(November 3, 2009, updated w/ statement by Sup't Steinhauser) -- Voters in the LB Unified School District tonight (Nov. 3) soundly rejected a $92 per year parcel property tax, proposed by LBUSD management and put on the ballot by LB schoolboard members, framed as a way to preserve local award winning schools in the face of Sacramento-imposed funding cuts.
The measure required 2/3 voter approval...and failed to garner a simple majority.
Within two minutes of the polls closing, absentee ballots told the story: 42.3% yes, 57.7% no (at 8:02 p.m.)...and the results didn't change much when ballots from polling places were tabulated.
| MEASURE |
|
Votes |
Percent |
| T - EDUCATION PARCEL TAX - YES | | 13,823 | 43.11 |
| NO | | 18,238 | 56.89 |
2/3 voter approval needed to pass
| Registration |
245,877 |
| Precincts Reporting |
138 |
| Total Precincts |
138 |
| % Precincts Reporting |
100 |
In an emailed statement, LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser said:
"The voters have spoken, and we respect their decision. But the fact remains that we have a $90 million hole in our budget. We have some tough decisions ahead, but we'll find a way to balance our budget and give our students the best education possible with the resources we have."
The campaign in support of the measure included a mailer touting the endorsement of former Mayor Beverly O'Neill and former Governor George Deukmejian. LBUSD cited the school district's awards and accomplishments; said it had already implemented significant spending cuts...and warned of deeper cuts reaching classrooms if voters rejected the tax.
Opponents didn't contest the District's academic accomplishments but argued for changes in current spending practices.
The proposed parcel tax came barely a year after voters approved an LBUSD debt-bond...none of which can be used for classroom instruction or teacher salaries...visible in an assessment that boosted property tax bills which arrived just a few weeks ago.
From the moment the polls closed, LBReport.com provided live returns on our front page (www.lbreport.com) direct from the L.A. County Registrar/Recorder's office.
