Schools
Measure E Opponents Say the Schools Parcel Tax Proposal Will Fail
The organized opposition to Measure E has few advantages, save one: Tax measures need a two-thirds majority.
Opponents of Measure E, the school parcel tax proposal on the May 3 ballot, are heading into the final week with the belief that voters will not give the two-thirds majority needed to pass the tax.
The measure would add an additional $193 parcel tax on properties that are already assessed a $597 parcel tax approved by voters several years ago. The new proposed tax would bring $2.3 million more to the district each year for six years, according to Randall Kenyon, assistant superintendent of business services.
The parcel tax measure that is the sole subject of a special mail-in election for Los Altos School District residents, has had a small army of proponents manning phone banks and going door-to-door.
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The campaign against Measure E, in contrast, has been a quiet one in what is already a low-key, one-issue election. Besides the lawn signs that have popped up, opponents have relied on largely an online campaign, said said Ron Haley, leader of LASD Taxpayer for Reform and the campaign to vote “no” on Measure E.
Haley is still optimistic that the tax will not be approved.
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“We don’t think at this point the Measure will get its needed two-thirds vote,” he said.
Haley said the group is being supported by community members, parents at private schools, Bullis Charter School, as well as parents at the Los Altos School District, but not board members of administration at the school district.
“We’re making people aware that this is not only a $193 tax. It’ll make property owners pay $790 because of the existing tax,” Haley said, adding that the group is sending out emails and making phone calls around the community to urge support and “no” votes.
Tuesday was the recommended final day to mail ballots via U.S. Postal Service to ensure they arrive by May 3, but voters can also hand-deliver their ballots to any designated drop-off site up to Election Day. This includes Los Altos City Hall and Los Altos Hills Town Hall during business hours.
A full list of drop-off locations throughout the county can be found at the Santa Clara County Registrar's site.
