Measure G Renewal In Livermore Schools Coming Up May 3

LIVERMORE, CA — A Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District special parcel tax known as Measure G expires on June 30 .

Now on the ballot as Measure A, renewal of Measure G at the same rate and process is up for vote May 3.

The district approved the seven-year tax in 2014 and it went into effect in 2015. The parcel tax is $138 per year on each parcel of taxable property.

The vote has to pass with a two-thirds majority.

The district says the money goes to attracting and retaining teachers, keeping classroom technology and instructional materials up to date and maintaining class sizes. It also says the tax, effective since 2004, provides other financial support to maintain the district programs, including purchasing equipment, materials and supplies.

The measure says the Board of Education has to create an account for this money and it should only go to these purposes.

Marcus Crawley, president of the Alameda County Taxpayers Association, submitted an argument against the measure, overall stating that the money does not go to support education but rather bureaucracy.

“Don't be misled by the empty promises of this new tax. More than half of Measure G funds were spent on bureaucratic specialists. Parents, students and taxpayers want teachers, not more bureaucrats,” he said on the opposition form.

In response to that, Michelle Dawson with LVJUSD refers the community to the measure's fact sheet.

“The fact sheet outlines specifically what the funds are used for and it is very clear. We don't validate these claims because we have very factual detailed reports and data that we share openly with the public about how that money is spent. The majority is for teachers and STEM education," she said.

If it passes, the $138 parcel tax will continue. Seniors over 65 who own a home are exempt from the tax and will remain exempt. It will be collected by the Alameda County and Contra Costa County Tax Collectors at the same time and in the same manner as property taxes are collected, Alameda County said.

Call the Elections Official's office at (510) 272-6933, to have a copy of Measure A mailed to your home.

Patch is waiting to hear back from Crawley on a request for comment.