Dublin’s School District Goes Back to the Well With Latest Parcel Tax Measure
Dublin’s school board recently took the first step towards levying an additional parcel tax on all homeowners in Dublin, CA. The latest parcel tax measure stems from the red ink-soaked operating budget of Dublin Unified School District (DUSD). The DUSD estimates that it will have a $2M deficit in 2010-2011 and a $5M deficit for 2011-2012. Dublin’s school board members have identified $1.5M of mostly one-time revenue enhancements and $3.5M in cuts that could be made for the 2010-2011 fiscal year and presumably for the 2011-2012 fiscal year as well. Most of the $3.5M in budget cuts would lower district compensation expense through fewer work days, teachers, and programs.
Rather than implementing all $3.5M of the budget cuts in anticipation of the expected $2M deficit in 2010-2011 and $5M deficit in 2011-2012, DUSD will likely only implement $500K of cuts in 2010-2011 and pray that voters will pass the parcel tax on the November 2010 ballot. In other words, the new parcel tax being proposed by DUSD and the Teachers Union would not be necessary, if Dublin’s school board implements the $3.5M of approved budget cuts in 2010-2011.
Instead, DUSD will place the blame entirely on the State and spend the $20K it cannot afford to on phone surveys to gauge support for a new tax and determine the amount most Dublin homeowners would be willing to pay. If approved, the latest levy would join the DUSD Measure C and Measure L taxes on most homeowners’ property tax statements. The Measure C and Measure L taxes cost homeowners roughly $500 per year, depending on each property’s assessed value. These taxes are on top of the standard property tax rate and various school and district requests for money.
In reference to the $20K expense for phone interviews, Board Member Jennifer Henry commented that “spending any amount of money out of the budget is difficult, but here you have to look at it as an investment.” Board Member John Ledahl echoed Henry’s statement when he said, “We would do a disservice by not finding this out.”
Current California state law requires a two-thirds majority to pass any local parcel tax measure. While this supermajority requirement may sound like a huge hurdle to overcome, DUSD will probably build in a senior citizen exemption for the parcel tax as it did with Measure L. Dublin’s senior citizens form a large voting bloc and would likely support a tax that it would not have to pay. In related news, the California state legislature will be attempting to weaken that supermajority requirement by placing a proposition on the November 2010 ballot to reduce the approval threshold to a 55% majority.
How much more are you willing to pay to bail out DUSD again?
12:28 AM on May 17th, 2010
i’m willing to give another $500 than to pay $15,000 a year per child in private school.
12:47 AM on May 17th, 2010
John-
Any idea or estimation on what the new parcel tax will cost if approved by voters?
Lucas
4:41 AM on May 17th, 2010
Hi Lucas – I think that the District will try to get as much as possible while securing the necessary two-thirds vote. Voters were okay with $96/year back in 2008…so maybe that’ll be the magic number this year, as well. The DUSD would probably like to be able to get at least $150/year per home to be able to bridge the gap between the $5M deficit in 2011-2012 and the $3.5M in available reductions.
Thx, John Z.
7:06 AM on May 17th, 2010
Back when they were rallying support for Measure C, DPIE had a very targeted and well orchestrated marketing strategy. They would pump out chatter on the West side about how the parcel tax would save Nielsen from shutting down and us on the East side about how the parcel tax would help finance a second high school on the East side. Many of us had our doubts, but we voted for Measure C anyway, because we wanted to believe and, frankly, were not as well informed as we are today.
John Z., out of curiosity, do you know how DUSD has been using the Measure L money they just asked for two years ago? Both Measure L and Measure C supposedly have oversight committees, so information about the money should be readily available. If not, that would speak volumes about both parcel taxes and the built-in oversight wouldn’t they?
I think if we are in a different district, one that is high performing, we’d be more willing to open up our collective purse, but unfortunately, we live in Dublin, and most of our schools pale in comparison to neighboring cities’. The way I look at it, I am paying a mello roos like my friends in Windemere, but unlike my friends in San Ramon, I can’t point to a high school like Dougherty Valley and say that is where my money is going.
