Parcel Tax Campaign Announces Two Prominent Davisites Have Been Named As Co-Chairs

The Vanguard received a press release from the YES on Measure W, “Yes for Our Students” campaign. It announced that Janet Berry and Judy Davis will serve as co-chairs of the Measure W campaign.

According to the release:

“Berry and Davis will be involved in the overall strategic direction of the campaign and its community outreach efforts. Janet Berry is a familiar and dedicated parent of children in Davis schools and Judy Davis is the just-retired principal of North Davis Elementary School.”

Janet Berry is acting as a private citizen on this campaign. She heads up the Davis Schools Foundation which raised $1.7 million this year to rescue the Davis schools from huge budget cuts that would have forced many teachers to lose their jobs.

Judy Davis was a very well-regarded long-time principal at North Davis Elementary School and one of the most respected principals in the district. She just retired this year after returning for one additional.

Said Judy Davis:

“It has been my great honor to be associated with Davis schools for many years. It is the involvement of parents, volunteers and the extraordinary commitment of our entire community that has made Davis public schools what they are today. However, it is really important for people to understand that state funding for schools is dropping and that there is a genuine gap between the cost of educating our students and funds from the state. It is up to us to bridge the gap. At stake is the range of diverse educational programs that are offered today. Preserving quality will be determined by a vote yes or no on Measure W. It is really that simple.”

Said Janet Berry:

“The immediate future for education funding in this state is at best unclear. Additional cuts are likely but no one knows with certainty at this time. What we do know from our collective experience this past spring is that people in Davis care about children. They are committed to public education. And they are willing to support important programs and teachers in all our schools. What we learned during this period is that there is a structural budget problem in the District and we heard over and over that people expected a structural solution, like a parcel tax. That’s what Measure W is about and why I’m personally involved in the campaign. Voting yes for Measure W will provide the long-term protection for the classroom programs we saved this spring.”

School Board Member Gina Daleiden was very excited about the selection of Ms. Berry and Ms. Davis:

“Janet and Judy have both demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their commitment to Davis schools and protecting educational opportunities in our community. We are really fortunate to have them involved in our community effort.”

Measure W will be on the ballot this November. It will place an additional $120 per parcel per year tax on Davis Residents to fund core programs like the Elementary Science, Elementary Music, librarians, a few high school teachers, and the athletic program at the high school. Without these funds, DJUSD will be announcing once again potentially deep cuts to programs and teachers.

According to both polls from the District and the Vanguard this will be a very tough election to get over the two-thirds threshold required to raise taxes. Janet Berry and Judy Davis are excellent choices to help lead up what needs to be a very strong grassroots effort.

On Wednesday, the Vanguard Radio interviewed Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin. We discussed the parcel tax, education, and the implications if this measure does not pass. Please click here to listen to the podcast.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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112 comments

  1. “Measure W will be on the ballot this November. It will place an additional $120 per parcel per year tax on Davis Residents to fund core programs like the Elementary Science, Elementary Music, librarians, a few high school teachers, and the athletic program at the high school. Without these funds, DJUSD will be announcing once again potentially deep cuts to programs and teachers.”

    According to Ms. Daleidan’s comments, anything and everything constitutes a “core program”. I suspect a goodly number of citizens are having difficulty with the School District/Board’s loose interpretation of the term “core program”.

    Even though citizens coughed up a past parcel tax, the “core programs” at Valley Oak were eliminated when the school was summarily closed – and Emerson was also slated for closure. When citizens attempted to save “core programs” at Valley Oak through the establishment of a charter school, the School Baord was not in the least bit interested. So I have to wonder just how serious these officials are about saving “core programs”, as they claim.

    It should also be noted that the proposed parcel tax is ostensibly not for keeping Emerson open. If not, why not? The usual argument is that upgrading Emerson to bring it up to code will take facilities funding, drawing from a different pot of money than that for operating expenses as in parcel tax funding.

    But what will it take to keep the physical facility of Emerson open from a legal standpoint? Probably zilch. Most likely all that is needed is operating expenses to keep Emerson legally open. That means money for teachers salaries, something that can be paid for through a parcel tax.

    If I remember correctly, the School Board argued that they would have saved a mere $600,000 by closing Emerson. Let’s see, a $20 parcel tax should about cover that.

    What we need is some straight talk:
    1) Clearly define terms, such as “core programs”;
    2) Form an independent advisory School Board Oversight Commission, not selected by friends of the school district;
    3) Have school officials sign off on financial statements, much as companies must do since the Enron scandal;
    4) Pass a regulation that forbids district employees from being employed by outside consulting firms for a period of 5 years once they have left employment with the school district.
    5) Require consistent arguments when proposed parcel taxes are being contemplated.

    Demand the institution of such reasonable reforms, or vote NO on Measure W – which soaks the taxpayer without any guarantees of better accountability. The very existence of Emerson Junior High is still at stake.

