The Measure authorizes the District to grant senior exemptions to the parcel tax, and implements an annual financial audit.

Dated: December 14, 2001

Patrick K. Faulkner
County Counsel

For over 15 years, excellence has been achieved through rigorous cost control, voluntary parent and community contributions, and the voter-approved parcel tax. Without the parcel tax, the district would be more dependent upon state support, which will decline this year and next year. California now ranks 48th among states in the lowest expenditures per student based on information from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The difference between 48th out of 50 and excellence is the crucial 14% of our budget provided by Measure A. In 1996, 78% of voters authorized a supplemental tax which will be $395.28 per parcel in 2002. That amount is no longer adequate; without an increase, our basic programs are at risk.

Measure A would enable the Kentfield School District to continue to attract and retain excellent staff, continue to deliver high-quality academic programs, maintain small class size, continue to offer an up-to-date technology program, and provide for superior facilities maintenance. This seven-year tax authorizes $550 per parcel for 2002-2003 with 5% annual adjustments to support possible enrollment growth, inflation and rising basic costs.

Property owners 65 and older are exempted form this tax on their primary residence by applying to the Kentfield School District.

The excellent education provided by the Kentfield School District has been a cornerstone for generations of Greenbrae and Kentfield students. Join us in extending that foundation of excellence into the future.

s/ Susan Morrow, President

Board of Trustees
Kentfield School District

s/ Judith O'Connell Allen

Former Trustee
Kentfield School District

s/ Ken MacDonald
Former Trustee Kentfield School District

s/ Win Setrakian Mauzy Former Trustee

Kentfield School District

s/ Byron Mauzy Former Superintendent of Schools Marin County Office of Education

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)

FULL TEXT OF RESOLUTION #7, 2001-2002 BEFORE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE KENTFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

In the Matter of a ) RESOLUTION AND ORDER Special Tax Election ) OF ELECTION

WHEREAS, the California State Legislature has failed to provide adequate funding for the continued operations of the schools (Anthony Bacich Elementary School and Adaline E. Kent Middle School) of the Kentfield School District ("District"): and as a result of this lack of funding and financial support for the schools, the District is in danger of eliminating many study programs beneficial and necessary to the children who attend the schools of the District; and once eliminated these programs of study will be extremely difficult to reinstitute; and

WHEREAS, the District has engaged in a variety of efforts to generate funds for the educational program, including lobbying in the State Legislature and many local fundraising efforts, and has undertaken cost-cutting measures, including employee layoffs, reduction of programs and services beneficial and necessary to the students of the District; and

WHEREAS, continued reliance solely on State funding will result in further loss of critical programs; and

WHEREAS, a thorough and developed public education program delivers many long-lasting benefits and advantages to all of the residents of our community; and

WHEREAS, 78% of the voters of the District previously authorized a similar special assessment, which special assessment expires on June 30, 2003; and

WHEREAS, without a renewed authorization by the voters for a special assessment, substantial reduction or elimination of educational programs and services will be necessary and will have a severe negative impact on the children of the District; and

WHEREAS, section 4 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and Government Code sections 50075, 50076, 50077, 50079, and 53720, 53721, 53722 and 53724 authorize school districts to levy a special tax to raise funds for the purpose of conducting its business upon the approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by voters voting upon such a special tax proposal; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has conducted a noticed public hearing on November 27, 2001, as required by law, on the question of whether or not to request the District's voters to authorize funding to continue the programs identified below.

NOW THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE KENTFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT FINDS, DETERMINES, RESOLVES, AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1: The recitals listed above are adopted as true and correct.

Section 2: A special election is hereby called and ordered and shall be conducted on March 5, 2002, at which election will be submitted to the qualified voters of the District a measure to authorize a special tax for the purpose of continuing vital educational programs critical to the educational process in the schools of the district, which programs are identified below.

Section 3: At the special election to be held within the boundaries of the District on March 5, 2002, the following measure shall be submitted to the qualified voters within the District, to wit:

MEASURE "A"

To maintain excellence in Kentfield's public education by supporting superior academic core programs, attracting/retaining highly-qualified teachers, maintaining small class sizes, and enhancing technology programs, shall Kentfield School District levy parcel taxes, to replace existing assessments, at $550 per year for parcels containing one single-family residence, at rates specified below for all other parcels, increase rates by 5% per year, grant senior exemptions, and implement an annual financial audit, for seven years?

The following educational programs and services shall be supported by the special tax:

Quality of Teachers and Other Staff Members: Attract and retain outstanding teachers, administrators and support staff.

Class Size: Class size ratios will be maintained at current levels and, when possible, will be reduced.

Computer Education: Implementation of the five-year Technology Use Plan will enhance the instruction in all areas of the curriculum.

English: Additional instruction of literature, grammar and writing skills in grades 6, 7, and 8 and special resource staff to teach specific groups in grades 1 through 5.

Mathematics: Curriculum offerings in pre-algebra and algebra for grades 7 and 8 and special resource staff to teach specific groups in grades 1 through 5.

Foreign Language: Basic instruction in Spanish.

Library Sciences: Library staff at Kent Middle School and Bacich School to support the study of literature at all grade levels.

Increase Classroom Time: Continuation of additional academic time and study time above state minimum requirements.

Special Student Needs: Special resources and staffing for students with special requirements.

Science: Instructional programs for all grade levels with a full three-year program at Kent Middle School.

Textbooks/Library Books: Textbooks, library books and instructional materials for all students.

