Torrance School Officials Study Small Property Tax

Torrance school officials are studying a plan that would levy a small tax on property owners to help maintain school grounds and recreation facilities.

The idea is one of several revenue-producing measures suggested by an ad hoc committee now reviewing school buildings in the Torrance Unified School District, which has had to slash its budget in recent years because of state funding cutbacks.

Last winter the district cut $2.56 million from its budget of nearly $80 million, but later restored $1.6 million of that when the state funding picture improved.

Under the plan being reviewed, property owners in the district would pay a fee to finance the maintenance and repair of school landscaping, lighting and recreation areas, the committee stated Monday in a report to the city school board.

School administrators say it is too early to say whether the idea is feasible in Torrance. Several Orange County school districts looked into establishing similar assessment districts but backed off when the idea touched off a flurry of protests from angry taxpayers.

“It’s something for us to look at and compile some data,” said Schools Supt. Edward J. Richardson, who expects to have more information by February or March.

City Clerk John A. Bramhall, a member of the ad hoc committee, said that under state law, a maintenance assessment district cannot be used to raise money for classroom repairs but it can be used to fund specific items such as the upkeep of recreation areas. Voter approval would not be required because the assessment is not considered a tax, according to the committee’s research.

Richardson said it is too early to say what the tax might be, or how it might be calculated.

In its interim report, the ad hoc committee also recommended that school officials move more aggressively to recoup vandalism costs at local schools. The committee suggested that the schools pursue actions in small claims court against student vandals or their parents, both to recover money for repairs and to deter future vandalism.

In addition, the committee said, school officials should look into establishing what it called “a citizens’ support foundation” to raise money for the district’s general fund. That money could be used for activities such as reading, music, arts, sports and school nurses.

Another topic being studied involves the gradually increasing enrollment of the 20,000-student district and how the schools should cope with anticipated crowding at a number of district schools.

In its Monday report, the group warned that seven schools--Calle Mayor, Lynn and Madrona middle schools and Edison, Fern, Lincoln and Towers elementary schools----will be near or above capacity in 1992-93.

And six more schools--Hull Middle School and Anza, Arlington, Hickory, Walteria and Yukon elementary schools--will reach that level in 1995-96.

The group is studying a variety of responses, including a year-round schedule, reopening or closing some schools, realigning grade levels and changing attendance area boundaries.

Its final recommendations are to be made in a report in March.