On a somewhat related note, John Z., I thought you’d might like to know that I met a family while house hunting in Danville this past weekend. I don’t remember where they were coming from, but it’s not a city in the Tri-Valley. I told them we were coming from Dublin, and they said they had looked around in Dublin until they read online that Dublin High is not a good high school compared to other ones along the 680 corridor. I then asked them if they could tell me more specifically about what they had read. The wife said that she couldn’t remember the name of the website, but it was something about the UC admission rate. In fact, it was only after seeing that graph that they started thinking they needed to look at Danville. I knew many people follow your blog in Dublin, but I had no idea people outside are following it too.
7:35 AM on May 17th, 2010
Hi OD’ed on OD – you bring up a really good point about DPIE’s role in getting the Measure C and L taxes passed. They will be the mouthpiece for the DUSD this time around as well. My guess is that they will tell folks in west Dublin that the parcel tax needs to pass or else Murray Elementary school will be closed down. Then DPIE will probably tell folks in east Dublin that the parcel tax needs to pass if parents want the DUSD to open Kolb Elementary.
All the Measure L money is used for general purposes so there isn’t any way to know if it’s funding a specific program. With respect to the Measure L parcel tax, the DUSD has seemingly been looking to create an oversight committee. However, this search has been ongoing for over a year. I and at least one other person I know applied and interviewed to join the Measure L oversight committee.
http://www.dublin.k12.ca.us/vnews/display.v/ART/49a8344dcff82
The DUSD actually provided their approval for me and the other person that I know to sit on the committee…but to my knowledge, the committee hasn’t had any meetings.
Thx for the feedback on the Danville family. It is great to hear that folks outside Dublin use Around Dublin as a resource.
Thx, John Z.
8:38 PM on May 17th, 2010
As usual, this blog is slanted and misinforms its readers. First, the DUSD budget is not soaked in red ink. As a matter of fact, unlike surrounding districts, Dublin will not be letting go any permanent staff. In addition, the district is using the Measure L Funding in the current year to help support class size reduction and elementary science.
The board only agreed to see if the community is open to a short term parcel tax to hel pget us through the state budget issues and not impact our students. However, instead of reporting fact, John Z. prefers to try and divide the community against the Dublin Schools. It is quite a commentary on John’s motives.
9:44 PM on May 17th, 2010
Yes, shame on you John for shedding light on all the HANKE Panky business that goes on at the District and explaining things in terms that everyday people can understand.
DUSD should have just put the parcel tax on the June ballot instead of spending extra money it doesn’t have on some stupid phone survey that interrupts people’s dinners.
11:12 PM on May 17th, 2010
If the Board already identified $3.5M in cuts, they should implement these cuts as soon as possible. The fact that it has decided not to do so only goes to show how irresponsible it is with our money. I think what we are seeing here is simply a scaled down version of what is happening at the State level. Instead of exercising fiscal prudence, governments big and small are still spending like it’s 1999.
I think it’s funny how DUSD cronies are still choosing to attack John Z. on his website. Listen, Crony, calling out our failing administrators and the self-serving teachers union is NOT the same as attacking Dublin schools, because the administrators and the union bosses are not the schools. They are the reasons our schools are underperforming and overbudget.
7:33 AM on May 17th, 2010
They increased spending on fire/police by $1M and yet they’re coming after us again for a parcel tax? They must think the homeowners in Dublin are complete idiots.
9:46 AM on May 17th, 2010
We must demand that DUSD approve the Tassajara Prep charter before we approve any new taxes.
4:12 PM on May 17th, 2010
Cannot agree more
9:58 AM on May 17th, 2010
Measure C was for improvments and expansion of the high school Measure L was for improvements in building structures for all the DUSD schools.
You seem to have no problem taking money away from DUSD for your Charter School.
You are claiming red ink for DUSD.
San Ramon is 30 million in the Red for the 2010-2011. They are asking $800 per student from the parents to keep programs alive. They have increased class size to 25 per student. San Ramon also passed a Parcel Tax for schools last year.
Dont even get me started about Pleasanton. They asked for a parcel tax last year and it was rejected. They have used all their reserves in the general fund. They are in big trouble and I have heard in newspaper articles that they are close to $50 million in the red perhaps even up to 100 million.
DUSD has managed their money more wisely than the above schools.
11:20 AM on May 17th, 2010
This sucks… It seems like they will cut school funding or not have enough money for schools, unless we pay this extra tax.. but in the meantime, they are RAISING funding for law enforcement… As a parent I’m pissed off.. I’m worried that if we DON’T agree to the new tax, well then, our schools will suffer.. But of course I’m also tired of paying law enforcement so much for overtime and pensions,etc… It seems that the city is willing to let schools go into the dumpster in terms of funding, while increasing the funding for law enforcement…
11:31 AM on May 17th, 2010
Stupid and misinformed. An intentionally deadly combination that exemplifies the best of DUSD and DPIE.
“Measure C was for improvments and expansion of the high school Measure L was for improvements in building structures for all the DUSD schools.”
Wrong on both counts. Measure C was for infrastructure improvements, while Measure L was basically to cover the operational costs. Here is what the District has to say about Measure L:
“Measure L, passed by Dublin voters on November 4, 2008, authorizes the the District, upon approval of 2/3rds of the electorate, to levy qualified special taxes on property in the District for the purpose of providing quality educational programs in the District and other lawful purposes of the District.”
As for Measure C, it was supposed to be for all DUSD schools. DUSD actually was not going to spend any money on any DHS renovation until they were force to. I have a feeling DPIE will be using this blog to spread their lies and misinformation through anonymous commenters like me in an attempt to mislead voters. In many ways, this blog has made it easier for DUSD and DPIE to do their dirty work. John Z., if you want to defeat this parcel tax, I would monitor this thread closely. Keep up the good work.
12:19 PM on May 17th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – thank you for providing the clarifications on the purpose of Measures C and L. We need to ensure that folks know what they are truly voting for with this upcoming parcel tax.
Thx, John Z.
4:21 PM on May 17th, 2010
John Z., please keep us informed. If the money is going to be used for some critical programs (such as critical AP classes or SAT preps) specifically, I may drag my feet to vote for it. But we need people like you on the oversight committee to oversee the usage of the funding.
10:24 PM on May 17th, 2010
Unfortunately there is no way DUSD will let John Z. be on the oversight committee now. John Z. is not one of them. That is just how politics works in this town and says so much about how these oversight committees work doesn’t it?
1:54 PM on May 17th, 2010
Having read the link to the school districts potential budget cuts (at http://www.dublin.k12.ca.us/pages/uploaded_files/Board%20Approved%20Plan%20Budget%20Reductions%203-9-10.pdf), I am in agreement that the parcel tax does not do much to enhance the quality of the education in the K-3 and Middle School levels.
As a Dublin resident, I am not going to be supporting this parcel tax.
2:06 PM on May 17th, 2010
I just sent this email to Mayor Tim Sbranti – tim@timsbranti.net:
Hello Mayor Sbranti,
As a Dublin resident I am quite surprised to see that Dublin is still spending $1M more for police and fire services in 2010-2011 than the prior year. This is in a period where the Dublin school district is looking at a new parcel tax due to a estimated budget deficit of $2 million in 2010-2011. Why can’t we direct increases in spending to the DUSD rather than police and fire services? What is the increase in the police and fire services going towards? A $1 million increase is not justified in this economy and given the deficit that the DUSD is facing.
Thank you,
xxxx
Address: xxxx
4:23 PM on May 17th, 2010
As I understand, the budgets for the city and the school district are separated. The budget for the school district is not determined by the city council.
6:41 PM on May 17th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – that is absolutely correct. However, the City of Dublin has historically covered some expenses for the DUSD (e.g., compensation for groundskeepers and crosswalk security guards).
Thx, John Z.
6:52 PM on May 17th, 2010
Wow, I didn’t know that the City has already been bailing out DUSD by paying for all those services. Well, it is not surprising when you consider that the Mayor and the Vice Mayor are both employees of DUSD. In many ways, Hanke is both the Superintendent and the City Manager. I am changing my mind about this tax, because he deserves a pay raise.
2:30 PM on May 19th, 2010
I received the following reply from Mayor Tim Sbranti:
Thank you for your comments. I wanted to clarify the matter for you, as it appears as the assumption you have about increases in public safety spending are inaccurate.