Staff Development: Provide for a staff development program to meet the ongoing needs for curriculum development and implementation.

Fine Arts: Continue current art, music and drama programs.

Maintenance: Maintenance services and projects commensurate with a superior educational program.

The parcel tax will be imposed at the rate of $550 per year for each assessor's parcel containing one single-family residence or dwelling unit. For parcels containing more than one single-family residence or dwelling unit, the tax will be imposed at the rate of $550 per year for the first unit and $60 per year for each additional unit, but not less than $550 per parcel per year. For all other parcels within the District, the tax will be imposed at the following rates, but not less than $550 per parcel per year:

All parcels sizes shall be determined from the records maintained by the Marin County Assessor's office.

This tax would replace the 2002-2003 authorized assessment of $395.28 per parcel per year. Each year during the assessment period there will be an increase of 5% from the prior year's rates for all parcels not exempt from the tax. An exemption from the assessment will be made available to each individual in the District who will attain 65 years prior to July 1 of the assessment year, and who owns a beneficial interest in the parcel, and who uses that parcel as his or her principal place of residence and who applies to the District on or before July 1, 2002, or July 1, of any succeeding assessment year. Any one application from a qualified applicant will provide an exemption for the parcel for the remaining term of the assessment so long as such applicant continues to use the parcel as his or her principal residence.

Senior exemptions granted during the term of the current special assessment will be continued after reapplication and verification beginning July 1, 2002.

Section 4: The text of the measure as displayed on each individual ballot shall be abbreviated and shall read as follows:

KENTFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL PARCEL TAX ASSESSMENT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MEASURE A

To maintain excellence in Kentfield's public education by supporting superior academic core programs, attracting/retaining highly-qualified teachers, maintaining small class sizes, and enhancing technology programs, shall Kentfield School District levy parcel taxes, to replace existing assessments, at $550 per year for parcels containing one single-family residence, at rates specified in the sample ballot for all other parcels, increase rates by 5% per year, grant senior exemptions, and implement an annual financial audit, for seven years?

YES_____ NO______

The District's Superintendent, or his designee, is hereby authorized and directed to make any changes to the text of the measure, or to the abbreviated form of the measure, as may be convenient or necessary to conform to any requirement of the laws authorizing the measure to be submitted to the District's voters, or of the Marin County Clerk.

Section 5: Commencing on July 1, 2002, the special tax specified above shall be collected and administered by the County of Marin in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes are fixed, collected, and administered under provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Section 6: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code sections 50075.1 and
50075.3, the following accountability measures, among others shall apply to the special tax levied in accordance with this Resolution: (a) the specific purposes of the special tax shall be those purposes identified above; (b) the proceeds of the special tax shall be applied only to those specific purposes identified above; (c) a separate, special account shall be created into which the proceeds of the special tax must be deposited; and (d) an annual written report and financial audit shall be made to the Board of Trustees of the District showing (i) the amount of funds collected and expended from the special tax proceeds and (ii) the status of any project required or authorized to be funded from the proceeds of the special tax, as identified above.

Section 7: The Superintendent of Schools of Marin County is hereby requested to call a special election of the said special tax to be held on March 5, 2002. The County Clerk is hereby requested and authorized to: (a) set forth on all sample ballots relating to said election to be mailed to the qualified electors of the Kentfield School District said measure; (b) to provide absent voter ballots for said election for use by qualified electors of the District who are entitled thereto in the manner provided by Law; and (c) to conduct the election in accordance with all legal requirements.

Section 8: In accordance with Education Code section 5342 and Elections Code section 10402.5, it is hereby requested that the special election to be held hereunder, on March 5, 2002, be consolidated by the County Clerk and the County Board of Supervisors, for all purposes, with the statewide primary election scheduled for the same day.

Section 9: If any section, subsection, phrase or clause of this Resolution, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution, or their application to any other person or circumstance. The Board of Trustees declares that it would have adopted this Resolution and each section, subsection, phrase or clause thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, phrases or clauses, or their application to any person or circumstance, shall be declared invalid.

Section 10: The Clerk of this Board of Trustees is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the due adoption of this Resolution and to transmit a copy hereof so certified to the Superintendent of Schools of Marin County and to file a copy hereof so certified with the County Clerk of Marin County.

Section 11: Any and all members of this Board are hereby authorized to act as an author of any ballot argument prepared in connection with the election, including a rebuttal argument. The District Superintendent, President of this Board, or their designees, are hereby authorized to execute any document and to perform all acts necessary to place the special tax measure on the ballot.

The foregoing Resolution was moved by Board Member Anna Pilloton, seconded by Susan Morrow, and adopted on roll call on December 4, 2001 by the following vote:

Board Member: Robert Goldman Aye
Board Member: Katherine Horn Aye
Board Member: Ann Mathieson Aye
Board Member: Susan Morrow Aye
Board Member: Anna Pilloton Aye

AYES: 5 NOES: 0 ABSENT: 0 ABSTAIN: 0

WHEREUPON, the President declared the foregoing Resolution duly adopted and SO ORDERED.

Date: December 4, 2001

KATHERINE A. HORN
President, Board of Trustees

APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM: LOZANO SMITH

By /s/ Jeffrey L. Kuhn

Attorneys for District

The Clerk of the Kentfield School District Board of Trustees certifies to the adoption of this Resolution.

Date: December 4, 2001

SUSAN MORROW
Clerk, Board of Trustees
Kentfield School District