Schools

Poll: Are You in Favor of Another Parcel Tax?

The current parcel tax, which sunsets in June 2013, raises approximateley $1.9 million per year out of the district's annual budget of $32 million.

It's likely residents will be asked to renew a parcel tax in February 2013 that Superintendent Joel Shapiro says is needed to avoid "serious financial trouble." 

"Things are not looking like they are going to get better in terms of school funding," he told Patch.

The Measure S Parcel Tax, which sunsets in June 2013, raises approximateley $1.9 million per year out of the district's annual budget of $32 million. 

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under this 4-year special tax, households of a single dwelling parcel pay $288 annually while occupants of multi-unit properties are responsible for $95 per unit.

Click here to see exactly where your money went. 

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Shapiro says this money has helped the district maintain staff and reduce class size. 

"If we didn’t have that money, we would be running classes at 30 or more. It's enabled us to keep some of our arts teachers, counseling positions, librarians ..." 

Currently, there is language written into the parcel tax that limits classroom size to 20 students in grades K-3. On the other hand, the maximum number of students negotiated for grades 6-12 is 36, with that number falling to 34 next year and 32 the following.  

Click here to read more on how the state plans to fund public schools.

Special taxes require approval at an election by at least 2/3 of those voting on the measure.

So the question is, says Shapiro: "Will the public be willing to renew it? If so, what level, and ... for how many years?"


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