LARKSPUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
Resolution No. 2002/03-09

PARCEL TAX ELECTION

WHEREAS, the California State Legislature has failed to provide adequate funding for schools, and as a result of this lack of financial support and without the funds provided by the current special assessment, the Larkspur School District would be forced to reduce or eliminate important instructional programs beneficial and necessary to the children who attend the schools of the District; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s proposed reductions in State funding would result in further substantial reductions in basic instructional program delivery; and

WHEREAS, the voters in the district have consistently supported the District’s quality educational program with approval of parcel taxes and school bonds; and

WHEREAS, a reliance solely on State funding will result in loss of critical programs; and

WHEREAS, the District, in the current school year, has engaged in a variety of efforts to balance the budget by cutting personnel, reducing supply budgets and eliminating all spending not essential to classroom learning; and to generate funds for the educational program, including lobbying in the State Legislature and supporting local fundraising efforts; and

WHEREAS, a thorough and developed public education program delivers many long-lasting benefits and advantages to all of the residents of our community; and a high quality school system favorably impacts property values which are vital to the overall well-being of the entire District; and

WHEREAS, the Larkspur School District is committed to the highest standards of fiscal accountability for which it has been publicly praised by the County Superintendent of Schools; and

WHEREAS, Section 4 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and Government Code Sections 50075, 50077, 50779 and 53720 et seq., authorize school districts to levy a special assessment for the purpose of providing funds to run the schools of the District upon approval by two-thirds of the votes cast; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the governing board of the Larkspur School District conduct a special election on June 3, 2003, at which time will be submitted to the qualified voters of the Larkspur School District a measure to authorize a special assessment for the purpose of preserving and continuing vital core academic programs critical to the education of the students of the Larkspur School District; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Larkspur School District Board of Trustees as follows:

Section 1: A special election is hereby called to be held within the boundaries of the Larkspur School District, to submit to the qualified voters, the following measure, to wit:

MEASURE _____

To partially offset the impact of the Governor’s proposed reductions in State funding, facilitate student learning in core academic subjects, and continue to provide a quality education for the entire student population, shall the Larkspur School District supplement its existing assessment, on a temporary basis, at the rate of $75.00 per year, for a period of two years, beginning on July 1, 2003, with specific exemptions for property owners age 65 or older?

The special assessment will be imposed for a period of 2 years, beginning July 1, 2003, at the rate of $75.00 per assessor’s parcel, which in tax year 2003/04 would increase the existing authorized assessment of $237.00 per assessor’s parcel, which increases 5% annually, by $75.00, with an exemption for any beneficial owner of a parcel who has attained the age of 65 on or before May 1 of any assessment year and who uses that parcel as his or her principal place of residence, and continue senior exemptions granted during the term of the current special assessment. Any one application from a qualified applicant will provide an exemption for the parcel for the remaining term of the assessment so long as such applicant continues to use the parcel as his or her principal residence.

The Parcel Assessment currently in effect has supported the following items. In response to the Governor’s proposed budget reductions to education, the District is seeking a supplemental assessment to maintain these programs. The District will utilize to the greatest extent possible, the proceeds of this special assessment for the following:

Science: Maintain hands-on science instructional program for grades 3-5.

Language Arts: Maintain reading support for struggling elementary school students.

School Libraries: Maintain library services to support the development of technology based library research skills and the study of literature at all grade levels.

Music: Maintain a District-wide music program with vocal music in the elementary grades and instrumental music available from grade 5.

Computer Education: Maintain an integrated technology program.

Counseling: Maintain counseling services.

Motor Skills: Maintain an elementary motor skills program.

Section 2. The text of the measure as displayed on each individual ballot shall be abbreviated and shall read as follows:

LARKSPUR SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

To partially offset the impact of the Governor’s proposed reductions in State funding, facilitate student learning in core academic subjects, and continue to provide a quality education for the entire student population, shall the Larkspur School District supplement its existing assessment, on a temporary basis, at the rate of $75.00 per year, for a period of two years, beginning on July 1, 2003, with specific exemptions for property owners age 65 or older?

Section 3. Commencing on July 1, 2003, the special tax collected annually on all assessor’s parcels at the rate specified above, shall be collected and administered in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are fixed and collected under provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Section 4. The Superintendent of Schools of Marin County is hereby requested to call an election of the special assessment to be held on June 3, 2003. The County Clerk is hereby requested and authorized to: 1) set forth on all sample ballots relating to this election to be mailed to the qualified electors of the Larkspur School District the measure; and 2) to provide absent voter ballots for the special assessment election for use by qualified electors of the Larkspur School District who are entitled thereto in the manner provided by law.

Section 5. If any section, subsection, phrase or clause of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution. This governing board declares that it would have adopted this resolution and each section, subsection, phrase or clause thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, phrases or clauses shall be declared invalid.

Section 6. The Clerk of the Larkspur School District governing board is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the due adoption of this resolution and to transmit a copy hereof so certified to the Marin County Superintendent of Schools and the Marin County Board of Supervisors and to file a copy hereof so certified with the County Clerk of Marin County.

The foregoing resolution was moved by board member ____________________, and adopted on roll call on March 5, 2003, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent/Not Voting:

WHEREUPON, the President declared the foregoing resolution duly adopted and

I, MICHAEL FUTTERMAN, Clerk to the Board of Trustees, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of the LARKSPUR SCHOOL DISTRICT at their special meeting of March 5, 2003 which resolution is on file in the office of the Board.