LONG BEACH UNIFIED PARCEL TAX FAILS

By Kevin Butler, Staff Writer Long Beach Press Telegram

Posted: 11/03/2009 08:21:20 PM PST

<<11/3/09 - L-R Volunteers, Ward Johnson, Ida Thompson and Cynthia Motex were off to a slow start at the Olympic Sailing Center in Long Beach voting on Measure T. Photo by Brittany Murray / Press Telegram

 

Election results

LONG BEACH - A ballot measure that would establish a five-year parcel tax to fund the Long Beach Unified School District was defeated at the polls Tuesday.

Measure T, which needed a two-thirds majority of votes cast to pass, fell far short of that goal, with 43.11 percent of voters approving the tax and 56.89 percent rejecting it. Turnout was low, with only 13 percent of registered voters participating in the special election.

The measure, which the school board placed on the ballot, would have imposed a $92 annual parcel tax on property owners to fund schools.

LBUSD officials had estimated that the measure would bring in about $60 million over its five-year life span.

District officials say they may have to cut as much as $90 million from the district's budget over the next two years in an effort to cope with state budget cuts. Measure T proponents said the revenue would save programs and jobs.

LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser said he was disappointed that the measure was trailing in early returns.

"But the fact remains, if (Measure T) fails - and it doesn't look good now - we have $90 million we have to cut, and we have some really tough decisions to make," he said.

"And the voters - those who voted - have given us their decision," he added. "So we have to do what is best for our children and what is best for the fiscal solvency of this district. So we will move forward."

The district will continue to provide quality programs, he said.

"But they will be different," Steinhauser said. "I can't say what those will be because the board has to make the decision."

Measure T wasn't the only education matter on the ballot Tuesday.

Voters also cast ballots for school board races in the ABC, Bellflower, Norwalk-La Mirada, and Paramount unified school districts.

Voters also were to decide races for the Cerritos College Board of Trustees, as well as the Hawaiian Gardens City Council.

Artesia voters decided city council races and two tax ballot measures.

>>11/3/09 - Edwin Feo was a lone voter Tuesday morning and 23rd of the day to 10a.m. hour at the Olympic Sailing Center in Long Beach voting on Measure T, which requires a two-thirds vote to pass. Photo by Brittany Murray / Press Telegram >>

 

Artesia voters decided city council races and two tax ballot measures.