Parcel Tax Increase Up for Vote in Larkspur-Corte Madera School District

By Bay City News Service:

Voters in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District are voting by mail on an increase to an existing parcel tax for three schools in the district.

Measure A will add $185 to the existing $494 annual parcel tax that was approved in November 2009.

The $679 parcel tax for eight years, if approved by two-thirds of the voters, takes effect July 1, 2016. It's estimated the tax will raise $3 million a year in annual funding based on the amount of the tax for the 2016-2017 tax year and 4,400 taxable parcels in the district.

The tax revenue will support math, science, reading and writing programs, maintaining small class sizes and attracting highly qualified teachers at the Neil Cummins Elementary School, the Cove School and the Hall Middle School.

Measure A provides for annual 5 percent inflation adjustments after the first year and exemptions for seniors who are age 65 before July 1 of a tax year and those receiving supplemental income or benefits for a disability. Voters in the school district approved locally-controlled educational funding that can't be taken by the state in 1988 and renewed it in 1993, 1999, 2005 and 2009.

The locally controlled funding now comprises 17 percent of the school budget.

The mailed-in ballots must be postmarked on or before May 3. A secure ballot box will be at the main entrance of Marin County Civic Center on Peter Behr Drive between April 25 and May 3. Voters may also cast ballots at the Main County Elections Department at the Civic Center.

(Image via Shutterstock)