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LASD parcel tax passing narrowly

by Andrea Gemmet and Nick Veronin

As the polls closed May 3, Measure E, a new $193 annual parcel tax to benefit local schools had the votes to pass and its proponents were optimistic. However, at least one opponent of the proposal is holding out hope that last-minute ballots will dash the two-thirds majority it needs to pass.

Measure E led with 67.1 percent of the vote on Wednesday just before the Voice press deadline. That's just over the margin of two-thirds that it needs to win.

Jay Gill, a proponent of the Los Altos School District's Measure E says the tax is needed to address education cuts resulting from federal, state and local budgets being slashed.

At about 10 p.m. Tuesday night, Gill said he was "cautiously optimistic," that the parcel tax — expected to raise $2.3 million for the district over the course of its six-year life — would pass. He said it was still too early to call the election, however.

"I'll bite my nails a little bit," Gill said.

Ron Haley, a Los Altos Hills resident who led a campaign against Measure E, said he had his fingers crossed that his side would claim the majority of the last minute ballots cast on election day. "The unfortunate thing is that we're behind," he said.

By Haley's calculation, about 90 more "no" votes would be enough to thwart the necessary two-thirds majority.

An updated tally released Wednesday afternoon showed the margin closed slightly, from 67.3 percent on election night to 67.1 percent.

About 1,000 students living in Mountain View attend the district's seven elementary and two middle schools — roughly 25 percent of the entire student body. Homeowners in the district already are paying $597 a year for a parcel tax passed in 2002, and a bond issue assessment of about $600 per year on a home with an assessed value of $1 million.

The Santa Clara County elections office reported Wednesday afternoon that the vote is 9,187 in favor to 4,509 opposed, with all 16 precincts reporting. An updated tally is due by 5 p.m. Friday, May 6. Check www.mv-voice.com for an updated story.

Posted by Tax Payer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on May 5, 2011 at 7:01 pm

People see residents of LA, MV, and PA as rich suckers! Open piggy banks who will always let others invade their wallets. After Mtn.View blows that 30 mil from Google they will be digging in your wallets again too! These unions and "public servants" will stop at nothing to suck you dry. Better get ready for more and even on the state level too if gov moonbeam has his way and the sheep don't speak up! As long as you keep perpetuating the waste you can't complain or effect change. Good luck with that. Suckers!