Schools tax OK'd in Novato; Joachim leads in Mill Valley
Novato Unified School District voters were soundly approving Measure A, a renewal of the district's parcel tax, in preliminary returns in a special election Tuesday.
With 72% of precincts reporting, Measure A had 83.11% yes votes and 16.89% no. The measure needs twothirds yes votes to pass.
The tax would be renewed at the rate of $251 per parcel annually for a term of eight years with no automatic annual increases or additional tax.
It was also Election Day in Mill Valley, where the city held a special contest to fill a seat on the City Council left open with the resignation of Sashi Sabaratnam, who moved out of the city.
Susan Gladwin, a 60year old businesswoman, competed with Caroline Joachim, a 53-year-old attorney, for the seat. Joachim earned 65.75% of votes and Gladwin received 34.25% of votes, in early returns, with 50% of precincts reporting.
State law prohibited the city from installing a successor to Sabaratnam because it would mean most members obtained their seats by appointment. Sabaratnam, whose last name used to be McEntee, resigned last year to move to Sonoma County.
Novato's parcel tax, one of the lowest rates among the Marin school districts, expires June 30. An earlier attempt to extend the tax in March 2020 went down to defeat after voters rejected a proposed renewal of the $251 rate plus an increase of $125 and a 3% annual cost of living rise.
This time around, organizers said they didn't want to take any chances. Proponents opted instead to pursue a straight renewal and no annual cost-of-living bump.
Measure A includes senior citizens exemptions, said Jan La Torre-Derby, district superintendent. Seniors who have tax exemptions will be automatically rolled over for Measure A and do not have to reapply, she said.
The district, which includes 20,780 tax parcels, has 4,377 senior exemptions on the books.
“About 81% of our district residents are 50 to 65 years old and up,” La Torre-Derby said.
If the tax were not renewed, the district would lose $4 million in revenue from its $100 million budget. That would mean layoffs for 11 classroom teachers as well as counselors, music teachers, library and athletic department staff, La Torre-Derby said.
All proceeds from Measure A are set to go to “maintain quality core academic instruction in math, science, reading/writing; protect funding for teachers; and preserve music/art programs,” according to the ballot language. No money will be spent on administration, the ballot said.