Scotts Valley voters will have the chance in June to pass a parcel tax to help support the financially strapped local schools.
Following the results of a recent survey, district trustees decided to place a three-year parcel tax of $48 per parcel on the June 5 ballot. If passed, the money raised — about $300,000 — could be used only to retain core subjects: math, science, reading and writing, and keep away further class size increases at the lower grades.
None of the money could be used for facilities, administrator salaries, or even specialized programs like music or art.
Derek Timm, a district parent, is part of Save our Schools Scotts Valley, the group that will headline the campaign to pass the parcel tax.
“We’re fully behind the board and their decision to move forward with a $48 tax for three years,” Timm said. “We all wish there was more money, but we’re happy the community is willing to support the schools and do what they can.”
The group has launched a website, www.sossv.org, to educate voters on the reasons behind the proposed parcel tax.
Board trustees chose the $48 parcel tax after survey results from a recent poll of district voters by Gene Bregman and Assoc. The poll found that $48 was the highest amount that would likely pass with the needed two-thirds majority, even with the proposed exemption for seniors and the disabled.
“Me, personally, I wish we could have found the results that would have allowed us to go for a higher amount, but a win is a win,” Trustee Art Bubb said. “I’m glad we can go for something.”
A bleak financial picture
The Scotts Valley School District faces a deficit, whether or not the local parcel tax passes in June and a tax initiative proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown passes in November.
If approved by voters, Brown’s initiative would raise the state sales tax by $0.50 from 7.25 to 7.75 percent for four years and raise income tax on those who make more than $250,000 per year. The tax would raise $4.8 billion per year, according to state analysts. If the tax does not pass in November, Brown is calling for an immediate $5.4 billion in cuts — with most coming from public schools.
For Scotts Valley, there are several scenarios. The best case is that both Brown’s tax and the local parcel tax pass, said district Chief Business Official Vickie Clark. In that event, the district would face roughly a $200,000 deficit in 2013 budget.
If neither tax passes, Clark said, the district would face about $790,000 in cuts.
The local parcel tax would bring in about $300,000 per year for its three-year duration. There will be a public hearing at 9 a.m. March 9 in the Scotts Valley City Council Chambers, where trustees will consider the final draft of the parcel tax measure.
Strong academics continue
Timm touts Scotts Valley High School’s recent graduation rate as an indication that the schools are performing well.
“The schools have a 98 percent graduation rate,” Timm said. “They’re turning out good kids.”
Comparatively, the statewide graduation rate is about 80 percent over the past three years.
Bubb complimented the incredible job teachers are doing in the difficult economic climate.
According to the district, schools have begun to see the fiscal crisis of the past three years as the “new normal.” The district has budgeted cuts each year to remain fiscally solvent.
Budget hits have been felt at local schools in the recent years. At Vine Hill Elementary School, kindergarten-through-third-grade class sizes have increased from a 25-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio to an average of 29-to-1, with some classes having 30 or 31 students.
The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation paid for a part-time counselor at Vine Hill this year, and parents have footed the bill for many school supplies.
“… We have to rely more on donations,” Vine Hill Principal Michelle Stewart said. “We have to rely on parents to pick up the pieces.”
Maintenance is another concern. Scotts Valley used to have two maintenance people. Now there is just one for the district.
“We have two huge potholes in our parking lot,” Stewart said. “There is no money to fill them. If there was, there is still nobody to do it.”
Stewart noted that teachers, staff and parents still work very hard to maintain the standards at the school.
“We really do spend every penny that we get,” Stewart said. “The PTA does use every penny that comes in.”
She said the next round of major cuts would see on-site front-office staff reduced, as well as cut backs to custodians and additional support positions.
“I hope people will get on board with the parcel tax,” Stewart said. “It will keep us from the really deep cuts.”
At a glance
A full text of the proposed parcel tax is available at www.sossv.org.
