SR-010808-13D13-D
January 8, 2008
Council Meeting: January 8, 2008 Santa Monica, California
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE -MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: Mayor Katz and Mayor Pro Tem Bloom
Date: January 8, 2008
13-D: Request of Mayor Katz and Mayor pro Tem Bloom that the Santa Monica
City Council endorse Measure R - "The Campaign to Protect Quality
Schools" - on the February 5, 2008, ballot.
13-D
January 8, 2008
1
Ballot Meaure
Page 1 of I
The Santa 6~ionica-Malibu Schools Quality Education Funding Renewal Measure
Homepage
Ballot Measure To preserve quality schools despite inadequate state funding, and prevent program cuts; shall
Ballot Argument
. Fac[ Sheet the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District renew -without increasing -existing school
Slideshow parcel taxes, annually adjusted for inflation, with exemptions for homes owned and occupied
. Q and A by senior citizens, and annual audits reported to taxpayers by Independent Citizens Oversight
. Why Measure R?
Committee? Funds used to retain highly qualified teachers and reduced class size, protect
. Donate excellence in math, science, technology, arts, music, reading; sustain libraries. No funds used
. Volunteer
. Committee Members for administrator salaries.
Endorsements
Contact Us
RonicPmMVNo
Campaign fo Protect Duality Public Schools ~ Ves On RI FPPC #130738& ~ T'reasure[ ~Jebbie Mulvaray
http://www.yesonrforourschools.org/measure.html 1/2/2008
Ballot Argument in Favor
. Homepage
Ballot Measure
Ballot Argument
. Fact Sheet
Slideshow
® Q and A
Why Measure R?
~~1LLOT AR6~lJN/E1VT EN FA9®OR OF (~IEAa~t1F2E It
Our kids, our teachers, and our schools need you to vote Yes on Measure R.
Measure R preserves high quality education in our local schools -with. no. new taxes.
Great schools are part of what make Santa Monica and Malibu great places to live and help protect properly
values.
. Donate
Volunteer
. Committee Members
. Endorsements
v Contact Us
Register to Vote
But the State doesn't provide enough funding for the high-quality schools our students deserve and our
community expects. That's why Santa Monica and Malibu voters have approved additional school funding. That
local support will expire if it is not renewed now.
Measure R is not a new tax. It simply renews existing local funding our schools need.
VUthou( Measure R neighborhood schools face serous cuts Local schools would be forced to layoff more than
70 teachers. increase class sizes, and cut important education programs.
No other source of funding exists to prevent these cuts if Measure R fails.
Measure R includes strict taxpayer accountability:
Annual audits by Independent Citizens Oversight Committee will ensure funds are properly spent.
Every penny of Measure R spending will be tracked and reported annually to taxpayers.
No Measure R funds can be taken by the State.
No funds can be used for administrator salaries.
An exemption is available for senior homeowners.
Measure R will allow our schools to:
Retain excellent teachers.
Support reading and literacy instruction.
Protect smaller class sizes (20 students instead of 30 in Grades K-3).
Continue programs to improve student skills in math.
Page L oft
http://www.yesonrforourschools.org/bal lot.html 1/2/2008
Ballot Argument in Favor
Preserve science and technology insUUGiion.
Support elementary school libraries.
Keep music and art in our schools.
Renew cr't'ral localschool fund'no~yjthIlO.neNtlaxCg! Support our community, our kids antl our schools.
Please join us: VOTE YES ON MEASURE R.
