Election 2004: Voters OK Ravenswood tax Election 2004: Voters OK Ravenswood tax (March 10, 2004)

In the district's first parcel-tax election, voters in the Ravenswood school district March 2 approved a $98 parcel tax by more than the required two-thirds majority.

Ravenswood's Measure B gained support of 1,683 voters, or 74.7 percent of the votes cast. A total of 570 voters opposed the tax. The district has schools in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

Ravenswood's $98 parcel tax will generate about $600,000 annually for five years, depending upon the number of property owners, 65 and older, who file for senior tax exemptions, school officials said.

The funds will be used solely to retain and attract teachers, according to the ballot statement. The district's salary schedule for teachers is the second lowest in San Mateo County.

Floyd Gonella, former superintendent of San Mateo County schools, is the interim superintendent for Ravenswood, which has seven schools and four charter schools.

Ravenswood schools located in Menlo Park are: Belle Haven Elementary, grades K-8; James Flood Magnet School, K-8; Willow Oaks Elementary School, K-8; and the East Palo Alto Charter High School, grades 9 and 10.

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