IRVINE : School Board Leader Supports Parcel Tax

Irvine school board President Tom Burnham has gone on record in support of a parcel tax to help the district survive a bleak financial future. It was an admittedly difficult decision for the self-described conservative Republican.

“I do recognize it’s a conservative community, but I am responding to what community members have been saying,” Burnham said. “They want a choice.”

Community members are concerned, according to Burnham, about a proposed $3-million cut in next school year’s $100-million budget, which threatens a wide range of programs and personnel.

Some school board members still wince at the memory of the district’s last attempt to pass a parcel tax, which requires two-thirds voter approval. In June, 1991, Irvine voters were asked to approve Measure P, a $35-a-year property tax projected to raise $1.4 million each year for local schools. It failed by 211 votes.

“I’m willing to pay more to support this school district,” said school board member Mary Ellen Hadley, who led the 1991 parcel tax campaign. “But it’s hard to ask people to support a parcel tax when we don’t know what the numbers are.”

But Hadley said it may just be a matter of weeks before the district has an accurate estimate of how much money will be returned from its $107-million investment in the county’s failed investment pool.

Although the attention of district officials is riveted on a looming $54.5-million debt payment due June 13, Burnham said the district must increase revenue to survive dwindling state support.

“I do recognize that this is an anti-tax community,” Burnham said. “But community members have a right to see long-term financial resources established for this school district.”