What are Measures W and X and why do we need them?

Due to substantial state budget cuts over the past several years public school revenues have declined drastically and thus affected our ability to continue to fund and enhance enrichment programs in our schools.

Four years ago voters in the area served by the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) overwhelmingly approved approximately $7 million in local funding for classrooms. In that time students and teachers have benefited greatly from numerous dedicated enhancements to education throughout the district – classroom support, music instruction, math, science and technology instruction, and many other resources that would otherwise be not available to our 15,000 students.

Our schools need a reliable, supplemental local source of revenue in order to fund valued programs that provide the excellence in education every child in the district deserves. The SBUSD board of education voted unanimously in January to place these measures on the ballot to help ensure a stable source of funding for these programs. We now have the opportunity to continue our support for public education by supporting Measures W and X on June 5th.

Community Support for Measures W and X

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Frequently Asked Questions

What will the funds be used for?

Measure W - Secondary Schools

Enriching math, science and technology education
Enhancing music, arts and theater programs
Increasing foreign language offerings
Reducing class size
Offering trade-related courses that provide career readiness

Measure X - Elementary Schools

Enriching math and science education
Offering classroom music and performing arts programs
Increasing computer and educational technology
Reducing class size

What about Measures H and I from 2008?

Measures H and I were four year parcel tax initiatives approved by the voters in 2008 that have been funding enrichment programs including music, arts, performing arts, math, science and foreign language. These measures expire in June 2013. Without Measures W and X, the exceptional programs funded by H and I will disappear. For more information about the programs made possible through Measures H and I, please see our Investment Matters Newsletters

How will I benefit if I don’t have children in our schools?

There are several really important reasons why strong public schools with diverse programs benefit all of us in the community whether or not we currently have children in school. First, we need well-educated and well-rounded students who will be our civic leaders and future workforce providing the skills and services we depend on. Second, strong schools enhance property values for everyone. Third, our local culture is greatly enhanced by the skills and talents of students enrolled in the performing arts, music, and technology programs; their projects and performances provide entertainment and new ideas that benefit us all.

Our community has invested in its public schools since 1866. Generations of students have made a positive impact locally, nationally, and globally. These measures represent an investment in our future.

What is the biggest benefit to our students if these measures pass?

Our schools will have a stable, local source of revenue that cannot be taken away by the state. As a result we will be able to continue providing valuable enrichment programs and enhanced curriculum that our parents, teachers and students want and need. Additionally, quality public schools improve property values and help improve our quality of life as a community.

How will I benefit if I don't have children in our schools?

What is the biggest benefit to our students if these measures pass?

Are there any fiscal accountability measures?

Yes. These funds cannot be used for administrative salaries; all of the funds will be used locally to improve our schools. An annual expenditure report and an annual independent financial audit is required. There will also be a citizensí oversight committee for each measure to monitor the allocation of these funds. This will ensure that the District complies with the votersí wishes. The committees will be appointed by and report to the school board. All oversight committee meetings will be open to the public.

Are there other ways to increase funding for valued student programs?

School districts that rely on state funding formulas (called revenue limit) have experienced dramatic cuts in funding in the past several years. SBUSD was forced to make more than $20 million dollars in budget reductions since the spring of 2008 in order to create a balanced budget. With the help of local non-profits, the District was able to avoid cuts to valued programs like music, but without Measures X and W there is no additional funding source to expand or augment these programs. Private fund raising is simply not a reliable or secure source of funds.

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) has been a partner to SBUSD schools, working to raise private funds for the past 26 years. The foundationís efforts have sustained our elementary music programs, improved school and classroom libraries, and provided playground equipment. The foundation is committed to continuing its efforts to improve our schools and school programs. SBEF also manages the campaigns to pass the SBUSD funding measures (such as H and I, Q and R, and now W and X) because, by-law, the District cannot advocate for the measures.

If I live in Goleta or Montecito will I be voting on these measures?

Yes, the Santa Barbara Unified School District serves 10,000 students in eight public junior and senior high schools along the Goleta to Montecito corridor. Measure W is on the ballot for all residents in this corridor. If you live in the city of Santa Barbara you will also be voting on Measure X, benefiting 5,000 elementary school students.

I've heard a lot about unfunded pension liabilities. How does that affect the Santa Barbara Unified School District?

The Santa Barbara Unified School District has no unfunded employee pension liabilities. School district employees are covered by statewide pension systems mandated by state law.

What is a parcel tax?

A parcel tax is a flat amount assessed per piece of property. In order to pass, these measures will require a 2/3 majority of those voters casting votes on the measure.

What happens when a parcel tax expires, in this case, in four years?

At the end of four years, the Santa Barbara Unified School District may elect to ask voters to renew the parcel tax. However, the ultimate decision to reauthorize a parcel tax rests with local voters through the ballot process.

What is the amount of the new parcel tax?

Because of the budget crisis and substantial on-going cuts, the need to supplement what is provided by the state has more than doubled. The board of education made the decision to ask the voters to approve a $54 parcel tax to offset on-going and future budget cuts. None of the funds may be used for administrative salaries -- all of the funds will go directly into our classrooms. This modest investment will provide a stable, consistent, and locally controlled funding source that will benefit all students.

How can I help?

