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Published February 12th, 2014
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Greenlight on Lafayette School District Parcel Tax
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| By Cathy Tyson |
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| From left: Lafayette school board members Nancy Wallace, Jean Follmer, David Gerson, Art Kapoor, Teresa Gerringer and Superintendent Rachel Zinn. Photo Cathy Tyson |
With a unanimous vote, Lafayette school board members approved putting a measure on the May 6 ballot to replace property tax measures that will sunset in 2015. Voters will be asked to make a decision on the $539 tax that would include an exemption for seniors, a cost of living adjustment and have no sunset date to continue to fund key academic programs for the district. Current voter approved measures J and B will expire in 2015, this new tax, if approved, will "continue to maintain programs that we have now," explained board president Teresa Gerringer.
"Loss of this funding would be devastating," said Rachel Zinn, school district superintendent, noting that the $4.6 million, or 15 percent of their budget, that is currently provided through parcel tax revenue is critical.
Discussion among school board members focused on the language of a cost of living adjustment for the measure. "Inflation happens," said board member David Gerson, explaining that it's hard to estimate if that will be 1 percent or 3 percent or 5 percent per year in the future.
Ultimately there was a consensus to have a cap on the cost of living adjustment, but still allow some flexibility that would benefit the public if there's a low rate of inflation; they agreed that the adjustment "shall not exceed 3 percent." If passed by two-thirds of voters, revenue raised will go to the five schools in the district: four elementary schools and Stanley Middle School.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA