Schools parcel tax supporters hoping to get out the vote with a community-driven effort

In addition to voting on candidates for president, U.S. senator and other offices in the November elections, Alameda voters in the March 5 primary election will vote on Measure E, a schools parcel tax.

If Measure E doesn't pass, the Alameda Unified School District will reportedly lose $24 million, amounting to 20% of its annual budget. Combining and continuing two existing parcel taxes, Measure B1 and Measure A, Measure E does not add any new parcel taxes. Su- san Davis, the AUSD's commu- nity affairs manager, said Mea- sure E does not raise any extra money for the school district.

“It will simply combine the two parcel taxes into one and extend them for nine years,” she said. “The tax rate will not change, and taxes are not being increased. Property owners will continue to pay the same taxes as they currently do.”

If passed, Measure E will continue a combined total parcel tax of 58.5 cents per square foot on all Alameda buildings starting on July 1 of next year. Davis said Measure E funds would continue work begun by money raised from Measures B1 and A.

In the case of 2016's Measure

B1, that means $12 million annually would continue to go toward maintaining smaller kindergarten through third-grade class sizes, high school sports, art, music, drama and Advanced Placement courses as well as college and career coun

Piedmont's Municipal Services Parcel Tax has since 1981 supported services such as the police and fire departments, 911 dispatch response and paramedic services as well as park maintenance, stormwater infrastructure, the maintenance and upgrades of streets and public facilities and planning for library, recreation and other community activities.

In the March 5 primary election, Piedmont residents who may otherwise overlook the importance of renewing the parcel tax on the same ballot as the statewide presidential election are paying attention to Measure F. The City Council placed the measure on the ballot to continue the tax first passed by Piedmont voters

PHOTO BY PAUL KILDUFF Alameda residents will vote March 5 on Measure E, a schools parcel tax that school district officials say must pass or the district will lose $24 million, amounting to 20% of its annual budget.