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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Measure B?
Measure B is a parcel tax measure on the ballot by the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education. Voting will be by mail, and ballots must be mailed or dropped off to the Contra Costa County Elections Office, 524 Main St.,Martinez, on or before June 8, 2004.
Why did the school board place the measure on the ballot?
The district's costs have risen while income has not, causing a shortfall in funds. In order to balance its budget, the school board voted March 8 to cut $16.5 million from its 2004-05 budget. (For the complete list of cuts see /Fiscal/cuts030804.pdf ) The cuts sparked an outpouring of concern from the community, prompting the school board to place the new measure on the ballot in hopes of saving critical programs.
How much money would Measure B raise for the school district?
Passage of Measure B would raise about $8 million a year for the school district.
What would the proceeds from Measure B be spent for?
The funds must be spent for:
- Restoring library services and athletic 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.
How will expenditure of Measure B funds be monitored?
Under terms of the measure, the funds must be spent on the items listed above. In addition, the measure calls for an annual independent financial audit which will be made public, including by posting on the district's website.
How much will Measure B cost property owners?
The annual parcel tax would be 7.2 cents per square foot of total building area on each parcel of taxable real property within the district. The annual cost for an unimproved parcel of taxable real property would be $7.20. The new measure would cost the average taxpayer about $85 a year.
Do seniors have to pay the tax?
No. Any single-family residential parcel or multi-family dwelling unit owned and occupied by one or more persons 65 or older would be exempted, upon annual application to the district for exemption.
How many years would the tax be collected?
The tax would be collected for five years.
How many votes will it take for the measure to pass?
Passage of Measure B requires a two-thirds (67 percent) vote.
What was the vote on Vote on Measure J?
Measure J received 62.5 percent of the vote.
Why did the board decide to put this measure on the ballot in June?
The board wanted to secure funds in time to save programs for the 2004-05 school year.
Why is it a mailed-ballot vote?
The state elections code establishes the June date as a mailed-ballot election.
Find out more about mail-in ballots
Why are donations still being made to the district even though this measure has been put on the ballot?
Even if the measure passes, which is not guaranteed, it will generate only about half of the $16.5 million cut from the district's budget for the coming school year. In addition, the cuts for the coming year are only the most recent in a string of cutbacks to our programs.
How much of the district's revenue comes from local sources now?
Three percent. (The statewide average is 7 percent)
Budget information
County Elections Department |
