May 10, 2008

Yee endorses $78 parcel tax

By Christine Morente / Bay Area News Group

Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, spoke up for the children Friday and endorsed a $78 parcel tax.

Standing in front of Taylor Middle School, he and members of the Friends of Excellent Millbrae Schools (FEMS), asked voters to approve Measure P. If it's passed on June 3, it is expected to bring in at least $400,000 a year. Seniors can opt for exemption.

Yee warned that cuts to education and social services are imminent.

"Those actions we're taking in Sacramento are going to hurt our children," he said. "This proposition is a local Hail Mary to find a way to ensure there's a revenue source. Measure P is so important. We have got to find a way to save our children."

Last year, voters rejected the original Measure R, also a $78 parcel tax. It failed with 64.4 percent approval, which was short of the two-thirds needed for passage. Results later showed that 44.2 percent of parents with children enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade voted, while 56 percent did not.

The district - battling with a $1.8 million shortfall for the last five years - is relying on the success of Measure P and creating an education foundation to raise money. The district sold land at 1 Alp Way, a former 10-acre school site, to a private developer for $20.1 million. But Millbrae Elementary Superintendent Shirley Martin said the district is still facing a $575,000 shortfall for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

If the tax measure fails, more cuts could affect the music program and reading specialists. Shirley said the school district already has the lowest per-pupil spending of 23 neighboring districts.

"Kids are cleaning their own classrooms," said Svetlana Vaksberg, co-chairwoman of FEMS. "The fact that we can't provide adequate janitorial support in a district like Millbrae bothers me. Why aren't we giving our kids the best? We've got to get this passed."