LAUSD to Propose Los Angeles Parcel Tax Again

Southern California Public Radio KPCC reports that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is looking at a $543 million budget hole. To make up some of these funds, Superintendent John Deasy is proposing a parcel tax ballot measure.

If L.A. voters were to approve the parcel tax, they would levy an additional $200 to $300 of annual tax debt onto their properties. At this time, Deasy has not yet settled on a definite figure. Concurrently with this ballot measure, Gov. Jerry Brown is also proposing tax increases on Californians, which would increase the sales tax as well as personal income taxes paid by individual payers making more than $250,000 a year. Should the governor's measure fail, California's education system is slated to endure another $4.8 billion in cuts. Hedging its bets, the LAUSD is working to shore up financial support independently from the state's government.

The LAUSD attempted to raise the parcel tax on Los Angeles area residents before. The Contra Costa Times recalls that in 2010 the district was successful in adding a ballot measure that called for a $100 parcel tax. At that time, the school district attempted to raise $92 million a year to pay for the salaries of "arts and music teachers, librarians, custodians and police officers." While 53 percent of voters did indeed approve of the measure, California law specifies that two thirds of the electorate must vote in favor of a tax-raising proposal, which caused Measure E to ultimately fail. Already on board for a second go-around are the local administrators' union and also United Teachers Los Angeles.

Part and parcel of the LAUSD's financial problems is the reduction of enrollment. Since district revenues are tied to the number of students the school district instructs, the gradual drop-off is hurting. The San Francisco Chronicle outlines that each year approximately 15,000 students leave the LAUSD by permit, move or transfer. In an attempt to increase the number of students in its K-12 education programs, the school board -- as outlined by SCPR -- will look for new ways to attract young learners and their families. Possible methods include the availability of Gifted and Talented Education testing for each student, an expansion of the magnet school program and more dual immersion teaching.

Sources

KPCC; "Parcel tax would charge Angelenos $200 to $300 annually to raise cash for schools"

Contra Costa Times; "LAUSD chief Deasy proposes parcel tax to stem budget deficit"

San Francisco Chronicle; "LA schools face $543M budget deficit for 2012-13"

SCPR; "LAUSD examines plan to up student enrollment"