About Measure A
Nothing is more critical to our nation’s
progress and prosperity than young minds developing the intellectual,
social, and psychological skills necessary for lifelong learning.
Community support for our schools
has helped Dixie School District win acclaim as one of the top-performing
districts, in the highest performing county, in California.
But the state budget disaster, on
top of chronic state under-funding, is threatening the District’s ability
to provide top-quality education. In the last two years, we have been
hit with $1000 per student state funding cuts.
Last November, our community rallied
behind a parcel tax increase to stabilize Dixie District’s funding.
We lost by only 47 votes. A large group of parents, seniors,
teachers and staff, and local business leaders urged our School Board
to try again with the ballot measure before you now, which:
·
Increases the current
parcel tax by $120 per year and automatically expires in eight years.
That’s the equivalent of an additional $2.30 per week.
·
Does not contain
annual cost-of-living increases, and allows seniors over 65 years of
age to apply for exemption.
The facts are simple and straightforward:
Dixie District cannot absorb any more cuts without directly affecting
the education each student receives. If Measure A fails, deeper
and more devastating cuts will be necessary. The District has already:
·
Eliminated six teaching
positions
·
Increased class sizes
·
Cut instructional
aide time by one-third
·
Cut funding for state
mandated physical education programs in our elementary schools
·
Cut custodial time
by one-half
·
Significantly reduced
the purchase of much-needed teaching materials.
In difficult times like these, our
children must be able to rely on their own community. The expense to us is low, but the benefits
for our children are immeasurable.
Please invest in our children’s future.
Vote YES on Measure A.
Gary Phillips, San Rafael City Councilman
Claire Snyder, President, Dixie Children’s
Fund
Lynne Pentis, President of One TL
Peter Martin, Retired Firefighter
Catherine Munson, President, Lucas
Valley Properties