In June, for the third time in less than two years, the Jefferson Union High School District will run a parcel tax past voters.
Residents within the district, which covers Pacifica, Daly City, Colma, Broadmoor and Brisbane will see Measure Y on June 5's ballot. It's a $48-per-parcel annual tax lasting four years with an exemption for seniors 65 years old and over.
Proponents of the tax, which have branded their campaign as "Yes on Measure Y - Protect Our High Schools", say the tax is necessary to preserve core programs at local high schools, including and , in the face of continuing cuts by the state to education funding.
"Since 2008, state funding for our high schools has been cut by $3.4 million annually," the campaign's website says. "Now, our schools may face another $1.5 million in cuts next year."
Yes on Y is emphasizing student preparedness for college in its campaign literature.
"To continue preparing our students for college and high paying jobs, our high schools—Jefferson, Oceana, Terra Nova, Westmoor and Thornton—need a stable source of funding," the website reads.
Another key component of the funds that could potentially be raised by Measure Y is that they would stay local and the state cannot take them away if it decides to go ahead with further cutting education funding.
The $48 amount is just half of what the district has asked voters to approve twice before, once in and .
The amount was lowered after extensive polling by the district's research and consulting firms, Godbe Research and TBWB Strategies. Supposedly, there is adequete support for the new, lower amount.
Adequete support means a two-thirds majority vote in support of the tax, a threshold JUHSD has been unable to reach the last two times it's tried.
So, will you support Measure Y in June? Take our poll and let us know in the comments.
