Editorial

Support of parcel tax is a win-win for residents

It was a volatile year for investors. The market was ever changing, and in most cases that meant ever dropping. And though things seem to have leveled out in recent months, investors are still cautious with their hard-earned dollars and taking a guarded approach with their investments.

But there's one investment we can make that is sure to return great dividends--an investment in our children.

The ballot on April 9 will be a short one. The only decision voters will have to make is whether to approve an increase and an extension in the parcel tax that residents approved in 1998.

Approval of Measure B would call for an increase of $40 over the current tax of $250 per parcel approved in '98. It would also extend the parcel tax from four to six years.

The current Measure B should not be confused with the Measure B that voters passed in June 2001. The previous measure was a general obligation bond that funded construction and renovation at all of the district schools. Moneys generated by the bond could only be used for construction projects and not for any classroom enhancements or projects.

The money raised through the parcel tax, however, goes directly to the quality of education for individual students in the area. Dollars raised through the tax will provide:

• Smaller class sizes. Tax dollars will allow the district to fund 16 additional positions for classroom teachers, making it possible to limit class sizes to 26 students in grades 4-8. State funds have reduced class sizes to 20 students in grades K-3.

• Enhanced instruction. The parcel tax also provides funds for a science resource teacher, art instruction, literary resource teachers and music instruction, providing students a more well-rounded, complete education.

• Support services. The additional funding provided through the tax allows the district to provide nurses, psychologists, counselors and library personnel to add necessary services on school campuses.

• Maintained facilities. Funds will make it possible to provide additional custodians and an extra maintenance person to keep schools cleaner and operating more efficiently.

  The benefits of approval make the increase of $290 from $250 seem rather insignificant indeed. Forty dollars a year seems a very small price to pay to improve the educational experience for area students.

  What's more, the benefits go beyond the classroom. The value of a Los Gatos education can be measured in more than just higher test scores and better-educated children. It's no secret that property values in the Los Gatos area are high, and a contributing factor is the quality education provided to youngsters in the Los Gatos school district.

  So with a "yes" vote on April 9, residents will not only support children and their local schools, but they will also bolster property values. It's a win-win for homeowners.

  We urge approval of Measure B on April 9. It's a smart investment.

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