Weekly Poll: Parcel Tax for Dublin’s Schools
Based on the findings of a recent survey, the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) is considering a resolution to sponsor a November ballot measure to levy a 5-year $99/year parcel tax to fund Dublin school operations. The survey indicated that 70% of the respondents were in favor of a $99/year parcel tax and 71% of those individuals were in favor of having the parcel tax for a 5-year period. It is estimated that the $99/year parcel tax would raise roughly $1M/year to fund Dublin school operations. This would be a critical measure in bridging the DUSD’s operating budget gap.
The proposal for this ballot measure will be taken up during a July 15th DUSD Board of Trustees meeting. If approved by the DUSD Board of Trustees, the parcel tax measure will appear on the November ballot.
So what do you think? Are you in favor of a 5-year $99/year parcel tax?
10:45 AM on July 1st, 2008
Hi John,
Thank you for raising this provocative question. I have a few questions about this supposedly modest tax proposal:
1. What assurances are there from the Dublin Unified School District that this tax will expire after 5 years?
2. What is the DUSD doing today to make sure they don’t come back every few years for more money?
3. I live in East Dublin with no kids. Will the parcel tax be levied in West Dublin, where the DUSD claims the majority of the high school students are?
4. Doesn’t the school have money in the reserve? If not, I hope all of the school board members and the school administrators can explain to the residents of Dublin where the money went.
5. Is the July 15th meeting open to the public?
6. How much of the operational fund did the DUSD spend to conduct this survey?
Given the rising cost of fuel and food, this request for more money from the DUSD is a slap in the face of those of us who are on fixed income. I am making cuts in my life I never thought I would have to make, so the least the DUSD can do is implement some form of cost containment. Frankly I am very sick and tired of seeing those in government who preach against reckless consumer spending yet cannot practice fiscal constraint as they serve the public.
Thanks for bringing this parcel tax to our attention. I really appreciate what you have done for the community on this website of yours. I apologize for the tone of my comment. I hope you know none of my frustration is directed towards you.
10:41 PM on July 2nd, 2008
John,
My mother is a teacher in Dublin, and she mentioned that this is a joke. Before any money should ever be given to the schools she says there needs to be reform in the administration as so much money is wasted in her view. One of the biggest criticisms is with regards to curriculum.
I say that before we go and give more money we should make sure that it is being used wisely.
11:28 PM on July 3rd, 2008
Will the money be used towards POSSIBLY building a new high school in East Dublin patterned with the awesome Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon? If so, I support this 100%.
12:11 AM on July 4th, 2008
I will switch my vote to a ‘yes’ if the money can go toward a new high school in East Dublin, and I will campaign to get my neighbors to vote for the tax as well. With gas prices at an all-time-high, I’d rather my money go toward Dublin’s infrastructure than Chevron in San Ramon.
4:35 AM on July 4th, 2008
Hi Anonymous #2 and #3 – the proceeds from the parcel tax could not be used to build a new high school in East Dublin. From what I understand, they would only be used to pay for day-to-day operating expenses.
Thx, John Z.
5:26 PM on July 4th, 2008
Wow! very costly day-to-day operating expenses. are the local and surrounding big companies like sybase, taleo, chevron, oracle aware of the financial trouble our school district is facing? Perhaps they can offer more help than having the residents shoulder all the expenses. But…if this proposal includes a brand new high school in East Dublin, i will definitely support it.
8:29 PM on July 4th, 2008
Hi Anonymous #4 – that’s a great idea about asking local business to partner w/ the DUSD during these next few years.
The parcel tax would only be used to bridge the projected DUSD operating budget deficits for the next 5 years.
Hopefully, a member of the DUSD school board will provide more information about the proposed parcel tax on this comment string.
Thx, John Z.
12:02 PM on July 5th, 2008
While I understand the perspectives of my East Dublin neighbors
who have kindly commented on this very important issue, I can’t
help but remember that Measure C was sold to many of us in the
East as the final requirement for a new, more accessible high school
and many of our neighbors in the West as the lifeline necessary
to keep Nielsen Elementary School open. Although Measure C came
with an oversight committee
(http://www.dublin.k12.ca.us/vnews/display.v/ART/45ef054abb5f2),
it failed in its fiduciary duty to the voters when the
administrators and the school board decided not to honor their
promises. In the end, our neighbors in the West could not
keep Nielsen Elementary School, we in the East did not get the high
school we needed, and Dublin lost many families to Windemere in San
Ramon. Although I was quite disappointed, I honestly do not
harbor any hard feeling towards members of the school board,
the oversight committee, and the school administration
in their decision. I have no doubt they believe the way they
distributed the Measure C money is how Dublin would be best served.
I encourage my neighbors from the East and the West to accept what
happened and evaluate this bond measure on its own merit, and I hope
the school board and the administrators will provide voters with a
detailed proposal on how the money will be spent. As one
resident had noted, fuel and food cost are at an all-time high,
and the Governor has slashed our schools’ budget. The only way
we can get through these difficult times is by working together. If
the need to raise parcel tax is deemed legitimate upon public review,
I have no doubt voters will rally around the option to pay whatever
it takes.
4:42 PM on July 6th, 2008
i don’t see how this oversight committee can be considered “independent”, when mr. kevin hart, a current school board member, is also on it.
