Publication Date: Friday, January 07, 2005
Board looks to public for guidance on parcel tax
Board looks to public for guidance on parcel tax
(January 07, 2005) Tax opponent vows to 'get back in the saddle' for another contest
by Alexandria Rocha
In the aftermath of last November's defeat at the polls, the Palo Alto school district was criticized for banking on a sure-win for its parcel tax proposal instead of educating the public.
With the possibility of another parcel tax coming to voters on June 7, the district's superintendent and members of its Board of Education are determined to not repeat that mistake.
At next week's board meeting, the public will be invited to comment on the possible measure. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the district's board room, 25 Churchill Ave.
It's "a chance for folks to come out and talk about it, and for the board to talk about it," said board President John Barton. "We want to be open and just talk about the needs as well as the approach."
Board member Cathy Kroymann said those who wish to participate will have three minutes to speak when their name is called.
With so much possibly riding on public input -- such as how much a parcel tax measure would seek and the timing of an election -- city watchdog Wayne Martin could be studying the meeting closely.
Martin, along with community leader Tom Ashton, ran a steadfast campaign against the November measure, which asked voters to increase the amount and longevity of a current parcel tax from $293 per year to $521 until 2013.
Martin's team of about a dozen accused the district of not educating the public on where the money would have gone. They also delivered anti-campaign packets to every doorstep in Palo Alto.
"What I would say in essence is, 'What part of no didn't they understand? Why are they asking for this money when they have yet to justify the need for it?" said Martin, who may speak at the Tuesday meeting.
As Martin primes himself for another crusade against the district -- "It's time to put our thinking cap back on and get back on the saddle," he said Wednesday -- the district is waiting for its supporters to come forward.
"There have been several parents that have been talking about this and saying they want to work on (a "yes" campaign)," Kroymann said. "We just had a lot of people in November who felt like it was going to pass and that their efforts could be used elsewhere. I don't think we'll have a shortage of workers this time."
Co-chairs of the last measure's support campaign, Julie Jerome and Don Way, do not plan to attend the meeting.
Depending on how the public conversation pans out Tuesday, Kroymann said the board could hear a recommendation for a parcel tax measure at its Jan. 25 meeting and then take action Feb. 8.
Based on previous conversations among board members, it's likely voters will see a special election ballot in June. However, the board has several options. Among them are an April or August mail-in ballot or a measure on this year's general election ballot in November.
Besides the timeline for an election, other hot issues with a second measure are how much it would cost voters and how long it would last.
"From my perspective, I think we have to recognize that we did hear from people in the community that (the last measure) was too much," Kroymann said. "I suspect it will be lowered slightly, but that remains to be seen."
Staff Writer Alexandria Rocha can be e-mailed at arocha@paweekly.com.
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