Residents support Oak Park school tax extension
Board of education also hopes new bond measure will float
By Sophia Fischer  sfischer@theacorn.com

The results of a survey conducted earlier this month by the Oak Park Unified School District show that a majority of residents would support a renewal of the D4 parcel tax that expires in 2008-09.

A survey of 300 people indicated overwhelming support for the $197 annual tax measure, said Paul Goodwin of Goodwin Simon Victoria Research in Culver City, which conducted the survey.

The five-year parcel tax that was passed by voters in March 2004 has generated nearly $1 million a year for Oak Park schools. The loss of the tax, when combined with the recently announced state government budget cuts and declining enrollment in the classroom, would require the district to make severe cuts in next year's budget, according to a report on the district's long-range financial conditions recently compiled by School Services of California. Additional cuts would be made in subsequent years.

"It's not that the sky is falling but that we need this measure to continue what's working well," Goodwin said.

Survey says

During the 15-minute phone survey, respondents were asked if they would support a renewal of D4. Approximately 80 percent indicated a willingness to support a renewal at the current rate. But 75 percent said they would not support any increase in the parcel tax.

Of those residents who have children in the district, 81 percent expressed support for the tax. For those without children, 61 percent were in support.

Survey results also indicated a lack of understanding about the main source of local school funding, according to Goodwin.

"It's fascinating to see that even something as important as school funding is not clear," he said.

When asked what are the most serious problems facing the district, 18 percent said declining enrollment, 14 percent said lack of funding, 8 percent indicated academic problems, 4 percent answered poor facilities or poor management, 3 percent said transfer students and 32 percent felt there were no major problems.

"Whatever the problem, it's not big enough to come to their attention. They're not tuned in," Goodwin said.

The responses also varied when it came to how long the tax should last.

A six-year sunset clause was supported by 77 percent of the respondents and a 12-year sunset clause was supported by 75 percent of the respondents.

According to 54 percent of those surveyed,Oak Park remains one of the best school districts in the state,

"I am delighted to see the survey results," board member Mary Rees said. "It's where we were hoping we would be."

Bond measure

The school board also is considering asking voters to approve a bond of about $20 million to $25 million.

Rees stressed that the bond would only maintain exisiting school facilities, not build new ones.

"A facility bond will really help, especially in light of the governor's new cuts," she said.

The bond is a sensitive topic for board members after two previous attempts in June and November 2006--each more than $70 million--failed to meet voter approval. Adding to the urgency is that if the bond is not on the ballot by November 2008, it could not be put before the voters again until 2010.

In the meantime, school infrastructure problems remain.

A study of the district's facilities completed by a property condition assessment firm indicated that $20 million in building repairs are needed over the next decade. Work is needed for roofs, fire alarms, paving, paint, and heating and air conditioning systems.

The problems become worse if left untouched, said Thomas Wulf, a district facilities committee member and father of two Brookside Elementary School students.

"Water leaks have a domino effect. When it gets into the walls it creates other problems," Wulf said. "My philosophy is an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure."

Adding to board members' concern is that an existing school bond, which passed in 1977, will bring an increased assessment on the next property tax bill. The bond carries a fluctuating rate that will increase this year to about $190 per $100,000 of assessed property value. But the rate will drop the following year to about $89 and continue to drop until it hits $50 by the 2017 payoff date.

Had the November 2006 bond measure passed it would have ended the fluctuating pattern and kept the current $135 rate through 2037.

When to vote?

The board of education faces a dilemma: Should the parcel tax be put to a vote at the same time the facilities bond is reintroduced, or should the two measures be decided on in different elections? Both are considered necessities--the parcel tax funds existing teacher salaries and programs; the bond funds facility repairs.

Board member Marie Panec believes the measures should be voted on together to give the public a better understanding of what the district needs.

But some board members and consultants felt the parcel tax should be on the June ballot and the bond on the November ballot.

"It's a very unique problem," said Jared Boigon, a San Francisco-based consultant. "I don't think they should be voted on at the same time. It's too hard to focus on two things."

The board will discuss when the bond measure and parcel tax should be voted on at a
7 p.m. meeting on Mon., Jan. 28 in room G-9 at Oak Park High School. Residents are encouraged to attend and give their input.