It is true that Dublin ’s budgeted costs for Police and Fire in Fiscal Year 2009-2010 (not 2010-2011) were estimated to be approx $1.5 million more than the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 final expenditures. However, we worked hard to bring that figure down throughout the year, and we actually anticipate public safety cost savings in Fiscal Year 2009-2010 from our budgeted amount. This would make the true costs of public safety increases much lower than the $1.5 million estimate included in the City’s adopted 2009-2010 Budget.
The Fiscal Year 2010-2011 cost estimate are currently being reviewed, so I can’t give you an exact number at this time. Our staff hasn’t even determined the actual 2010-2011 numbers, and no member of the City Council or public have seen the actual figures because they are undetermined. However, based upon recent actions taken by the City Council and Alameda County, any cost increases will be minimal. In fact, when the final numbers come in, the true costs may be identical for 2010-2011 as 2009-2010, or there may actually be a decrease in actual public safety costs.
In terms of assisting the schools, the City’s budget already includes a number of items of both direct and indirect assistance. Given the City’s own financial challenges and cutbacks in many areas (including a 20% reduction in our workforce across every non-emergency department), it simply isn’t feasible for the City to transfer $1 million to the school district to help with their budget at this time.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Tim Sbranti
Mayor, City of Dublin
2:56 PM on May 17th, 2010
$1 million increase for Police and Fire Department, in a year most other departments have cutbacks… Wonder why Kevin Hart, our council member who happens to also be a Captain in the Sheriff’s department isn’t fighting that $1million increase!???
To me, it just seems to be a complete conflict of interest in having a local police or fire department member ALSO be on the city council that is supposed to vote on department issues….
3:22 PM on May 17th, 2010
How that voting works? I am not US citisen ( I am permanent resident) I live in Dublin and own a house. My kids go to Dublin schools; I pay property taxes.
Can i vote on those measures?
Thanks for any tips…
9:06 AM on May 18th, 2010
We got our absentee ballot last night. John Z., what is your take on some of the propositions? I usually vote ‘No’, so if there are ones I need to vote ‘Yes’ on let me know. Thanks.
6:16 PM on May 18th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – the only proposition that I voted “Yes” for was 2010′s Proposition 13. This would give property owners an incentive to seismically retrofit buildings that could be susceptible to damage from an earthquake. Here’s some background on 2010′s Prop 13 from Ballotpedia:
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_13,_Seismic_Retrofitting_%28June_2010%29
For the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I voted for Gloria Romero. I believe that Gloria will be able to lead the charge to reform California’s public education system.
Thx, John Z.
9:41 PM on May 18th, 2010
all of you keep complaining about your city and schools. may i ask what have you done for your city? you go to shell in pimlico instead of shell in hacienda crossing. you go to 99ranch in pleasanton instead of the one in dublin. you bring your money to draegers in danville rather than safeway in tassajara. then you complain the city doesn’t do anything for you.
where did “Don’t ask what your country can do for you. Ask instead what you can do for your country” go?
you are all selfish.
11:43 AM on May 19th, 2010
but it’s ok, I also use the pleasanton library instead of the dublin. so the math works out in the end.
9:12 AM on May 23rd, 2010
The bottom line is we need to see a large DECREASE across the board, especially a reduction in expenditures from the prior years’ spending for police/firefighter. While the rest of us have seen our property values plummet, 401k’s shrink, pay raises/ bonuses/benefits drop, and massive unemployment, these public service people are living the high life and parachuting into retirement with sweetheart pensions and benefits. Are they suffering any unemployment? Are they having their benefits slashed? Wake up, people. We’re all being raped by these unions. They need to tighten their belts and feel the pain along with the rest of us peasants. NO PARCEL TAX!
3:45 PM on May 17th, 2010
You, my friend, are what DPIE Director Janet Lockhard and Superintendent Stephen Hanke’s wet dreams are made of. You can’t vote, because you are not a citizen, but oh how you will pay. Good times…
3:50 PM on May 17th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – please hold off on using those kind of terms in the comments.
Thx, John Z.
5:33 PM on May 17th, 2010
But on next elections… (evil smile)