Get Schooled on School District Ballot Measures 2020

By admin | January 3, 2020

As we mentioned in our last newsletter we will be continuing our series on the upcoming March 2020 ballot measures. This week we will be discussing Measures M, S, T, U, and V. 

 

Measure M- Aromas-San Juan Unified School District (55% vote)

  • reauthorize $4.2 million of Aromas-San Juan Unified School District’s bonds
  • previously approved by voters in 2010
  • finances construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities that are specified on a District-approved bond project list
  • projected yearly average levies less than $0.02 per $100 of assessed valuation through approximately 2031 (generating an average $455,000 dollars per year)

Measure S- San Lorenzo School Valley District Bond (55% vote)

  • authorizes the issuance of bonds in the amount of $75,000,000 to be financed by the levy of ad valorem taxes on property in the District
  • The ad valorem tax is calculated based on the current assessed value of each property
  • the School District provided the best estimate of the highest tax rate to be levied at approximately $60.00 per $100,000 of assessed property value per year
  • The School District anticipates that these bonds would generate approximately $4.3 million annually
  • The law requires the establishment of an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and the annual completion of Performance and Financial Audits.

Measure T- Santa Cruz High School Parcel Tax (⅔ vote): 

  • The school district proposes a parcel tax in the amount of $110 per parcel annually to take effect July 1, 2020
  • The School District anticipates this tax would raise $3.7 million annually
  • This parcel tax does not have an end date and would continue indefinitely until ended by voters.
  • Parcel taxes are paid equally by all property owners, regardless of the size or value of the property
  • The current measure would combine and replace two existing parcel taxes (June 2012 election, voters approved Measure I which authorized a parcel tax of $38 for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2021 and in the November 2015 election, voters approved Measure O which authorized a parcel tax of $72 for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024)
  • *If the measure passes certain property owners may apply with the School District to request an exemption from paying the parcel tax

Measure U- Santa Cruz Elementary School parcel tax (⅔ vote)

  • Essentially the language as Measure T
  • Proposes a parcel tax in the amount of $208 per parcel annually to take effect July 1, 2020. 
  • The School Districts anticipate this tax would raise $3.2 million annually
  • The current measure would combine and replace two existing parcel taxes( June 2012 election, voters approved Measure J, a parcel tax of $85, for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2021 and in the November 2015 election, voters approved two additional measures for a period of eight years, from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024)
  • This parcel tax does not have an end date and would continue indefinitely until ended by voters.
  • Parcel taxes are paid equally by all property owners, regardless of the size or value of the property
  • *If the measure passes certain property owners may apply with the School District to request an exemption from paying the parcel tax

Measure V- Soquel Elementary School District parcel tax (⅔ vote)

  • Proposes a parcel tax in the amount of $96 per parcel annually for a period of six years, beginning July 1, 2020
  • The School District anticipates this tax would raise $1,500,000 annually
  • The funds will be spent on: Salaries for teachers and support staff; Student enrichment programs; Instruction in the arts focusing on music; and/or “Hands-on” science in life labs and/or school gardens.
  • the School District will be required to publish an annual report describing the amount of taxes collected and expended as well as the status of any projects funded by these proceeds
  • proposed measure also includes the creation of an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee comprised of parents and community members.
  • *If the measure passes certain property owners may apply with the School District to request an exemption from paying the parcel tax

To learn more information about these ballot measures you can visit the county website here

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