Parcel Tax Survey Shows Support for June 2012 Measure

A January 2012 voter survey has shown favorable feasibility concerning a possible parcel tax aimed to ease the economic strains on the Redwood City School District.

Godbe Research President Bryan Godbe presented the Redwood City School District Board of Trustees with the findings of a January 4-8 phone poll with a sample size of 502 likely November 2012 voters and 402 likely June 2012 voters.

“I think this is a great report card,” Godbe said.

There is a solid base of support for this parcel tax, Godbe said, with 73 percent of June 2012 voters in support (51 percent polling “definitely yes” and 22 percent “probably yes”) and 75 percent of November 2012 voters (50 percent “definitely yes” and 25 percent “probably yes”).

The researchers final recommendations to the board were to place the parcel tax measure on the June 2012 ballot with a dollar amount up to $75 and to limit the duration of the measure to no more than five years.

“In the past, we’ve been very close to the margin of error,” said board trustee Shelly Masur. “I feel like it’s really not going to get any better in terms of what we see in a survey.”

A $91 parcel tax proposed in 2009 gained 64 percent approval, but fell short of the two-thirds vote necessary to approve the tax. The timing for the 2009 parcel tax, Godbe said, was significantly damaging.

“I think 2009 was as imperfect as it gets,” Godbe said.

However, the board and members of the community showed more confidence in a 2012 parcel tax. Particular rallying support came from members of the Redwood City Community for Better Schools.

The organization, a collaboration of volunteers who have led the measure’s campaign effort, has raised a total of $66,700 and has approximately 400 volunteers. “People are understanding that, with what’s happening in Sacramento, we need more stability,” said RCCBS Executive Committee Member Michele Haussler.

The members of RCCBS, who have been working on the campaign since August 2011, said they are ready to mobilize the community to the polls.

“We need the help of everyone who’s here and the much greater community out there,” said committee member and former board member Margaret Marshall.

The organization recommended a $75 parcel tax to be put on the ballot in June 2012, stating that there is stronger community support and better probable voter turnout.

The board had varying opinions concerning the exact dollar amount that should be placed on the ballot.

President Hilary Paulson said $75 would be too high and favored a number closer to $67.

According to the survey, 69 percent of June 2012 voters would support a $75 parcel tax (21 percent “definitely yes” and 48 percent “probably yes”) while 71 percent would approve a $67 measure (21 percent “definitely yes” and “50 percent “probably yes”).

Godbe said that the board should not approve a number under $67, which would generate $1.7 million for the school board.

“The voters of this survey are more supportive of higher rates than they were before,” he said.

In discussion, the board, researcher and community members were in agreement that June 2012 would be the preferred date given that voters will be more concentrated on elections and be discouraged by other proposed tax hikes.

“If we get tangled up with all those other things it will be no, no, no, straight down the line,” said board member Maria Diaz-Slocum.

Trustee Alisa Greene MacAvoy said she also would not want to slow down the positive momentum created by the RCCBS and other community members.

The board will continue their discussion of the parcel tax in their February 8 meeting in order to solidify the dollar amount that will appear on the ballot and vote on an action February 22 in order to meet the ballot measures March deadline. 

The next regular meeting of the Redwood City School District Board of Trustees meeting will be held on February 8 at 7 p.m. in the District Office at 750 Bradford St.

A special session will take place at 9 a.m. January 31 in the same location.

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