As a grassroots campaign, you can help in a number of ways including volunteering on the committee, lending your name as an endorser of the measures, putting a lawn sign in your yard, and/or making a donation. Contact Margie at Santa Barbara Education Foundation (805) 284-9125 for more information.

How can I donate?

Checks can be made out to Committee for Measures W and X and mailed to: 1330 State Street #203, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated.

Please join us in voting YES on Measures W and X. For more information about the measures, visit www.SantaBarbaraEducation.org or contact Margie@SantaBarbaraEducation.org, or call (805) 284-9125.

Community Support for Measures W and X

ORGANIZATIONS:
California School Employees Association
Santa Barbara County Democratic Party
Santa Barbara Teachers Association
Santa Barbara Retired Teachers Association
Santa Barbara Education Foundation
Roosevelt Elementary Education Foundation
Monroe School PTA
Goleta Valley Junior High School PTA
Santa Barbara High School Education Foundation
Washington School PTO
Dos Pueblos High School PTSA
Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee
Parents United/Padres Unidos
Santa Barbara High School PTSA
Washington School PTO
Dos Pueblos High School PTSA
Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee
United Parents/Padres UnidosLatino Democrats of Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Democratic Party
Partners in Education
League of Women Voters
Governing Board of the Montecito Union Elementary School District
Cold Spring Elementary School District
MAD Academy Foundation
PUEBLO Action Fund
Adams School PTA
Goleta Union School District
San Marcos High School PTSA

ELECTED OFFICIALS*:
Assemblyman Das Williams
1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal
2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf
3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley
Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider
Santa Barbara City Councilmember Cathy Murillo
Santa Barbara City Councilmember Bendy White
Santa Barbara City Councilmember Grant House
Santa Barbara City Councilmember Randy Rowse
Goleta City Councilmember Margaret Connell
Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools William J. Cirone
Goleta City Councilmember Ed Easton
Goleta City Councilmember Paula Perotte

ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS*:
Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education, President Susan Deacon
Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education, Annette Cordero
Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education, Ed Heron
Goleta Union School District Trustee Susan Epstein
Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education, Monique Limon
Goleta Union School District Trustee Richard Mayer
Goleta Union School District Trustee Dr. Dean Nevins
Goleta Union School District Trustee Pam Kinsley
Hope Elementary School District, President, Chris Gallo
Dr. Peter MacDougall, President Emeritus, Santa Barbara City College

* Individual endorsements

FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Lanny Ebenstein, Former Santa Barbara School Board Trustee
Nancy Harter, Former Santa Barbara School Board Trustee
Lynn Rodriguez, Former Santa Barbara School Board Trustee
Craig Price, Former Montecito Union School Board Trustee
Laura Malakoff, Former Santa Barbara School Board Trustee
Susan Rose, Former 2nd District Supervisor
Karen Anderson, Former Montecito Union School Board Trustee

PTA's/PTSA's:
Cathleen Garnand, Adams Elementary PTSA, Measure X
Kim and Ryan Curtis, Cold Springs PTO
Dawn Heimendinger, Goleta Valley Junior High PTA
Maya Upton, Santa Barbara High School PTA
Cynthia Stoddard, Santa Barbara Junior High School PTA
Alison Jordan, President, Monroe Elementary PTA
Nicole Dinkelacker, President, Dos Pueblos High School PTSA

INDIVIDUALS:
Amy and Craig Zimmerman
Bart Woolery
Bob Kupiec
Brian and Ann Sarvis
Brian Robinson
Chris Nelson
Christine Feldman
Darcel Elliott
David Cash
David Holmes
Elvira Tafoya
Eric Schenker
Frankie Morris
Hilda Zacarias
James and Lisa Ballentine
Janet Rowse
Jarrod Schwartz
Joe and Barbara Howell
John and Mary Romo
Judi and Alex Koper
Julie and Greg Sorenson
Katie Jacobs
Kay and Frank Stevens
Laura Inks
Layne Wheeler
Lee Moldaver
Margie and Abdul Yahyavi
Marshall and Heidi Rose - Measure W
Mike and Carrie Randolph
Mike Weissman
Paul Rooney
Philip Bugay
Rod Lathim
Rosalina Macisco
Salvador and Linda Guerena
Shannon Miller
Simon Dixon
Stephen and Abby Honikman
Steven and Denice Fellows
Sunny and Mark Ingalls
Thea Vandervoort
Tish Gainey
Todd Capps
Veronica Rogers
Vicki Allen
Yvonne DeGraw
Margie and Abdul Yahyavi
Amy and Craig Zimmerman

Pledge Your Support Now >>

Yes on Measures W and X | June 5th

Benefitting Santa Barbara, Goleta and Montecito.

What are Measures W and X and why do we need them?

Community Support for Measures W and X

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the funds be used for?

What about Measures H and I from 2008?

How will I benefit if I don’t have children in our schools?

What is the biggest benefit to our students if these measures pass?

How will I benefit if I don't have children in our schools?

What is the biggest benefit to our students if these measures pass?

Are there any fiscal accountability measures?

Are there other ways to increase funding for valued student programs?

If I live in Goleta or Montecito will I be voting on these measures?

I've heard a lot about unfunded pension liabilities. How does that affect the Santa Barbara Unified School District?

What is a parcel tax?

What happens when a parcel tax expires, in this case, in four years?

What is the amount of the new parcel tax?

How can I help?

How can I donate?

Community Support for Measures W and X