  2. “Measure W will be on the ballot this November. It will place an additional $120 per parcel per year tax on Davis Residents to fund core programs like the Elementary Science, Elementary Music, librarians, a few high school teachers, and the athletic program at the high school. Without these funds, DJUSD will be announcing once again potentially deep cuts to programs and teachers.”

    According to Ms. Daleidan’s comments, anything and everything constitutes a “core program”. I suspect a goodly number of citizens are having difficulty with the School District/Board’s loose interpretation of the term “core program”.

    Even though citizens coughed up a past parcel tax, the “core programs” at Valley Oak were eliminated when the school was summarily closed – and Emerson was also slated for closure. When citizens attempted to save “core programs” at Valley Oak through the establishment of a charter school, the School Baord was not in the least bit interested. So I have to wonder just how serious these officials are about saving “core programs”, as they claim.

    It should also be noted that the proposed parcel tax is ostensibly not for keeping Emerson open. If not, why not? The usual argument is that upgrading Emerson to bring it up to code will take facilities funding, drawing from a different pot of money than that for operating expenses as in parcel tax funding.

    But what will it take to keep the physical facility of Emerson open from a legal standpoint? Probably zilch. Most likely all that is needed is operating expenses to keep Emerson legally open. That means money for teachers salaries, something that can be paid for through a parcel tax.

    If I remember correctly, the School Board argued that they would have saved a mere $600,000 by closing Emerson. Let’s see, a $20 parcel tax should about cover that.

    What we need is some straight talk:
    1) Clearly define terms, such as “core programs”;
    2) Form an independent advisory School Board Oversight Commission, not selected by friends of the school district;
    3) Have school officials sign off on financial statements, much as companies must do since the Enron scandal;
    4) Pass a regulation that forbids district employees from being employed by outside consulting firms for a period of 5 years once they have left employment with the school district.
    5) Require consistent arguments when proposed parcel taxes are being contemplated.

    Demand the institution of such reasonable reforms, or vote NO on Measure W – which soaks the taxpayer without any guarantees of better accountability. The very existence of Emerson Junior High is still at stake.

  3. “Measure W will be on the ballot this November. It will place an additional $120 per parcel per year tax on Davis Residents to fund core programs like the Elementary Science, Elementary Music, librarians, a few high school teachers, and the athletic program at the high school. Without these funds, DJUSD will be announcing once again potentially deep cuts to programs and teachers.”

    According to Ms. Daleidan’s comments, anything and everything constitutes a “core program”. I suspect a goodly number of citizens are having difficulty with the School District/Board’s loose interpretation of the term “core program”.

    Even though citizens coughed up a past parcel tax, the “core programs” at Valley Oak were eliminated when the school was summarily closed – and Emerson was also slated for closure. When citizens attempted to save “core programs” at Valley Oak through the establishment of a charter school, the School Baord was not in the least bit interested. So I have to wonder just how serious these officials are about saving “core programs”, as they claim.

    It should also be noted that the proposed parcel tax is ostensibly not for keeping Emerson open. If not, why not? The usual argument is that upgrading Emerson to bring it up to code will take facilities funding, drawing from a different pot of money than that for operating expenses as in parcel tax funding.

    But what will it take to keep the physical facility of Emerson open from a legal standpoint? Probably zilch. Most likely all that is needed is operating expenses to keep Emerson legally open. That means money for teachers salaries, something that can be paid for through a parcel tax.

    If I remember correctly, the School Board argued that they would have saved a mere $600,000 by closing Emerson. Let’s see, a $20 parcel tax should about cover that.

    What we need is some straight talk:
    1) Clearly define terms, such as “core programs”;
    2) Form an independent advisory School Board Oversight Commission, not selected by friends of the school district;
    3) Have school officials sign off on financial statements, much as companies must do since the Enron scandal;
    4) Pass a regulation that forbids district employees from being employed by outside consulting firms for a period of 5 years once they have left employment with the school district.
    5) Require consistent arguments when proposed parcel taxes are being contemplated.

    Demand the institution of such reasonable reforms, or vote NO on Measure W – which soaks the taxpayer without any guarantees of better accountability. The very existence of Emerson Junior High is still at stake.

  4. “Measure W will be on the ballot this November. It will place an additional $120 per parcel per year tax on Davis Residents to fund core programs like the Elementary Science, Elementary Music, librarians, a few high school teachers, and the athletic program at the high school. Without these funds, DJUSD will be announcing once again potentially deep cuts to programs and teachers.”

    According to Ms. Daleidan’s comments, anything and everything constitutes a “core program”. I suspect a goodly number of citizens are having difficulty with the School District/Board’s loose interpretation of the term “core program”.

    Even though citizens coughed up a past parcel tax, the “core programs” at Valley Oak were eliminated when the school was summarily closed – and Emerson was also slated for closure. When citizens attempted to save “core programs” at Valley Oak through the establishment of a charter school, the School Baord was not in the least bit interested. So I have to wonder just how serious these officials are about saving “core programs”, as they claim.

