Voter turnout was poor, with only 21,452 voters casting a vote in 90 precincts. Of those who voted, 12,830 or 59.8 percent voted yes, and 8,622 voted no.

Had the measure passed, homeowners 65 or younger would have been assessed $98 for five years and owners of multifamily dwellings would have paid $40 per dwelling unit. Voters 65 or older could have applied for exemption from paying the tax.

"Not much we can do now," said a dejected Carol Myers, a member of the San Jose Unified School District governing board who represents Willow Glen schools. "It's unfortunate, but with the economy the way it is, it causes people to feel pressured. However, $98 a year is not a lot."

The district had already asked for and received approval for two prior bond measures—Measure C in 1997, a bond to fund repairs on school campuses, and Measure F in 2002, another bond that authorized repairs, renovation and new construction. However, these bond funds by law could not be used for instructional purposes.

The district had conducted telephone polls asking voters for their feeling about a parcel tax and said the results were overwhelmingly in favor of the measure, which was what gave them the confidence to place the measure on the ballot. District proponents said if the measure had passed it would have saved the jobs of credentialed teachers, librarians, academic specialists and custodians.

"We wish that those who said they would support Measure A would have gotten out to vote," said Karen Fuqua, spokeswoman for the district. "Though we're feeling pretty devastated, we'll get through this. But cuts are going to be deep."

The district had prepared a budget reflecting Measure A's defeat and submitted it to the district's governing board on May 5.

According to Gerald Matranga, associate superintendent for the district, the budget stipulates increasing class sizes in kindergarten through the third grade and some high school freshman classes, cutting library staff at all grade levels and decreasing allocations for credentialed teachers.

James and Mary St. Germain, who have lived in Willow Glen for 11 years, voted for the measure, but only reluctantly.

"We have children who go to school here, and we think the schools need our help," Mary said.

James added, "However, if the state wasn't in a budget crisis I would have voted no."

Mary Heredia, who's lived in Willow Glen for 32 years, voted against the parcel tax. "I know a lot of people who can't afford to have their taxes raised above what they are now," she said.

Because Heredia is over 65, she would have been exempt from the tax, but she said she was voting on behalf of those who would not have been exempt.

Angelo Zito, 82, who's lived in Willow Glen for 61/2 years, voted for the parcel tax.

"The schools need our help," he said.

Twelve-year Willow Glen resident Richard Potter also voted for the tax.

"I think $98 a year is a small price to pay for our schools," he said.

District Superintendent Linda Murray said, "It's very sad, and we've lost some momentum for our students."

Cuts will be made throughout the district in the weeks ahead.