Education: Renewal of Parcel Tax Discussed by School Officials

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school officials are weighing whether to renew a parcel tax in the two cities.

A panel of local residents, business people and teachers are evaluating the $58-per-parcel tax, on the books since 1988 and scheduled to expire in June of next year. Arthur Cohen, the district’s finance director, said the committee could recommend increasing the tax or keeping it at the current rate.

By April of this year, the school board will decide whether to place the parcel tax on the November ballot. The tax generates about $1.8 million annually, Cohen said. The money helps pay for books, insurance, hiring teachers and other operational costs.