Measure “A” Passes with 79.4 % of Votes!!!
Thank you to all the members of our community who returned your ballot and voted YES on Measure A. Your vote, when combined with the other 16,250, helped preserve crucial funding for our schools and confirmed that our community believes a quality education is worth an investment, even during uncertain economic times.
A special thank you also to all of you who volunteered your time, donated your dollars, placed a lawn sign, wore a t-shirt, spent your evening at a phone bank, or simply encouraged your neighbors. This was truly a community-wide effort with almost 700 volunteers who worked hard to pass Measure A. This includes parents, teachers, students, businesses and PAUSD supporters from throughout the community.
It would not have happened without you. Many thanks for all of your individual and collective efforts for a resounding 79.4%.
Al, Anna and Tracy, Campaign Co-Chairs
Linda Baker, a parent with children at JLS Middle School and Nixon Elementary School sent in the following poem. Enjoy!
Did you send in your ballot yet?
Well, do it now, and don’t forget
That your vote counts, it’s really true,
‘Cause funds for kids comes down to you.
And when you’ve signed and sealed it well,
And sent it off, then please go tell
Five of your friends to send theirs too!
And send them now, because they’re due.
The county has to get them by
The fourth of May, and that is why
It should be mailed by April 30
Even if it’s smudged or dirty.
Measure A will pay for things
Our kids all need in school. It brings
The funds for teachers, programs, and
Will help our schools remain quite grand.
So vote right now, please don’t delay.
Mark it yes, send it today!
And when it’s in, our thanks are true.
Success for kids, because of you.
– Linda Baker
Ballots were sent out last week and EVERYONE, who is a registered voter, should have received it in the mail by now. If you have, please send in your YES on A ballot today (be sure to sign the envelope). If you have not, you can call the Registrar of Voters at (408) 299-8683 and request another ballot to be re-issued. You can also still register to vote, but today April 19th is the last day.
Palo Alto schools provide a world class education to local students and consistently rank among the best public schools in the State and the nation. However, like many other school districts throughout California, Palo Alto schools are facing deep and devastating cuts. The cuts result from state funding reductions, stagnating revenues from property taxes and growth in student enrollment for which our schools receive no additional funding. On top of these challenges, $9.4 million in stable local parcel tax revenue (that can’t be taken away by the State) is set to expire. Without renewing the parcel tax, extensive teacher layoffs and deep cuts to core instructional programs may be required.
On January 12, the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education voted to place a measure on the ballot this Spring to renew the parcel tax. If approved, Measure A will extend our existing parcel tax for six years and increase the rate by $96. The new total will become $589 per year.
Funds from Measure A will be used to:
- Preserve excellence in core academic programs such as reading, writing, math, and science
- Minimize class size increases in all grades and layoffs of dozens of teachers and school employees
- Continue teacher professional development by providing training programs and activities that support high quality teaching
- Help protect critical high school course offerings and electives, including art and music, that challenge students, allow students to be highly competitive for colleges and university admissions, provide career vocational education that prepares students for the workforce, and provide instructional support for those struggling with the basics
Measure A requires an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee to review the use of funds and report their findings to the public as long as the parcel tax is in place. Annual independent audits are required
Outstanding education and Palo Alto are synonymous – Measure A will continue our long tradition of supporting learning while ensuring our local kids and schools do not become the victims of the state budget crisis. Quality local schools help protect our property values, which is more important than ever.
This election will be different from past elections, as it will be a Mail-in Ballot. All registered voters will receive a ballot the week of April 5 and ballots are due on May 4th (postmarks don’t count). Please put your Ballot in the mail by April 30th to insure your vote counts.
