Letter: Support Measure A on June 3

To the editor:
I have spoken with several hundred Scotts Valley residents about Measure A. Everyone understands the need to replace the middle school, sooner rather than later. The two objections raised are that taxes are already too high and the state should pay for it.
Our taxes pay for a lot of public infrastructure and services. Some services we use, some we don’t. The taxes to be collected for Measure A will be used exclusively to benefit the children of this community and the teachers that serve them. My kids are now beyond the middle school, but that doesn’t make rebuilding it any less important. It’s an investment in my community, and in retaining strong property values. Our school buildings are shared assets, and I see Measure A as a shared investment.
The school district is positioning itself to receive matching funds from the state, with expectations for a state school construction bond in November 2014 or 2016 (there is significant pent up demand statewide for new school construction). In order to receive matching funds, we need to have our own funds in hand. So, our best hope for reducing our local tax burden is to impose this tax burden on ourselves. It’s crazy. But by understanding that, and passing Measure A, we take our best shot at getting the state to send more of our tax dollars back home.
Voters who support this project, and who want to move past this longstanding black eye in our local public infrastructure, must make the effort to vote YES on Measure A. It is not enough to just express your support. We need your vote. Let’s make this the last time we revisit this issue. Rebuild Scotts Valley Middle School. Vote “YES” on Measure A.
Michael Shulman
Scotts Valley School Board Trustee