Weighing in on use of school revenues Weighing in on use of school revenues (January 28, 2005)

Citizens invited to join parcel-tax committee

By Roseanne G. Pereira

Almost a year since voters approved a new parcel tax, the Mountain View-Whisman School District is forming a citizens oversight committee to make sure its funds are properly used.

"The goal is to ensure expenditures match the purposes of the parcel tax," said Rebecca Wright, chief financial officer of the Mountain View-Whisman School District.

The $1.6 million parcel tax was passed last March and was first assessed in September. It costs most homeowners $75 a year.

Spending goals for the original ballot measure include maintaining small school and classes, restoring arts programs, retaining teachers and staff, keeping libraries open and preserving essential education programs.

The citizens oversight committee will be similar in function to those of groups currently overseeing bond money for the district. It will ideally have five to seven people and include parents and non-parents, said Wright.

Committee members would serve for three years and meet a couple times a year.

"It would be useful [for committee members] to have a financial background," Wright added.

At a meeting last week, school board members also talked about possible uses for the parcel tax funds, although priorities for these ideas have not yet been set.

However, board members stressed the need for having visible benefits to the community and for spending the money on measures that would ease the healing process of closing a school.

Some ideas included restoring art and music programs and hiring a transition specialist who would serve as a liaison for all students who are changing schools, as a result of a school closing.

The district is spending about $50,000 of its parcel tax revenue a year to counter a lawsuit put forth by Saratoga resident Aaron Katz. A property owner in Mountain View, Katz is contending the parcel tax election was run illegally.

Those interested in applying for a position on the citizens oversight committee can contact Rebecca Wright at 526-3548 to receive an application. A committee will be selected by the end of February, she said.

E-mail Roseanne G. Pereira at rpereira@mv-voice.com

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