March 29, 2010 --Advocates of Measure A, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) parcel tax, say it is the only reliable way to generate local education funding. But opponents say that is not the case. These opinions were featured in the recently released second set of ballot measure arguments.

The Rebuttal Arguments for and against Measure A will appear with the original Arguments, see article Funding Measure Aurguments Released (March 15, 2010), on the ballots, which will be released on April 26 in a mail-in election. Ballots for the $198-per-parcel tax must be returned by May 25.

“If only our opponents were right and the wave of a magic wand would change the way schools are funded, force Sacramento politicians to restore $10 million in cuts from each of the past two years and prevent millions of dollars in additional state funding cuts that are on the way,” the proponents wrote. “But it’s just not so.”

Those signing the argument were Paul Silvern, chair of the SMMUSD’s Financial Oversight Committee; Santa Monica College administrator Tricia Ramos; Pico Youth & Family Center Board Member Maria Loya, who is the wife of Board of Education member Oscar de la Torre; Malibu High School PTA President Wendy Sidley and Shari Davis, president of the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs.

Those signing the opposition argument included Pico Neighborhood residents Pierce Watson, Art Casillas and James McPherson. Others signing it were Scott Kelso, who is listed as a union member, and Clara Benrey, who is noted as a school teacher.

“Consultants, developers, business interests, attorneys and political insiders control the tax committees,” the opposition wrote. “They rigged the process to put A’s tax burden on you and protected their special interests.”

The opponents say the tax is unfair because it has the same cost for all parcels regardless of size. Proponents say this is the only kind of proposal that is legal, and to put a tax on the ballot based on square footage places it at risk of a legal challenge.

Also, the proponents dispute the allegation that the SMMUSD is mismanaged. They say the financial problems for the district are strictly due to the decrease in funding from the state, its largest contributor.

“Independent fiscal review by Standard & Poor’s confirms the (SMMUSD) is financially well-managed, earning one of the highest ratings of all of California school districts,” the proponents wrote.

The opponents say that if the District needs more money, it should go to the Cities of Malibu and Santa Monica to increase their contributions. In their argument, they list a number “skewed priorities” from the Santa Monica government.

Among them are the $3 million designated to a study on freeway capping (it comes from the Capital Improvement fund and could not be used to support the SMMUSD), paying for “tourist activities at the pier” and “allowing developer fees to fall short of adequately supporting education.”

Measure A would generate an estimated $5.7 million for the SMMUSD, which is facing a $14 million deficit for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The District has already announced the elimination of 75 teaching positions, including retirees who will not be replaced and those receiving layoffs. Some of those jobs could be saved with the approval of Measure A.

The tax has a five-year lifespan. It includes an exemption for homeowners 65 and older, although senior renters could still have to pay a portion of the tax if their landlords decide to charge them. The tax must receive approval from two-thirds of the electorate for passage. District residents already pay a $346 parcel tax, which was approved by voters without an expiration in 2008.

“Measure A, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) parcel tax, is the only reliable way to generate local education funding.”
     Advocates of  Measure A

“Consultants, developers, business interests, attorneys and political insiders control the tax committees, “They rigged the process to put A’s tax burden on you and protected their special interests.”
       Opponents of  Measure A