Irvine Trustees Hear Arguments For and Against Parcel Tax

At a sometimes tense meeting that went late into the night, Irvine Unified School District trustees heard Tuesday from backers and opponents of a proposal to try for a fourth time to pass a parcel tax that would bring in money for popular programs.

The measure proposed for the April 11 ballot would seek a $95 levy annually on each home, apartment and commercial building. The same issue on the November ballot won approval of 62.4% of voters but fell short of the required two-thirds. Similar tax proposals failed in 1983 and 1991.

More than 250 people packed the meeting room, standing in the back and spilling into the hall. Speakers for and against the proposal were interrupted by outbursts from the audience and occasionally heckled.

About two-thirds of those who addressed the board backed the tax.

Some parents told district officials they neglected to vote in the November election because they believed the tax would pass easily. Voter turnout was just over 25%.

“We need to take care of ourselves. I hope that we put this parcel tax on every single ballot of every single election until the people who oppose this are ashamed,” parent Gil Nelsen said.

Others spoke against it. Said parent Charles Lowers: “One of the first things I told my 9-month-old son was, ‘No,’ and no means no. I would urge you to demonstrate to students that you respect that the people have already spoken.”

When school board members revived the issue, they said they were convinced that the community finally understands the budget crisis facing its campuses.

The district, which has an annual budget of about $140 million, faces a deficit of at least $4 million for 2000-01, trustees said, which would mean eliminating highly regarded art, music and science programs and laying off about 100 teachers.

While applauding the district’s goal, some city leaders expressed concern about the timing of the vote.

“April 11 is the day after property taxes are due,” Mayor Christina L. Shea said. “That could deter people from supporting the tax. If they lose it again, it will be a huge problem.”

Trustees said an April election would give them time to revise the budget before final layoff notices go out to teachers. The deadline is March 15 to let teachers know that their jobs might be cut, but layoffs would not be final until two months later.

“We don’t need to wait until things deteriorate and teachers already have jobs in other districts,” school Trustee Margie Wakeham said.

Other tax proponents who have pledged to spearhead a tax campaign said that delaying the vote would not be a realistic option.

“There is no short-term solution” to the budget situation, said Hank Adler, a 28-year Irvine resident who served on the school board from 1994 to 1998.