2:34 PM on July 17th, 2008
I moved to Dublin from a city that passed a ballot measure to increase porperty taxes on our home. This measure passed and then three years later another measure was voted on and it passed also. Then 5 years later another measure came on the ballot and it passed also. My taxes were increased each time. This can be a never ending process unless proper solutions can be found.
9:27 AM on September 9th, 2008
Official Argument in Favor on Measure L
Dublin Unified School District
Election Date: November 4, 2008
Parents, teachers and leaders throughout our community urge a YES vote on Measure L to preserve the quality of education in Dublin schools. Good schools protect property values, which is more important now than ever.
We are fortunate to live in a community with high performing schools. We have the highest graduation requirements in the Tri-Valley area. Over 95% of our students go on to college. Our success is due to exceptional teachers, innovative programs, and strong support from parents and the community.
But Dublin schools, like many in California, are facing funding challenges. Our schools rely on unstable state funding. Reductions in state education funding resulted in over $2 million in cuts to Dublin schools this year.
Measure L will provide stable, locally-controlled funding to support programs that enhance student achievement. Specifically, Measure L will:
* Support programs that help all students meet Dublin’s high graduation requirements and promote high academic achievement
* Provide science specialists at elementary schools so students have a strong foundation in science
* Supply up-to-date textbooks and instructional materials so every student receives a 21st century education
* Attract and retain excellent teachers
* Maintain small class sizes so teachers can work more closely with students
* Ensure our students sustain high academic achievement by providing ongoing teacher training in reading, math and technology
Measure L will be in effect for five years. The cost to homeowners is $8 per month. An exemption is available for seniors and people with disabilities.
Every penny will stay in Dublin. No money can be taken away by the State or used for administrator salaries.
An independent citizens’ oversight committee and mandatory annual audits will guarantee Measure L funds are spent properly.
Help Dublin students continue to excel.
Please vote YES on L.
9:58 AM on September 9th, 2008
Correction: The cost to home owners is $8.25 per month.
10:16 AM on September 9th, 2008
Hi Anonymous – the DUSD determined that it would be better to have a $96/year parcel tax on the ballot. Based on this, the proposed parcel tax was reduced from $99 to $96 (after this original post).
Thx, John Z.
9:45 PM on September 19th, 2008
To Anonymous on July 1, 2008 10:45 AM
You asked a series of questions about the Parcel Tax. Here are some answers:
1. What assurances are there from the Dublin Unified School District that this tax will expire after 5 years?
BY LAW THE PARCEL TAX WOULD HAVE TO COME BEFORE VOTERS IN FIVE YEARS.
2. What is the DUSD doing today to make sure they don’t come back every few years for more money?
YOU KNOW,WITH ALL THE STATE CUTS, PARENTS MAY HAVE TO DECIDE IF MORE MONEY IS NEEDED AT SOME POINT.
3. I live in East Dublin with no kids. Will the parcel tax be levied in West Dublin, where the DUSD claims the majority of the high school students are?
THE PARDCEL TAX WILL BE FOR EVERY PARCEL IN DUBLIN, EXCEPT SENIOR CITIZENS.
4. Doesn’t the school have money in the reserve? If not, I hope all of the school board members and the school administrators can explain to the residents of Dublin where the money went.
THE DISTRICT HAS A 4% RESERVE AND GIVEN THE PROSPECTS FOR EVEN MORE STATE CUTS NEXT YEAR, ITS A GOOD THING THEY HAVE IT.
Given the rising cost of fuel and food, this request for more money from the DUSD is a slap in the face of those of us who are on fixed income. I am making cuts in my life I never thought I would have to make, so the least the DUSD can do is implement some form of cost containment. Frankly I am very sick and tired of seeing those in government who preach against reckless consumer spending yet cannot practice fiscal constraint as they serve the public.
AS I SAID, SENIORS ARE EXEMPT. THE DISTRICT CUT $2M FROM THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR TO MEET STATE CUTS. LAYOFFS, CUT PROGRAMS, LARGER CLASS SIZES ARE JUST A FEW OF CUTS MADE.
Thanks for bringing this parcel tax to our attention. I really appreciate what you have done for the community on this website of yours. I apologize for the tone of my comment. I hope you know none of my frustration is directed towards you.
WHY DO PEOPLE INSTANTLY ASSUME THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS RUN BY UNCARING IDIOTS WITH NO TRAINING OR EDUCATION? SOME EVEN BELIEVE THERE ARE GREED OR POLITICAL REASONS FOR MOST DECISION MAKING. THAT IS A BUNCH OF CRAP. WOULDN’T IT BE NICE IF PEOPLE TRIED TO WORK WITH DISTRICT FOLKS TO CREATIVELY MAKE THINGS HAPPEN TOGETHER. I AM TIRED OF NAYSAYERS WHO DO NOTHING TO HELP BUT GRIPE ALL THE TIME.
11:13 PM on September 21st, 2008
The City of Dublin is able to live within its means, spend what it has, and maintain a reserve for those rainy days. Why can’t the Dublin Unified School District do the same?
2:29 PM on October 7th, 2008
Yes on parcel tax for the Eastern Dublin High School. $99 parcel tax is much cheaper than paying for gas and a car for our kids to drive across town daily for 4 years. No on L as long as there are no plans for an Easter H.S.