League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 3, 2009 Election
	Measure C Parcel Tax Santa Clara Unified School District 2/3 Approval Required Fail: 11,043 / 62.96% Yes votes ...... 6,498 / 37.04% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure C

The Santa Clara Unified School District is among the most fiscally responsible school districts in the state. The District has never asked for a parcel tax before, but because of extraordinary economic times and dramatic, ongoing cuts from Sacramento, our schools have no choice but to ask for community support now. We can continue to support academic excellence in our neighborhood schools by voting Yes on Measure C. * Measure C Benefits Neighborhood Schools and Keeps Class Sizes Small: Measure C maintains small class sizes in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. It also saves afterschool tutoring and guidance programs + because individual attention helps students achieve. * Measure C Keeps Funds Local: Cuts from Sacramento mean we must do everything we can to keep education money local. Measure C spending decisions are made by our community and involve local parents, teachers, principals, and local elected leaders. Sacramento bureaucrats have no say in how Measure C is spent. * Measure C Includes Tough Accountability Measures: An Oversight Committee will ensure money is spent as intended by conducting annual audits and guaranteeing no money goes to administrators' salaries. * Measure C Supports Strong Property Values: Good local public schools contribute to strong property values and safe neighborhoods. Measure C is an investment in our children, our property values, and our community. * Measure C Protects Seniors: Citizens 65 years or older are exempt from Measure C. At $138/parcel per year for five years, Measure C is an important way to invest in our neighborhood schools. Vote to keep education dollars local + Yes on Measure C. Please visit http://www.LocalSchoolsLocalFunds.com for more information. /s/ Tracy Pope President, United Teachers of Santa Clara /s/ Patricia C. Flot Board President, Santa Clara Unified School District /s/ Cory Sanfilippo Classified Employee/Resident/Community Volunteer /s/ Anna Strauss Middle & High School Parent/Community Volunteer (No arguments against Measure C were submitted)

Full Text of Measure C

To maintain academic excellence in neighborhood schools, retain qualified, experienced teachers, prepare students for college and careers, maintain small class sizes in kindergarten through third grade and provide after-school tutoring and guidance programs , with no funds for administrator salaries, shall the Santa Clara Unified School District authorize an annual $138 education parcel tax for five years, with mandatory audits, citizen oversight, an exemption for citizens 65 years and older, and funding remaining locally controlled for neighborhood schools? The purpose of the measure is to fund the following specific types of programs and services: ­ Maintain quality educational programs in literacy, math and science. ­ Provide academic resources at all grade levels and in all subject areas. ­ Maintain reduced class sizes in the primary grades. ­ Attract and retain qualified and experienced employees. Amount and Basis of Tax The parcel tax shall be $138 per Parcel of Taxable Real Property beginning in fiscal year 2010-2011 for a period of five years. The District shall provide the Santa Clara County Tax Collector a report indicating the parcel number and amount of tax for each Parcel of Taxable Real Property "Parcel of Taxable Real Property" is defined as any unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for ad valorem property taxes from the County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. All property that is otherwise exempt from or upon which no ad valorem property taxes are levied in any year shall also be exempt from the special tax in such year. Multiple parcels which are contiguous, under common ownership, and that constitute one economic unit, meaning that they have the same primary purpose as the principal parcel and are not separate and distinct properties that may be independently developed or sold, shall comprise a single Parcel of Taxable Real Property for purposes of the parcel tax. An exemption may be granted on any parcel owned by one or more persons aged 65 years or older who occupies said parcel as a principal residence, upon application for exemption. Claims / Exemption Procedures With respect to all general property tax matters within its jurisdiction, the Santa Clara County Tax Assessor or other appropriate County tax official 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 special tax, including the Senior Citizen Exemption, the decisions of the District shall be final and binding. The procedures described herein, and any additional procedures established by the Board shall be the exclusive claims procedure for claimants seeking an exemption, refund, reduction, or re-computation of the special tax. Whether any particular claim is to be resolved by the District or by the County shall be determined by the District, in coordination with the County as necessary. Appropriations Limit Pursuant to California Constitution article XIIIB and applicable laws, the appropriations limit for the District will be adjusted periodically by the aggregate sum collected by levy of this special tax. Accountability Measures The proceeds of the special tax shall be applied only to the specific purposes identified above. The proceeds of the special tax shall be deposited into a fund, which shall be kept separate and apart from other funds of the District. No later than January 1 of each year while the tax is in effect, the District shall prepare and file with the Board a report detailing the amount of funds collected and expended, and the status of any project authorized to be funded by this measure. In addition, an advisory committee of citizens shall be appointed or designated by the Board of Trustees to ensure that the special tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes, and to report annually to the Board of Trustees and the public regarding the expenditure of such funds. Severability The Board hereby declares, and the voters by approving this measure concur, that every section and part of this measure has independent value, and the Board and the voters would have adopted each provision hereof regardless of every other provision hereof. Upon approval of this measure by the voters, should any part of the measure or taxing formula be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid for any reason, all remaining parts of the measure or taxing formula hereof shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent allowed by law.