Oak Park MAC recommends yes vote on parcel tax

By Billie Owens Acorn Staff Writer

A parcel tax to help Oak Park schools facing state budget cuts received unanimous support last week from the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), the community’s governing body.

The tax would be $197 per parcel for five years if approved by two-thirds of the voters on March 2. It would raise about $950,000 exclusively for Oak Park schools.

"They were glad to get it on the ballot," Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks said. "It was touch and go."

The MAC agreed to write a letter of support for the tax, known as Measure D4.

The average cost amounts to $6 per month per homeowner, supporters said. The community’s 700 apartments sit on three lots and therefore only three parcel taxes must be paid. The community’s 1,000 townhomes are assessed individually, however.

Oak Park’s 16 businesses would pay $197 each.

"I hate taxes, but $197 is an investment in the kids. It just makes sense," said Todd Haines, who was elected MAC chairman at the end of the nearly two-hour meeting.

Residents have until Feb. 19 to register to vote so they can be eligible to cast their ballot. Seniors in the community can vote on the tax but would be exempt from paying it.

The Oak Park Unified School District is facing a $1.4 million shortfall in its $24 million budget, so a gap will remain even if voters approve the tax. If California’s budget outlook becomes worse, the gap could widen. The district already has had to borrow against its state-mandated reserves, said Jan Iceland, president of the Oak Park Unified School Board.

Since no public facilities, funds, staff time or supplies can be used to boost awareness and support for the tax, Iceland requested the advisory council’s endorsement while speaking as a representative of the volunteer group Friends of Oak Park Schools, not as a school board member.

Volunteers for the tax campaign are sorely needed, she said.

"Measure D-4 will help us retain teachers," Iceland said. "Without it, we stand in danger of having to lay off 17 to 20 teachers, and that will raise class size."

The money would also be used to maintain arts and music education, she said, which are typically the first victims of state budget cutbacks.

David Chatfield, who was voted MAC vice-chairman, said the tax was also needed to maintain college preparatory and honors classes and textbooks.

He said even though Oak Park real estate has reportedly dipped slightly in value compared to neighboring communities, the school district remains a key attraction to potential homebuyers.

Ninety-eight percent of its students go on to college and all schools in the district rank in the top 10 percent statewide.

Said outgoing chairman Kent Behringer, "Oak Park schools have added thousands of dollars in value to homes."