After opting not to go with an education parcel tax for the June election, school district leaders are now focused on putting a revenue-generating measure on the November ballot.
A draft of the $75 parcel tax resolution, which will be reviewed at the May 1 Morgan Hill Unified School District board meeting, outlines the four key areas that the tax funds will be used for. Those are:
• Core academic programs that focus on skills like science, technology, engineering and math;
• Ability to attract and retain quality teachers and staff;
• Programs to help children with special needs; and
• Programs focused on the arts.
At the Feb. 6 meeting, the Board of Trustees did not move forward with a $75 parcel tax for the June 5 election after learning the results of a second community survey.
“The results of the polling indicated that not enough support existed to pass a $75 parcel tax in June, and it was suggested to move the measure to the November ballot, where prior polling indicated a higher likelihood of passing,” the staff report reads.
The district plans to ask for board approval of a final parcel tax measure resolution at the May 15 meeting, according to the report.
The agenda item also states that MHUSD “is the lowest funded unified school district” in the county and other districts “have locally approved parcel taxes which generate additional funds to support important programs such as class size reduction, arts, libraries, and technology.
Recognitions
Jackson Academy of Math & Music Principal Patrick Buchser was recognized by the Santa Clara County Office of Education as one of two recipients of the 2018 Artspiration Principal Arts Leadership Award, according to the district report. He will receive an “a-PAL Award” on May 22 at the Young Artist Showcase Celebration. “Buchser is known for his advocacy for the arts, his support of equitable arts access for all students, and his leadership in our district’s mission to implement a new Strategic Arts Plan,” the May 1 agenda reads.
Los Paseos Elementary School Principal Debbie Stewart will be recognized May 11 at the Association of California School Administrators Awards dinner as a Region 8 ACSA 1st Year Administrator Superstar, according to district staff. “She has a passion for ensuring all students have access to a quality education and that teachers have the tools and support they need to help their students succeed,” the agenda item reads.
Parting ways
Britton Middle School Principal Chris Moore was on the list of resignations for the May 1 personnel order. Moore will leave Britton at end of the school year June 30.
Also submitting their resignation were teachers Julia Angeles (Live Oak), Suzanne Jockner (JAMM), Bryan Olson (Martin Murphy) and Dana Parra (PA Walsh).
Teachers Chris Mink (PA Walsh) and LIsa Tanner (JAMM) are retiring at the end of the year, according to the May 1 personnel order.
Consent items
• $15,000 contract (Measure G) with McKim Design Group, Inc. “to perform limited architectural services for the District Data Center Upgrade Project.”
• $36,200 contract (Measure G) with Clearly Consultants, Inc. “to provide a geotechnical and geohazard analysis of the potential construction areas” for the $12 million JAMM multipurpose room project.
• $12,700 contract (Deferred Maintenance) with Skyline Engineering for the design of Live Oak High School administration building roof replacement.
• $209,220 contract (Restricted Routine Maintenance) with Best Contracting for Live Oak High School administration building roof replacement.
