Schools
School Board to Vote on Parcel Tax Tonight
If the tax measure is approved and passed, it would raise $3 million a year for four years.
The New Haven Board of Education will vote tonight on whether or not the district should place a parcel tax measure on the June ballot.
Similar to last year's narrowly-defeated Measure B, the new tax — $180 per parcel — aims to generate $3 million a year for four years.
According to the meeting's agenda packet, the current ballot statement reads as follows:
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To support high-quality local elementary, middle and high school education to prepare students for college and careers with outstanding core academic programs in reading, writing, math and science and highly qualified teachers and classified staff, shall New Haven Unified School District authorize a school parcel tax of $180 per year, for four years, with citizen oversight, no funds for administrators’ salaries, an exemption available for seniors and the disabled, and all funds staying in our local schools.
A committee of parents, community members and district staff began planning the tax measure shortly after the previous measure's defeat, with the New Haven Board of Education voting in November to seek another special mail-in ballot election for May. However, a research group recommended the district place the measure on the June primary ballot instead.
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A survey conducted by the EMC Research Group last month also showed enough interest from registered voters for the district to continue pursuing the measure. According to a telephone poll of 300 registered voters in the district, 65 percent said they would support the tax.
According to the school district, there are about 33,250 voters in the New Haven district, which includes all of Union City and a portion of south Hayward.
The election will cost the district between $99,750 and $166,250, officials said.
Tonight's meeting will be held at its regular time at 7:30 p.m. at New Haven Unified School District office, located at 34200 Alvarado-Niles Rd.
Download the full meeting agenda here.
If approved, will you vote "Yes" or "No" in June? Take our poll and tell us why in the comments below.
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