The Facts on Measure A

I don’t have students in Novato schools any longer, but I will still be voting ‘Yes’ on Measure A because protecting the quality of our schools is important for all of us.  Do I like to pay taxes?  Not really, but there is no question that Measure A is a reasonable and meaningful approach to making sure that Novato schools stay strong.   

A History of Locally Controlled Funding

Since first approved by Novato voters in 1992, parcel tax funding has been renewed by voters 3 times, in 1997, 2005 and most recently in 2009. Clearly, Novato has recognized the need and value of locally-controlled funding for a very long time. This funding has long been a major component of protecting a quality education.

Measure A

There is nothing new about Measure A, and it does not increase tax rates beyond what anyone is currently paying each year. Unlike most school districts in Marin there is no “cost of living adjustment” that will automatically raise the rate each year. What you see is what you’ve been getting for the last 5 years, and this will not increase for the duration of Measure A.

Maintaining Manageable Class Sizes

While class size ratios have increased slightly in certain grade levels, our schools are committed to keeping class sizes within an identified range that is ideal for student success. No class sizes have increased beyond this range, and Measure A funding plays a major role in protecting these important class ratios. Without the renewal of Measure A, keeping enough teachers on staff to maintain ideal class sizes would be a much greater challenge and class sizes would be jeopardized.  

Fiscal Responsibility

It is great that the state budget is improving, but new state funding doesn’t change the fact that since 2008 NUSD has suffered $50 million in cuts. NUSD had to weather those cuts – and for those with children in school, they had to weather those cuts.  Reliable local funding has been a huge part of avoiding damaging cuts that would sacrifice quality education. New funding formulas won’t make up for massive cuts over recent years, and our schools remain underfunded. Novato still has the lowest per pupil funding in Marin County. It is my understanding that this also will not change with new funding formulas.

The measure stipulates that an oversight committee of citizens will ensure that the tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes.  The District ensures that all parcel tax expenditures are reviewed by the committee, and takes special care to promote reports on these expenditures and reports by the oversight committee. These reports are open and available to the public. Visit www.NUSD.org and click “Parcel Tax Oversight Committee” on the right side of the page to review the reports.

Campaign Funding

The campaign for Measure A is 100% privately funded. The District is prohibited from dedicating any resources to passing the measure, and they have not done so. The campaign is being diligently worked by volunteers, who are engaged in phone banks, precinct walks, fundraising, gathering endorsements, sending out mailers, making presentations to local groups, distributing lawn signs, and doing all of the work that goes into a campaign.  They are doing this work because they understand how important Measure A is for our schools and for Novato.  Measure A is for the benefit of this town’s children, schools and community -  this is why I’m encouraging a ‘Yes’ vote on Measure A here today.