Parcel tax fails at Long Beach Unified

Nov. 4, 2009 | By Adolfo Guzman-Lopez | KPCC
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Voters in the boundaries of the Long Beach Unified School District on Tuesday rejected a parcel tax measure to fund public schools.

School district administrators placed the measure on the ballot a few months ago, urging voters to approve a $92 annual parcel tax for five years. Supporters said it would have generated about $12 million to compensate for state budget cuts. Fifty-six percent of voters said ‘no.’

Long Beach Unified school board member Jon Meyer expressed disappointment in the results. He said his side didn’t have enough time or money to convince voters. The school district, he said, may face class size increases and teacher layoffs in the coming year.

On the same night 74 percent of voters within Culver City Unified boundaries approved a $96 yearly parcel tax. Parcel taxes for schools tend to win in smaller, more affluent areas. Earlier this year, voters in San Marino, South Pasadena, and Palos Verdes also approved parcel taxes for their public schools.

This method of raising revenue may face a high-profile test next year. L.A. Unified administrators are moving forward with a parcel tax measure to help close a large budget gap they expect next year.

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