League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA May 4, 2010 Election
	Measure C Parcel Tax Lakeside Joint School District Parcel Tax - 2/3 Approval Required Official Final Results from Santa Clara & Santa Cruz Counties Pass: 517 / 67.2% Yes votes ...... 252 / 32.8% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure C

Arguments Against Measure C

Lakeside School has provided an excellent education for local students here in our mountain community for over 127 years. Lakeside is the fourth highest ranked elementary school district in Santa Clara County in student achievement, with small class sizes and excellent teachers for kindergarten through fifth grade students. A Lakeside partnership with Campbell Union School District provides a comprehensive education for middle school students, including teachers with specialized training in the subjects they teach, strong academics like reading, writing and math, art and a science program with labs. Yet, due to ongoing declines in state funding, Lakeside School faces drastic cutbacks and the middle school program is in jeopardy. Without Measure C, Lakeside will be required to educate nine grades of students with a budget that currently supports five teachers, resulting in two or three grade combination classes and a reduced educational quality. That is why Measure C is critical. With funds that cannot be taken away by the state, Measure C will preserve high-quality education that students deserve. Yes on Measure C Protect core academics in English, math and science for all students Provide a comprehensive middle school education with teachers who specialize in the subjects they teach Provide updated computer learning technology Maintain small classes Retain and attract qualified teachers Measure C is fiscally responsible All funds will support Lakeside students and cannot be taken away by the state or be used for administrators' salaries Citizen oversight and independent audits ensure funds are used wisely Exemption available for homeowners 65 and older Expires in 7 years and cannot be renewed without voter approval Our excellent Lakeside School keeps our community strong and protects local property values for all of us, even if we don't have kids in school. Please join parents, teachers and community leaders--vote YES on Measure C. /s/ Richard White,br> Small Business Owner /s/ Patricia A. Bjorlie Retired Lakeside School Teacher /s/ Karen C. Fishback Retiree /s/ Anne Plane Lakeside middle school parent /s/ Sarah Hitchcock-Glover Lakeside Community Resident

NO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE C WAS SUBMITTED

Full Text of Measure C

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE To protect high-quality core educational programs like English, math and science, provide a comprehensive education for middle school students including science and academic enrichment programs, provide updated computers and learning technology, protect small class sizes, and retain and attract qualified teachers, the Lakeside Joint School District (K-8) proposes to establish an education parcel tax for a period of 7 years, beginning July 1, 2010, at the rate of $311 per year, on each assessor's parcel located within the Lakeside Joint School District, with an exemption available for senior citizens and persons on Supplemental Security Income, and to implement accountability measures in connection with the temporary levy that are over and above those required by law, including the appointment of an independent citizen oversight committee to provide oversight and accountability to ensure the funds are used to: protect high-quality core educational programs like English, math and science; provide a comprehensive education for middle school students including science and academic enrichment programs; provide updated computers and learning technology; protect small class sizes; and retain and attract qualified teachers. AMOUNT OF EDUCATION PARCEL TAX; PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT The education parcel tax shall be $311 (or less as provided below) per year for seven (7) full years assessed against each parcel. The proceeds of the education parcel tax shall be deposited into a separate account created by the District. DEFINITION OF "PARCEL" For purposes of the special tax, the term "Parcel" means any parcel of land which lies wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Lakeside Joint School District, that receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem property taxes from the Santa Clara County Assessor/Tax Collector's office or the Santa Cruz County Assessor/Tax Collector. All property that is otherwise exempt from or upon which are levied no ad valorem property taxes in any year shall also be exempt from the education parcel tax in such year. EXEMPTION FOR CONTIGUOUS PARCELS For purposes of this special tax, any such "Parcels" which are (i) contiguous, (ii) used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes, and (iii) held under identical ownership may, by submitting an application of the owners thereof by June 15 of each year to the Board of Trustees of the Lakeside Joint School District be treated as a single "parcel" for purposes of the levy of this education parcel tax. EXEMPTION OF SENIORS AND SSI RECIPIENTS Pursuant to California Government Code Section 50079 (b), any owners of a Parcel used solely for owner-occupied, single-family residential purposes and who are either (a) 65 years of age or older or (b) persons receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age, may obtain an exemption from the education parcel tax by annually submitting an application, by June 15 of each year, to the Board of Trustees of the Lakeside Joint School District. With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the Santa Clara County and the Santa Cruz County Assessor/Tax Collector, respectively, or other appropriate County tax officials shall make all final determinations of tax exemption or relief for any reason, and that decision shall be final and binding. With respect to matters specific to the levy of the education parcel tax, including the Senior Citizen and SSI Exemptions and the classification of property for purposes of calculating the tax, the decisions of the District shall be final and binding. REDUCTION IN TAX IF RESULT IS LESS OTHER GOVERNMENT SUPPORT The collection of the education parcel tax is not intended to decrease or offset any increase in local, state or federal government sources that would otherwise be available to the Lakeside Joint School District during the period of the education parcel tax. In the event that the levy and collection does have such an effect, the Lakeside Joint School District shall cease the levy or shall reduce the education parcel tax to the extent that such action would restore the amount of the decrease or offset in other revenues. ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Sections 50075.1 and 50075.3, the following accountability measures, among others, shall apply to the education parcel tax levied in accordance with this Measure: (a) the specific purposes of the education parcel tax shall be those purposes identified above; (b) the proceeds of the education parcel tax shall be applied only to those specific purposes identified above; (c) a separate, special account shall be created into which the proceeds of the education parcel tax must be deposited; and (d) an annual written report shall be made to the Board of Trustees of the District showing (i) the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the education parcel tax and (ii) the status of any projects or programs required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the education parcel tax, as identified above. In addition to the accountability measures required by law, an independent citizen oversight committee shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees to advise the Board on the expenditures funded by the measure in order to ensure that said funds are spent for the purposes approved by the voters. The oversight committee will monitor the expenditures of these funds by the District and will report on an annual basis to the Board and community on how these funds have been spent.