Another School Parcel Tax for Moraga? Voters Will Decide in November

Facing an annual deficit of $700,000 per year, and the prospect of laying off teachers and staff, increasing class size and reducing core programs like math and science, the Moraga School District board voted unanimously Thursday to place a parcel tax measure on the November ballot.

If approved, property owners would pay $192 a year for six years to keep math, science, music, and art programs funded in Moraga elementary and intermediate schools. That would in be addition to the $325 parcel tax already helping to fund the Moraga district schools, and a $360 annual parcel tax for the high school. 

Low-income seniors would be exempt from the proposed new tax, and it would expire in six years. Officials say that the money raised by the tax would go entirely to district schools.

A ballot measure last year asked voters for $225 per parcel. That measure, which had no sunset clause and no exemptions, was turned down by voters. 

According to the district, the money raised would be used to "maintain the high quality of Moraga schools and continue funding for effective math, science, music and arts programs; maintain manageable class sizes; keep schools safe and well-maintained; keep school libraries open; keep classroom technology up to date; and attract and maintain the best qualified teachers." 

What are your thoughts about this newly proposed parcel tax?