GILROY
– Santa Clara County leaders voted to support a bill that would
authorize a first-of-its-kind parcel tax to raise millions of
dollars for local schools.
GILROY – Santa Clara County leaders voted to support a bill that would authorize a first-of-its-kind parcel tax to raise millions of dollars for local schools.
Tuesday, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors endorsed urgency legislation, Senate Bill 592, that would let either the county or county board of education put the $195 annual parcel tax on the November ballot.
Supervisors delayed their endorsement during a June 8 meeting. They will wait until August before voting on whether to put the parcel tax on the ballot later this year.
“Just because we’re doing this doesn’t mean we’re going to support putting it on the ballot,” said Don Gage, District 1 county supervisor. “I’m thinking that it’s the wrong time to do it.”
The tax would be levied on home and business owners for the next eight years and would raise $77 million annually for schools countywide.
At least 90 percent of local funds raised would stay in local districts. Gilroy School District coffers could increase their $67 million operating budget by more than $2 million annually.
“People have been stressed and they have been paying and paying and paying,” Gage said. “There’s going to be numerous items on the November ballot that are going to be asking the public for money.”
Ninety percent of the tax would be used for two main purposes: to fund teacher stipends in all county school districts and to improve students’ reading scores. Eight percent would go to low-performing students and no more than 2 percent for overhead.
Even if voters in one school district do not approve it by a two-thirds majority, as long as the countywide vote is a two-thirds majority, the tax will be levied on all taxpayers, with the exception of senior citizens. All school districts in the county would receive money from the tax.
“I’m going to reserve the right to look at this thing and talk to my constituents and find out whether or not people think it’s worthwhile,” Gage said.
Even if he does not support the tax come August, Gage said, it may still be put to voters to “let the folks decide whether they want it or not – they’re the ones being taxed.”
The bill must pass by two-thirds in both the Senate and Assembly and be signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Lori Stuenkel covers education for The Dispatch. She can be reached at 847-7158 or ls*******@***********tc.com.