Harry M. Keiley, President Amy Bishop, President
Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Assn. League of Women Voters orSanta Monica
Rebecca Kennedy, President Paul J. Silvern, Chair
Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council Financial Oversight Committee
Dr. Michael E. Gruning, Past Chair
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Campaign to Protect Quality Public Schools Ves On t2r p4'PC ;3930<386 'treasurer Dabble Mulvaney
Page 2 of 2
hup://www.yesonrforourschools.org/ballothtml 1/2/2008
Yes on R Committee
Page 1 of 1
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a Homepage
o Ballot Measure
o Ballot Argument
a Fact9heet
a Slideshow
QdndA
Why Measure R?
e Donate
® Volunteer
® Committee Members
o Endorsements
® Contact Us
o Rcnic4ar to Vnta
Measure RFactsheet -Color
Measure R Factsheet -Black & White
Measure R Spanish Factsheet -Color
Measure R Spanish Factsheet -Black & White
Backpack Safe Factsheet
Measure RFactsheet -Color Measure R Spanish Factsheet -Color
Measure RFactsheet -Black & White Measure R Spanish Factsheet -Black & White
Campaign to Protect C,uality Public Schools Yes 6n ft! FPPG ;x13023&6 Treasurer Uebbie Mulvaney
http://www.yesonrforourschools.org/factsheet/index.html 1/2/2008
Measure R Questions and Answers Page I of 3
A
~u~~timns and Ans~tr~rs Ab®ut N1~asus'~ R
. Homepage What is Measure R?
Ballot Measure
•. BalfotArgument
Fact Sheet Measure R is a local school funding renewal for Santa Monica-Malibu schools. We need it to
® Why Measure R? continue critical funding already in place for our schools. The funds Measure R will provide are
needed to protect and maintain high quality education in our local schools.
. Slideshow
D
t If the funding is already in place, why do we need to vote on Measure R?
• ona
e
® Volunteer
. Committee Members Santa Monica and Malibu voters approved local funding measures in the past, buf they are set to
• Endorsements expire soon, resulting in cutsto academic programs and teacher layoffs, unless we vote yes on
. Contact Us Measure R.
• Register to Vote
So Measure R will just renew existing local funding, without any new taxes?
Yes.
What will happen if we don't pass Measure R?
The qual~_gf our_schools will deteriorate signifcantly with cuts to:
• Reading and literacy instruction
• Class size reduction program that keep K-3 classes at 20 instead of 30 students
• Programs to improve student skills in math
• Science and technology instruction
• Elementary school librarians and school libraries
• Music and art classes
And, without Measure R, the district will be forced to lay off 70 teachers in a variety of grades and
http://www.yesonrforourschools.org/ganda.html 1 /2/2008
Measure R Questions and Answers Page 2 of 3
academic subject areas.
Doesn't the state pay for class size reduction and other academic programs?
State funds are woefully inadequate, and have been for the past three decades. In fact, California
ranks 34th in the nation in per-pupil funding. Our community understands that and as a result has
shown strong support for local funding to make up for the state's short-fall.
Who put Measure R on the ballot?
The Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education placed Measure R on the February 5, 2008 ballot
after extensive research by -- and the recommendation of -- a blue ribbon citizens committee
representing a broad spectrum of community members.
Who supports Measure R?
Abroad and diverse coalition of teachers, parents, senior citizens, civic organizations, business
and labor leaders, homeowners and renters, including the Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom
Teachers Association, the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council, the League of Women Voters of
Santa Monica, and many others who have joined together to protect the quality of schools.
Why are people without school children working to pass Measure R?
Great schools are part of what make Santa Monica and Malibu desirable places to live. Great
schools help protect property values and keep our community safe. But the State doesn't provide
enough funding for the high-quality schools our students deserve and our community expects.
That's why Santa Monica and Malibu voters have approved addiiional school funding. That local
support will expire if it is not renewed now with Measure R.
How much will Measure R cos4 property owners?
Measure R will continue the current property tax fee earmarked for schools of $346 per year (or
about 95 cents a day) to support Santa Monica-Malibu schools. This is the same amount that.
homeowners are currently paying to support our schools.
What about renters?
There will be no additional cost to renters when Measure R passes. Whatever they pay now is
what they will continue to pay. The average renter pays $3.50 a month.
Many senior citizens are on fixed incomes. Is there an exemption for them?
