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Published on 09/23/1996 All articles from this issue

Low enrollment, possible parcel tax increase subjects of LASD meeting

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By Kristina Allen / Town Crier Staff Writer

Possible budget cuts due to low enrollment and consideration of a parcel tax increase were among the topics discussed at the Los Altos School District (LASD) board meeting on Sept. 16.

To date, student enrollment in LASD is down 100 students from budget projections, said Superintendent Marge Gratiot. Since the district receives money per student from the state, the missing students will cost the district money.

"We didn't get our usual walk-in (student) influx after the first day of school," Gratiot said.

At the end of the 1995-96 school year, the board voted to allow inter-district transfer students into LASD on a space- available basis. Those students who are on the request list are being called to see if they would like to attend school in LASD, according to Randall Kenyon, assistant superintendent of business management.

If enrollment continues to be low the district will have to negotiate $450,000 worth of cuts to the current budget.

"These cuts have to implemented to have a balanced budget," Kenyon said. "There is some one-time state funding of about $300,000 available to us to defray some of these added expenses."

At the Oct. 7 meeting the district and board will have updated information and possible options for a solution.

The Citizen's Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF) recommended that the board consider asking voters for an increase in the parcel tax. These funds are used to pay for classroom teachers to continue class size reduction, keep school libraries open, provide textbooks, science materials and music instruction, improve custodial services and for facilities and equipment improvements.

"The parcel tax generates $1.9 million annually, approximately 11 percent of the district's budget," Gratiot said in a newsletter to parents.

The current parcel tax is $168 per parcel and has not been increased for eight years, according to the CACF.

The parcel tax must go to the voters for renewal every four years and the spring of 1997 is the current date for renewal.

The CACF members represent local businesses and civic organizations who examine the district's budget at least annually, and make recommendations for changes and adjustments. They also oversee the expenditure of the parcel tax funds.

"We would like the board to put the increase on the June ballot instead of March because the holidays make it difficult to get volunteers to help," Dick Hasenflug, CACF president, said. "We estimate that an increase of less than $100 a parcel per year would enable the district to keep its strong educational program intact."