News from the West Contra Costa Unified School District
1108 Bissell Avenue * Richmond, CA * 94801-3135

West Contra Costa moves forward with parcel tax for March 2 vote

At their December 1 special board meeting and public hearing, West Contra Costa Unified School District trustees unanimously approved a parcel tax for the March 2, 2004 ballot. If passed, the measure would raise approximately $7.5 million in revenues. The measure requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

As written in the ballot language, the purpose of the parcel tax is " to improve the quality of education in the District by supporting the following programs:

•  Maintaining reduced class sizes for kindergarten through third grade,

•  Purchasing textbooks and teaching materials,

•  Attracting and retaining qualified teachers, aides and counselors,

•  Enhancing core subjects including reading, writing, mathematics and science, and

•  Improving custodial service to keep bathrooms and other facilities clean and in good condition. "

The tax would be assessed at 6.8 cents per square foot on all total building area for each parcel in the district. Citizens aged 65 and older would be able to apply for an annual exemption on a single-family residential parcel or multi-family dwelling unit if it serves as their principal residence.

The measure requires the district to establish a separate account for the tax and provide for an annual independent audit. The measure also requires that the audit be made accessible to the public by various means, including by posting the report on the district's web site.