Yes. Senior citizens, age 65 and over, who own and occupy their homes, will be able to receive
http://www.yesonrforourschools.org/ganda.html 1 /2/2008
Measure R Questions and Answers
an exemption. In fact, with Measure R, seniors who are already taking an exemption from the
existing parcel tax can reduce their tax burden by an additional $121 per year. If you are
interested in more information about. requesting an exemption, please contact the Santa Monica-
Malibu Unified School District at (310) 450-8338, or click on the District's website at
www.smmusd.org, Senior Exemption.
How do I know that the parcel tax funds will be spent wisely?
Measure R requires annual audits by an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee to ensure
funds are properly spent. Every penny of Measure R spending will be tracked and reported
annually to taxpayers. No Measure R funds can be taken by the state and no funds can be used
for administrator salaries. All Measure R funds will stay here in our local Santa Monica and Malibu
schools to support vital educational programs.
Didn't we just pass a school funding measure?
The previous funding measure, Measure BB, approved by voters in November 2006, is a bond
which, by law, can only be used for facility construction, improvements and repairs. Funds from
Measure R are allowed to go directly into classrooms for programs and staffing, and will protect
funding for quality teachers and educational programs in our local elementary, middle and high
schools -and, remember, we are just renewing, not adding new taxes.
When is the election and what percent of voter support is needed to win?
February 5, 2008 - in the presidential primary election. Measure R.must attain a 2/3 majority of
those voting in order to pass.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
January 22, 2008. You can pick up a voter registration form in any post office or public library.
What can I do to help protect our schools?
Vote Yes on Measure R, at the end of your ballot.
Campaign to Protect Quality Public Sohools Yes On ft! FPPG ik1302386 Treasurer D®bbie Mulvaney
Page 3 of 3
http.//www.yesonrforourschools.org/ganda.html 1 /2/2008
Renewal of Local Education Funding
Page 1 of 1
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UV~ry ®i~i tFso ~o~rt9 of Educ~tior~ ~I~ce 9Me~sulr~ R on tho ballot?
^
^ Homepage
Ballot Measure Public education funding from the State of California has been inadequate and unpredictable for many years.
^ Ballot Argument Per-pupil spending in California schools has dropped nearly every year since 1978. California ranks34th out of
. Fact Sheep 50 states in per pupil funding, 48th nationwide in the number of K-12 students per teacher (i.e., among the
Slid
h highest ratios in the country), and last in the ratio of guidance counselors and librarians to students.
^ es
ow
^ Q and A
^ Why Measure R? Additional local funding approved by local voters over the years has enabled the Santa Monica-Malibu schools to
provide the higher quality education expected by our communities. In mid-2007, public opinion research found
D that quality schools remain a high priority for Santa Monica and Malibu voters.
^ onate
^ Volunteer
^ Committee Members Measure R, called The Santa Monica-Malibu School Quality Education Funding Renewal Measure, will renew
Endorsements and replace -without increasing -local funding from existing school taxes, annually adjusted for inflation, with
^ Contact Us exemptions for homes owned and occupied by senior citizens. Measure R requires annual audits conducted by
an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee and reported to taxpayers. To pass, Measure R requires a 2/3
Register to Vote super-majority of the Santa Monica and Malibu voters who vote on election day.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs and individual Santa Monica and Malibu school PTA's have voted to
support Measure R. As always during an election year, our PTA Council encourages all members of our
community to study the issues and be active participants in our democracy. Be sure that you are registered to
vote, or re-registered if you've recently moved. Vote either by absentee ballot or at the polls on February 5.
For more information, voter registration materials, and absentee ballot applications, please contact the Co-Chairs
of SMMUSD Council of PTA's Legislation Committee: Susan Giesberg (SGiesberg@verizon.net), Colleen
O'Beirne Brydon (OBrydon@aol.com), Laurie Yehia (LYehia@aol.com).
Campaign ±o Protect Quality Public Schcols Yes On R! FPPC #1302386 Treasurer Debbie Mulvaney
http://www.yesonrforourschools.org/whyR.html 1 /2/2008