One Vote for Education, Not Necessarily for New Tax

Dear Editor, Let me state at the outset that I would be an
enthusiastic advocate for the right kind of parcel tax to support
our schools, and at a higher rate than the $10 or so a month
Superintendent Nishino and the School Board are planning to ask for
on the proposed ballot measure (
”
Schools Planning Parcel Tax.
”
Dear Editor,

Let me state at the outset that I would be an enthusiastic advocate for the right kind of parcel tax to support our schools, and at a higher rate than the $10 or so a month Superintendent Nishino and the School Board are planning to ask for on the proposed ballot measure (“Schools Planning Parcel Tax,” Morgan Hill Times, Saturday, February 4, Page A1).

Unfortunately, the proposal outlined in the Times sounds like the kind of minimalist, me-too measure that I would be least likely to support. For me to come around on this measure, I’d like to see a serious effort to address the following three items:

Accountability, not assumptions: The article mentions several times that there is a correlation between “good schools and education and property values.” While this may be true, it is not therefore true that just any parcel tax will lead to good schools.

What are the Superintendent and school board willing to publicly commit to in terms of measures of success for this tax? How much will standardized test scores or college acceptance rates go up as a result of this measure? What metrics will they use to prove that this is money well spent, and what time frame do they expect results in? And if the schools get better, how much more do they think property values can increase over the already astonishing levels we’ve seen in the past few years?

Development, not defense: The article lists several possible areas for funding; technology, agricultural programs, and fine arts. While the agricultural program is rather unique, this list sounds pretty much like the list every other district proposes when asking for more money.

The overall tone is that we have fallen behind and need to catch up. This doesn’t sound like we’re aiming for good schools – just adequate ones. Where are the creative, inspirational ideas that attract support from across the community? Where are the proposals to not just meet minimal standards, but create a culture of ongoing improvement? Our goal should be to give our teachers the resources to be the best, our students the inspiration to do their best, and our community the confidence to expect the best.

Outreach, not polling: The article states that the district is planning to do what’s “normally done” and contract with some consultants to do polling. Polling is basically an attempt to ask “What’s the most we can get away with?” It’s fast, safe, and reactive.

What if we did something not normally done? Something as unique a Morgan Hill? Not pay for consultants, but do personal outreach to create community advocates. Really engage the community – the whole community, not just the Home and School Club presidents and the like – in a discussion of what it takes to create a great school district.

Not just to educate them, but to convince them to share a vision of excellence for the district. This will be harder, less safe, less sure, but ultimately may be much more rewarding.

Overall, supporters of the proposed parcel tax may say this characterization is grossly unfair and my questions show naive idealism.

They’re probably right on both counts, but voters aren’t fair, and maybe there is some residual idealism out there. Considering that, according to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, only 9 of 20 school parcel tax measures on the March 2004 ballot passed by the required two-third majority, the safe bet might be to follow the standard script and do what brought success 45 percent of the time in those other elections – a minimal burden with a limited scope.

As for me, I might vote yes, but I’ll also take a cue from Superintendent Nishino’s characterization of the cost of this proposal and start investing my Starbucks money for my infant daughter’s private school fund.

Bart Fisher, Morgan Hill