3,763 / 81.3% Yes votes ...... 863 / 18.7% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The District has committed that no such qualified special tax funds would be for administrator salaries and that all such funds would remain within the District to benefit local children.

The District has committed to exempt from the special tax each individual who applies to the District for exemption and who both is 65 years or over and owns and occupies as a principal residence a parcel (a unit of land within the District that receives a separate tax bill).

The District has committed to follow the accountability measures of sections 50075.1 and 50075.3 of the California Government Code and to establish and appoint members to an independent citizens oversight committee to ensure the proper expenditure of the qualified special tax funds.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "D4". If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the district elections official's office at (818) 735-3212 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

The recent state budget crisis resulted in significant budget cuts to our neighborhood schools. The school district has reduced administration and non-teaching staff to the minimum levels required to ensure student safety and provide basic educational services. There is no more administration to cut and no untapped sources of funding. Future cuts will directly impact classroom instruction *- meaning significant teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and reductions in valued educational programs.

Measure D4, a temporary school assessment, will provide funds to maintain essential programs and preserve academic performance. Specifically, Measure D4 will provide funds to avoid reductions in teaching staff, retain qualified/experienced teachers, avoid increases in class sizes, maintain up-to-date textbooks/classroom supplies, preserve music/art education, and maintain college prep/honors courses.

To minimize the cost of Measure D4 to taxpayers, the district has reduced the amount property owners pay each year to retire school facility bonds. As a result, the net cost of Measure D4 to the average homeowner is only about $6 per month.

The cost of Measure D4 is deductible on state and federal taxes. Seniors are eligible for an exemption. Measure D4 is limited to 5 years and cannot be extended without voter approval. An independent citizens oversight committee will ensure Measure D4 funds are properly spent.

All Measure D4 funds will remain in Oak Park to benefit local children. No funds can be taken away by the State. Good schools help keep our property values high and help maintain the quality of life in our community.

PLEASE VOTE YES ON MEASURE D4.

s/Cindy Vinson, President Oak Park Unified Board of Education
s/Wayne Blasman, Chairman - Friends of Oak Park Schools
s/Theodore (Ted) Dahl, Friends of Oak Park Schools
s/Susan Alien, Teacher OVHS/Parent
s/Steven Iceland, Chairman - Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee