School Board Discusses Parcel Tax Uses

The Board Wednesday celebrated the voter-approved parcel tax and discussed the possible uses for the 5-year measure.

The campaign to approve Measure W, which the required two-thirds approval with 69 percent, promised greater support to school libraries, to attract and retain teachers, and enhance reading, writing and math skills.

“We want to make sure we’re going to spend our money in the way we said we were going to do that,” said Superintendent Jan Christensen.

The measure will provide the district with $1.4-$1.7 million over the next five years.

Suggestions for the funds, which were divided into support for libraries, attracting and retaining teachers and enhancing reading writing and math skills, came from approximately half of Redwood City School District principals.

Proposals included hiring a part-time or full-time resource teacher, increased funding to hands-on science activities, hiring additional teachers to reduce class sizes and providing additional hours for librarians in order to boost library hours.

Members of the board discussed if there was a need to mandate improvements in all three areas for all schools or allow schools to utilize funds to issues or programs that were of concern to their specific school site.

“I don’t think we should dictate more library hours if that’s not what is needed,” said board member Maria Diaz-Slocum.

If schools pool funds together, they may be able to hire an employee that can work with various sites for a minimal cost to each school.

“I’d really like to see us encourage the school’s to work together to get more bang for their buck,” said board member Hilary Paulson.

Michele Haussler, one of the leaders of the successful Measure W campaign that was voted upon earlier this month, joined in the conversation as well, but not without a token of thanks.

Haussler eyes became full of tears as she told the board of the happiness she felt when the board voted to unanimously support the parcel tax.

“Thank you for letting us do this for our district and for our kids,” said Haussler.

Hausler advised the board to keep in mind that the way the district uses Measure W funds now would be of great influence to any future campaigns seeking to renew the 5-year tax.

“Please make it measureable,” Haussler said.

If parents and members of the community can notice the difference Measure W makes, Haussler said, they are more likely to renew it.

Haussler also suggested that the board strongly consider hiring more teachers in order to reduce class sizes. 

In the same meeting, the board also voted to begin the search for the Measure W Citizen’s Oversight Committee. The committee is charged to ensure the money collected from the tax is used for the exact purpose of the measure.

The committee will consist of nine members, three parents, three non-parent community members and three local business owners.

The board will make proposals for the use of funds to the superintendent, who will then present her proposals to the board to make the final decision.

“We should be very clear they’re not picking and choosing how the funds are spent,” Paulson said.

District staff will now begin publicizing the request for applications, which are due September 15.

Christensen said the staff will develop a policy on how the committee will function, which will be finalized in August.

“Ultimately we’re the one’s responsible for the spending of the money,” said board member Shelly Masur. “We’ll be held accountable for it.”

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us