Hermosa considers parcel tax for schools

First we "just wanted some money" to referb the building and build a gym/auditorium/multipurpose room. And we gave 30% of that to the consulting firm. After almost endless stupidity, we've blown all of that money. Last year we wanted another $13 million, for more construction. And the voters said "No". Regarding this parcel tax, what are you people smoking at the school district? "Its for the children" is just not provoking the kneejerk agreement that it used to. Why do we have a principal and a superintendent for a district with ONE school? Why do we have 60 employees? Why are the financials not posted on the district's web site? How much of this "parcel tax" goes to the consultants? After all, "its just tax money, it's not like real money." Color me "NO" on any more money unless you can actually find someone educated enough to make a persuasive and factual pitch.(Note: that includes lots of facts, financial disclosures including salaries, and not just ripping down yard signs or whining about how much we need it.)

Parent and community-based donations/fundraising should always be appreciated. But, it is best that public school systems garner funds from the electorate they serve through means other than education foundations, which add more politics to an already heated educational-political climate.

Figure out a way for the school to tax alcohol being sold in Hermosa's downtown,and you will have more money than you ever dreamed of. Hermosa bar owners are raking it in. The city makes nothing off of booze being sold in the bar town and in fact it is costing the city millions per year after all the expenses are paid -- for the cops, the paramedics and all the other related bureaucratic stuff to keep the Hermosa liquor purveyors in the green. Did not the mayor just write that the city is in great fiscal shape? What city is he talking about? Hermosa school board and city council administration are basically out to lunch folk. Tax will be defeated.

Every year the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation asks for more money with their newsletter. Let's face it, they will spend whatever amount they can collect with no restraint.
The district built the new classrooms and gym at a great cost.
The school's standardized test scores are about as high as they can get; it is time for the district to be satisfied with what they have and work with that.

What did the last failed bond measure A cost the school district?

What will this failed parcel tax measure cost the school district?

They evidently have money to burn. And like the first comment said, Yes, why don't they post all their financial stuff on the Internet? What are they hiding?

And why should seniors be exempted from such a tax? They are the richest people in Hermosa Beach. Oh, that's right, they'll be exempted because they are the ones known to vote, and thus be the ones to vote to tax everyone else.

Seniors Exempted- If you check the demographics through the Census Bureau for 90254 you will find very few seniors living in Hermosa Beach. Their houses were torn-down to build the condos that are occupied by the renters that will end-up paying the "Parcel Tax" when the owners pass through the added costs.
The residents of Hermosa Beach with children are in the highest income group in the country, this is another example of how the city is run for the benefit of a few people.

No one in their right mind wants to vote for more taxes, as we as an electorate are sick of lack of accountability and the huge distance between our dollars and the people spending them. That is NOT the case with the Hermosa parcel tax and its time the whining stopped and people face facts.

1. The money stays local and goes right to the school. That is the huge difference as the rest of our taxes go to Washington and Sacramento, where all the whining is indeed justified. This is NOT the issue with which to voice your overall disgust with our political system.

2. As it stays local, the "whiners" can actually do something..like run for school board, attend meetings,set up oversight comitttess and run for city council etc. As opposed to a useless just saying no and hope someone else figures it out.

3. Unfortunately, we live in a state that throws money away in epic quantities and is highly taxed. It is also correct to say that state school budgets are grossly overladen with administration costs, particularly healthcare and pension. But there is NOTHING that we can do about it unless some miracle of political will occurs at the state level. Not likely. So we must face facts - if we want great schools in our town and want to keep property values high and you are kidding yourself if you think the two are not linked - then we must raise money locally for our local schools. It is not a "political" issue..its just a simple fact.

4. That brings us to the inevitable "fairness issue." While I personally think the level of participation in Hermosa is pathetic as far as school fund raising, it is a fact that 20% of the people put up 90% of the money. This parcel tax in a small way creates a more level playing field and removes the annual crisis around fund raising, which creates complexity and additional costs in an attempt to intellingently plan.

5. I would also suggest that more money has been wasted with lawsuits against the school district and its officials than has been wasted in recent building projects. Having gone to all the meetings, I am sick of the ignorance: has anyone BOTHERED to look at the prices of steel, concrete, aggregates and fuel in the past 4 years? While I am sure that public administration is never the most efficient, the fact is that these costs have been the biggest factor in building costs, not idiotic management. Oh, did anyone bother to calculate the additional material costs incurred from what was supposed to be the original day of construction vs the lawsuit dictated date?

6. Lastly, the new building is gorgeous, the kids love it and it frankly makes our existing building look like crap..but thats another bond issue!:)

So voters, if you don't feel the pull of community ,or of education excellent, then think in the enlightened height of your own self interest - good schools equal high property values.