4,037 / 83.1% Yes votes ...... 819 / 16.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

A school district, following notice and public hearings, has the authority to levy special taxes upon approval by twothirds of the votes cast on the special tax proposal pursuant to Section 4 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and sections 50075-77, 50079, and 53722 et seq. of the California Government Code.

If two-thirds of the qualified electors voting on this measure vote for approval, a special tax will be imposed on each parcel of land within the District for a period of four years. The special tax rate would be based on the parcel size and its development. The rates per parcel are set forth in full in the measure printed in this voter pamphlet; parcels with single family dwellings would range from $418 to $710 annually. The tax will be collected by the Alameda County Treasurer-Tax collector at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are collected. The Board of Education annually may increase the rates by not more than five percent (5%) above the previous year's rates.

If approved, these tax funds could only be used by the District for the purposes set forth in the measure, which include preventing reductions in the current academic program, attracting and retaining qualified teachers, providing technology improvements and curriculum development, and maintaining student services in counseling and academic support.

If less than two-thirds of the qualified electors voting on this measure vote for approval, the measure will fail and the District will not be authorized to levy the special tax as proposed by this measure.

s/RICHARD E. WINNIE
County Counsel

Oakland Tribune

• School programs on the line in Piedmont parcel tax votes Leaders say Tuesday ballot measures are vital for district - June 2, 2005

• Parcel taxes on ballot in 3 cities next week Palo Alto, Alameda, Piedmont will vote on school funding - Tuesday, May 31, 2005

If Measures B and C are not approved, the schools will be forced to make drastic program cuts and layoff many outstanding teachers.

Measure "B" would replace and extend the current parcel taxes which expire next year, and does not change the current tax rates. However, it only provides for partial funding for existing programs and even with its passage, significant program cuts and layoffs will be necessary.

Measure "C" provides the additional funding required to maintain essential academic programs at current levels. Together, these measures do not expand the educational program but provide the minimum funding needed to maintain academic programs.

Existing parcel taxes provide approximately 21% of the school district's total budget. In recent years, parents and other supporters have dramatically increased the amount of private fundraising for the schools, contributing over $1.6 million last year or 7% of the total budget.

Additionally, the school district has made difficult budget cuts totaling a cumulative amount of $1.3 million over the past few years. Teachers and staff have agreed to limit cost-of-living adjustments to 1/2% per year and have accepted higher medical co-payments to help reduce health care costs.

Measure "C" is needed just to maintain existing programs. All money from BOTH Measures will stay in Piedmont and keep our local schools among the best in California. Both measures are necessary to fill the increasing budget gap caused by ongoing problems with state funding. Please vote Yes on Measures B and C.

s/RONNIE CAPLANE
President, Board of Education

s/WARD LINDENMAYER
Vice President, Board of Education

s/GRIER GRAFF
Member, Board of Education

s/CATHIE GLETTNER
Member, Board of Education

s/JUNE MONACH
Member, Board of Education

(No arguments against Measure C were submitted)

PURPOSE
To provide local revenue that cannot be taken by the State and to maintain the quality of Piedmont's public education that has benefited all students and citizens, shall the Piedmont Unified School District be authorized to levy a qualified special tax to:
a. Prevent reductions in the current academic program
b. Attract and retain highly qualified teachers and professional staff
c. Provide curriculum development and professional training
d. Provide services in technology for necessary upgrades and network improvements
e. Maintain student support such as counseling and academic support services

The Board of Education will fund all of the programs listed above, unless the Board of Education determines in any given year that changes in student population, fiscal constraints, or other changes in state or federal funding make doing so infeasible or inadvisable. In any event, the Board of Education will not fund any program or reduction other than those listed above from the proceeds of the special taxes.

The special tax would be in effect for a period of four (4) years, beginning July 1, 2006, at the rates shown below on each assessor's parcel located wholly or partly within the school district.

PROCEDURES

Each year as part of the annual budget adoption process, the Board of Education will determine the total amount of expenditures necessary to provide a superior educational program including the specialized services and programs enumerated above and deduct therefrom the projected revenue to be gathered from sources other than this special tax. The difference, if any, shall be the maximum amount of funds to be derived from the tax authorized by this measure for such year. If the necessary funds are such that the maximum rates set forth below are not needed, then the Board of Education shall reduce these rates proportionately so that only the necessary amount of funds are raised.

Prior to the levying of the special tax in any given year, the Board will conduct a public hearing on the matter. Notice of the time, date, and place of hearing shall be published pursuant to Government Code Section 6061 at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the District, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing. Following said hearing each year, the Board shall adopt a resolution establishing the amount of tax to be raised for that year and the rate per parcel, not to exceed the amounts enumerated below, including a maximum annual increase of five percent. Any tax levied shall become a lien upon the properties against which taxes are assessed and collectible as herein provided.

RATES

The special tax shall be assessed at the following rates:

Parcel with Single Family Dwelling

0-4,999 sq. ft. lot $418/parcel
5,000-9,999 sq. ft. lot $475/parcel
10,000-14,999 sq. ft. lot $542/parcel
15,000-19,999 sq. ft. lot $622/parcel
more than 20,000 sq. ft. lot $710/parcel

Parcel with Multi-Family Dwellings
Multi-family dwellings/unit, all lot sizes) $278/unit

Multiple Parcel Dwellings $457/dwelling

Commercial Property
0-10,000 sq. ft. lot $710/parcel
Commercial lots greater than 10,000 sq. ft. $1062/parcel

Undeveloped Parcel $212/parcel

The uses and sizes of all parcels shall be determined according to the records of the Alameda County Tax Assessor. For parcels divided by Tax Code Area lines, the payment for the portion of the parcel within the Piedmont Unified School District shall be the same as the above square footage rates.

The Board of Education annually may increase the rates by not more than five percent (5%) above the previous year's rates and shall round the resulting rates to the nearest full dollar amounts.

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 special taxes levied in accordance with this Measure: (a) the specific purposes of the special tax shall be those purposes identified above; (b) the proceeds of the special 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 special taxes must be deposited; and (d) an annual written report shall be made to the Board of Education of the District showing (i) the amount of funds collected and expended from the proceeds of the special taxes and (ii) the status of any projects or programs required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the special taxes, as identified above.

PROTECTION OF FUNDING

Current law forbids any decrease in State or Federal funding to the District because of the District's adoption of a parcel tax. However, if any such funds are reduced because of the adoption of this parcel tax, then the amount of the special taxes will be reduced annually as necessary in order to restore such State or Federal funding.