Voters face decision on raising Portola Valley's school parcel tax Voters face decision on raising Portola Valley's school parcel tax (February 11, 2004)

** Two-thirds of voters must approve the measure for it to pass.

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

With only three weeks before the March 2 election, the campaign for the Portola Valley School District's $290 parcel-tax measure is picking up the pace.

Measure C on the ballot, would continue the current $195 parcel tax that expires June 30, 2004, and increase the amount by $95. It would raise approximately $675,645 annually to maintain and improve the quality of education in the district's two schools -- Ormondale (grades K-3) and Corte Madera (grades 4-8) for the next 10 years.

This election has a "win all" or "lose all" scenario for Portola Valley schools. The present $195 tax -- that has raised $450,645 a year for the past 10 years -- will expire June 30 unless voters approve Measure C. The $95 increase -- to offset rising costs and state budget cuts -- was folded into the new tax measure, increasing the total amount to $290 per parcel annually.

The district would lose approximately 8 percent of its $8 million budget if Measure C fails, said Tim Hanretty, the district's business manager.

Additional funding for core programs in science, reading, math and writing may be in jeopardy. Funds from the parcel tax would also be used to retain and attract quality teachers, keep small classes, and help offset budget cuts and increasing costs. Specific decisions on how the parcel-tax funds would be spent would be made by the school board.

Built into Measure C is a parcel-tax exemptions for property owners, age 65 and up, who reside on the property as their major residence. Seniors would have to apply for the exemption, but they wouldn't have to re-apply annually. A total of 145 seniors applied for an exemption from the present parcel tax.

"We need every 'yes' vote," said Denise Blocker, who is campaign co-chair with Janet Lorenzen. Two-thirds (66.67 percent) of voters must approve the measure for it to pass.

Longtime residents remember that the district's first parcel-tax measure in 1984 passed by only one vote after surviving a court challenge. Two voters, who lived outside the district boundaries, came forward and acknowledged that one had voted for the tax and the other had opposed it.

"We also need every one of the parents of kids in the schools to get out and vote," said Ms. Blocker. Only 25 percent of the 4,000 registered voters in the school district have children in the district schools.

Portola Valley's schools are recognized for the high quality of education offered to the district's 691 students. Both Ormondale and Corte Madera have been selected as California Distinguished Schools. Corte Madera won national recognition in 2002 as a "Blue Ribbon School," awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Volunteers, campaigning for Measure C, are staffing phone banks to contact voters and to get endorsements. A mailing has been sent to all voters, said the campaign co-chairs. Additional letters are being mailed to several groups: permanent absentee voters, senior citizens, parents and community supporters of the Portola Valley Schools Foundation, parents of preschoolers and students in private schools, and Woodside residents who live in the Portola Valley School District.

An informational meeting for the community, combined with an ice cream social, will be held on Tuesday, February 10, starting at 7 p.m. in the multi-use room at the Portola Valley Town Center, 765 Portola Road. There will be a presentation on the district schools, and school trustees will be on hand to answer questions.

The campaign is primarily a grass roots one with volunteers working to keep expenses down. The Portola Valley Schools Foundation has offered financial support for the Yes on Measure C Campaign. Some private individuals have stepped forward with campaign contributions.

There is no organized opposition to Measure C.

Submitting the ballot argument opposing the measure is the executive committee of the Libertarian Party of San Mateo County. This group has adopted the position opposing all tax measures on the March 2 ballot.

Signing the ballot argument supporting Measure C are: Ted Driscoll, Portola Valley town councilmember; Karen Shishino Jordan, trustee of the Portola Valley School District; Albert T. Schreck, former school board president; Ginny Kavanaugh, Realtor; and Martin Ramies, retired business owner of the Portola Valley Garage.

Residents signing the rebuttal to the Libertarian Party's argument against the measure are: Barry Blocker, chair of the Oak Hills Property Owners Association; Kathryn Reavis, past president of the Portola Valley School District board; Greg Munks, undersheriff for Santa Mateo County; Nancy S. Wilson, 45-year resident of Portola Valley, now living at The Sequoias; and Thomas J. Fogarty, owner of Fogarty Winery.

For more information or questions about the parcel tax, call campaign co-chairs Denise Blocker at 851-9546 or Janet Lorenzen at 851-5212; or district trustees Donna Carano at 851-2880 or Karen Jordan at 529-0345.

E-mail Marjorie Mader at mmader@AlmanacNews.com
INFORMATION

To find out more about the parcel-tax election to raise local funds for education programs in the Portola Valley School District, come to an information meeting/ice cream social on Tuesday, February 10, at 7 p.m. in the multi-use room at Portola Valley Town Center.

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