Parcel Tax Hearing: SPUSD Wants to Hear Your Thoughts

Tracey Hutson December 14, 2012 at 01:05 am

I'm in favor of renewing the parcel tax...however... It's always very convenient for cities to tack special taxes on to property owners when they need additional money (not just So. Pas). Considering there is a high amount of renters in the city, would love to see a more equitable fix for gaining additional revenue for the schools rather than property owners continuing to pick up the slack. Additionally, I'd like to see some of the admn. staff cut FIRST before teachers and programs. After that, I'd like the District to SERIOUSLY take a look at the performance and effectiveness of teachers and educational staff when they make the next round of cuts. All too often a tenured teacher wins out over more effective teacher and that isn't always in the best interest of the students. I realize it's a dirty job and no one likes to make these hard decisions, but if you're going to keep coming after me for money, business as usual cannot continue.

Joanne Nuckols December 14, 2012 at 02:10 pm

Additionally, the District should look into some way to collect the equivalent amount of parcel tax for a single family house from those that don't live in town and who's children are attending school on intra district or other types of permits. It is not fair to South Pasadena property owners paying the parcel tax for their children and property values, and some not.
I'm sure the District will claim there aren't that many students here on permits, although many will beg to differ, but every little bit counts. My suggestion is that a strongly worded letter be sent to those out of South Pasadena parents urging a certain specified amount be sent to SPPF. SPPF will welcome the donation, no doubt.

John Dwaileebe December 20, 2012 at 04:36 pm

Without actually spending the taxes they took from the community. After reading the Districts First Interim Budget which they just released, it shows the district had an enormous 31 % reserve at the end of last fiscal year. 10 times the required 3 %. And if you work backwards you see that they have increased the end fund balance during each year of the parcel tax by 2 million each year. Exactly what they said they need to SPEND. Fyi as a well trained professional who has analyzed school budgets for years I will just say that Joel Shapiro has been on a campaign to misrepresent the district's financial situation since his tenure began. If you would like I can tell exactly which documents to request to see for yourself the obvious pattern to misinform the community.

John Dwaileebe December 20, 2012 at 04:40 pm

BTW I would vote for the Parcel Tax but not with the current administration at the helm. Threatening a community with massive cuts that are not nor have proven to be necessary is tantamount to coercion.

John Dwaileebe December 20, 2012 at 05:44 pm

In addition the community should know that since Mr. Shapiro has been here the district has spent millions on outside contractors to provide the accounting services that used to be done in house. I know because I have worked along side some of them. The district business office may not be able to crunch the numbers without expensive private sector accounting professionals but they have mastered the art of creating ominous misleading "Powerpoint Presentations"
Which they trot out with nauseating regularity in their tireless efforts to propagandize the community. Special thanks go to Bill Glasier for providing Joel a bully pulpit to consistently spin and misrepresent to a wonderful community that deserves better than this manipulative propagandist.