The proposal, most simply put, is to continue the $44.50 tax per $100,000 of assessed value for Palo Alto homes and businesses, the amount approved by the 1995 "Building for Excellence" (B4E) measure. The continuation would be until the district collects $378 million, likely by 2042, according to district projections. They funds would be applied to upgrading school facilities and some technology items, such as computers.
The measure needs at least 55 percent approval by district voters, and surveys are positive about its chances of approval. But overconfidence can be dangerous, and State Sen. Joe Simitian has urged people to push hard for approval in every way possible.
We are blessed already with one of the best districts anywhere, with Palo Alto students scoring among the highest in the nation in tests, as well as having creative teachers and programs to augment the basics with enrichment challenges.
Now it's time to renew our community commitment to the future of our schools — both the physical facilities and the quality of education that goes on within them.
A recent survey showed that parents desire the highest quality teachers and programs for their students, the children of our community. That is almost a universal wish of all parents, and in Palo Alto we have had a history of superior teaching and programs.
But as our school buildings begin to show their age in terms of both appearance and deteriorating or inefficient infrastructure, it will be increasingly difficult to attract the very best teachers when other districts offer spiffy, up-to-date facilities.
If you were a highly qualified, sought-after teacher with several job offers from which to choose, would you choose to teach in an shabby-looking old school or portable structure versus a permanent, attractive school wing with current technology and energy-efficient systems?
That may seem like a no-brainer question, but it could be a future scenario without the funds from Measure A. Without quality facilities we simply won't attract the highest-quality teachers, the bedrock of a quality education.
The impartial analysis by the Santa Clara County Counsel's office specifies the uses to which the funds may and may not be used. Those include "construction of classroom buildings to accommodate growth; replacement of temporary classrooms; improvement or provision of security systems; upgrades to technology, climate control systems, and to buildings to bring them into compliance with codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act; modernization of libraries, renovation of gymnasiums; repairs to parking lots; removal of hazardous materials; refinish building exteriors; and repairing plumbing, piping and drainage systems." A new gymnasium and pool would be built at Gunn High School.
Proceeds will not be used for teacher and administrative salaries, unless directly related to the bonds.
District officials have stated that they will stay within the $44.50 limit by spacing issuance or reducing the amount of specific bond issues.
Opposition to the measure has emerged in the from of a small group under the stimulus of Wayne Martin, who has opposed earlier school and city funding measures. His Web site, www.PaloAltansforCommonSense.org, lists a plethora of reasons to vote against the measure. Martin and a small group of opponents maintain that the projects listed are too vague to meet the terms of state law.
But district financial officials respond that many of Martin's projections don't reflect reality, and said some are based on market value of homes rather than on the much lower assessed valuations. They also state that an extensive list of projects (Exhibit A to Measure A's full text in the official sample ballot and voter-information pamphlet) is adequate under state law, while providing flexibility in timing and priorities.
We are confident that district voters will see the real need and will vote for this well-crafted, critically important measure to assure that our schools will continue to be the best they can be.
WE URGE A "YES" VOTE ON MEASURE A.
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