Feb 12, 2004

Volunteers canvassing, phoning to pass Measure G

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

A group of volunteers spent last weekend getting the word out on the Measure G parcel tax for the Union School District in the Almaden and Cambrian areas. The measure, which will be on the March 2 ballot, allows for a $195-per-year parcel tax that will ensure that all eight elementary schools in the district remain open.
If the tax doesn’t pass, two schools will close this year and one in 2004-05 within days of the election. Recent parcel taxes for other nearby school districts garnered simple majorities, but were still under the two-thirds required to pass the measures.

The eight district schools include Alta Vista, Athenour, Carlton, Lietz, Lone Hill, Noddin, Oster and Guadalupe, which is in Almaden. The district already has cut $1 million in staff and programs but state funding cuts created an additional budget shortfall of over $2 million. Until the parcel tax was put on the ballot, the district was considering closing two to three schools and consolidating students into the remaining schools.

Additional concerns
However, there are additional concerns with that scenario. If USD closes three schools, parents question if the district will be able to lease them to private schools or businesses given the other districts that have consolidated and are trying to lease school property. Plus the consolidation plan will still leave a $1 million annual budget shortfall. Without passage of Measure G, there will be additional cuts in staff, programs and supplies along with the school closures.

The four-year parcel tax, which is not mandatory for homeowners over 65, will ensure schools stay open and eliminate severe cuts to the budget. The funds collected from homes and businesses can be spent only by the Union School District. The wording on the ballot includes an oversight committee made up of USD citizens, to oversee the funds and how they are spent.

Proponents claim that besides saving staff, programs and schools, the cost to parcel owners is 54 cents per day. The volunteers and the group’s literature alerts citizens to the fact that if schools close, property values may suffer.

In addition, the school consolidation would inevitably worsen traffic, one of the major issues in the Bay Area. If USD closes two schools, extra traffic and congestion may clog streets around the remaining schools and increase traffic problems.

Two-thirds or 67 percent needed
Recent parcel taxes for other districts garnered simple majorities, but still failed because the numbers were less than 66 percent of the vote or the two-thirds required to pass the measures. By canvassing to gather votes and following up with phone calls in addition to registering voters, the Yes on G volunteers hope to reach enough people to achieve the two-thirds majority they need.

Volunteers explain that passage will mean no staff, program, school or supply cuts, ensure shorter “commutes” to school, keep class sizes from growing 50 percent for younger students and avoid overcrowded cafeterias and libraries.

Last weekend, Guadalupe parent and Almaden team leader Jim Thylin took his kids, Allyson, Emileigh, and Chris, along with his niece and nephew Lauryn and Grant Mellberg, out to help him canvass and pass out yard signs. Lauryn and Grant are from San Ramon. The youngsters in their colorful clothing stood on corners in Almaden holding up “Yes on G” signs and receiving honks and friendly waves in return.

When canvassing nearby neighborhoods, the kids passed out the literature and signs. Thylin explained that each elementary school has a lead volunteer who is coordinating the canvassing, phone banks, coffees and stands to pass out literature. He said he would be working all weekend and probably most of the next few weeks. During the canvassing, the group uses voter registration lists to find people who aren’t registered, identify positive votes and talk with people who are undecided or who haven’t heard of the measure. Potential voters will be called and reminded to vote, he added.

“We’re trying to take back our schools. California used to have the top schools in the nation. Union is a good school district. We want to keep it that way. If we pass Measure G, all of the funds we collect will stay in our district. Politicians in Sacramento won’t be able to take it away from us. That’s not altogether true with some of our other taxes, and our schools are suffering,” Thylin said.

If you would like more information on Measure G or to volunteer your help, go to the Web site, www.yesong.org or call Byron Henderson, who is heading up the volunteer group at 398-6395.