE Q HAS TAXPAYER SAFEGUARDS INCLUDING:
  • A maximum term of four years;
  • Exemptions for qualified senior citizens and
  • Mandatory annual audits on all parcel tax expenditures.

We all agree in the importance of an excellent education and the collective value of good schools. Good schools mean good property values, a safer community, and an overall better quality of life. Measure Q will help maintain a high quality education so our community can continue to be a great place to live.

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS.
VOTE YES ON MEASURE Q!

s/ Hanne Sonquist
Director Emeritus, Starr King Parent/Child Workshop (SBCC)

s/ Adrienne Schuele
Parent, Local Realtor

s/ Ethan Stone
President, Hope School District Board of Trustees

s/ Gregg Hart
Santa Barbara City Councilmember

s/ Craig Zimmerman
President, The Towbes Group, Inc.

(No arguments against Measure Q2003 were submitted)

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Created: December 19, 2003 15:07 PST
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