    It should also be noted that the proposed parcel tax is ostensibly not for keeping Emerson open. If not, why not? The usual argument is that upgrading Emerson to bring it up to code will take facilities funding, drawing from a different pot of money than that for operating expenses as in parcel tax funding.

    But what will it take to keep the physical facility of Emerson open from a legal standpoint? Probably zilch. Most likely all that is needed is operating expenses to keep Emerson legally open. That means money for teachers salaries, something that can be paid for through a parcel tax.

    If I remember correctly, the School Board argued that they would have saved a mere $600,000 by closing Emerson. Let’s see, a $20 parcel tax should about cover that.

    What we need is some straight talk:
    1) Clearly define terms, such as “core programs”;
    2) Form an independent advisory School Board Oversight Commission, not selected by friends of the school district;
    3) Have school officials sign off on financial statements, much as companies must do since the Enron scandal;
    4) Pass a regulation that forbids district employees from being employed by outside consulting firms for a period of 5 years once they have left employment with the school district.
    5) Require consistent arguments when proposed parcel taxes are being contemplated.

    Demand the institution of such reasonable reforms, or vote NO on Measure W – which soaks the taxpayer without any guarantees of better accountability. The very existence of Emerson Junior High is still at stake.

  5. Two points.

    One is previously I showed exactly what the parcel tax funds in an article a few weeks ago.

    Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.

    As Delaine Eastin pointed out in the interview, the two parcel taxes are different. The 2007 parcel tax extension funds extra programs like 7th period, counseling and library services, etc. It is an extension of the types of extra programs that parcel taxes have traditionally funded. This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation. Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.

  6. Two points.

    One is previously I showed exactly what the parcel tax funds in an article a few weeks ago.

    Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.

    As Delaine Eastin pointed out in the interview, the two parcel taxes are different. The 2007 parcel tax extension funds extra programs like 7th period, counseling and library services, etc. It is an extension of the types of extra programs that parcel taxes have traditionally funded. This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation. Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.

  7. Two points.

    One is previously I showed exactly what the parcel tax funds in an article a few weeks ago.

    Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.

    As Delaine Eastin pointed out in the interview, the two parcel taxes are different. The 2007 parcel tax extension funds extra programs like 7th period, counseling and library services, etc. It is an extension of the types of extra programs that parcel taxes have traditionally funded. This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation. Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.

  8. Two points.

    One is previously I showed exactly what the parcel tax funds in an article a few weeks ago.

    Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.

    As Delaine Eastin pointed out in the interview, the two parcel taxes are different. The 2007 parcel tax extension funds extra programs like 7th period, counseling and library services, etc. It is an extension of the types of extra programs that parcel taxes have traditionally funded. This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation. Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.

  9. “This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation.”

    What “core programs”? Elementary Music? After-school athletics? Da Vinci? These are not “core programs” in my book. I know, I know, someone is going to comment that Mandarin Chinese 4 is a “core program”. How about elementary school gardening to grow 35 lb cabbages? That was considered important enough to include as necessary to fund in a previous parcel tax.

    This is the problem with the parcel tax – it becomes a moving target, shifting arguments constantly with clever wording. Think about it. If something is labeled as a “core program”, it appears to have more legitimacy. I want a more clearcut and professional def’n of the term “core program”.

    “Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.”

    The point is still the same – passing parcel taxes does not save “core programs”. It only saves programs the School Board/District decide they want to label as “core programs”.

    Why isn’t Emerson a “core program” worth saving? The citizens have already spoken on that issue, and have made it very clear this is what they want.

    It is the arbitrary and capricious way the School District/Board uses terms of art, or formulates arguments, or uses various tactics that make it very difficult for citizens to have much faith in what they do.

    As of now, based on what I am hearing, I would vote NO on W. Yet I would vote for a $20 parcel tax to save Emerson. Think about it.

    “Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.”

    But isn’t there time to change the minds of the School Board/District on what should be included in this latest parcel tax – like keeping Emerson open, for example? Or are you saying that discussion is closed, the School Board/District has already decided?

    Funny how that works. The School Board/District sticks its proverbial finger in the wind, decides which way its blowing, ignores what they learned, then ask for more than what the public will tolerate. And you wonder why we don’t trust these people??? Yikes, its a wonder you do!

  10. “This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation.”

    What “core programs”? Elementary Music? After-school athletics? Da Vinci? These are not “core programs” in my book. I know, I know, someone is going to comment that Mandarin Chinese 4 is a “core program”. How about elementary school gardening to grow 35 lb cabbages? That was considered important enough to include as necessary to fund in a previous parcel tax.

    This is the problem with the parcel tax – it becomes a moving target, shifting arguments constantly with clever wording. Think about it. If something is labeled as a “core program”, it appears to have more legitimacy. I want a more clearcut and professional def’n of the term “core program”.

    “Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.”

    The point is still the same – passing parcel taxes does not save “core programs”. It only saves programs the School Board/District decide they want to label as “core programs”.

    Why isn’t Emerson a “core program” worth saving? The citizens have already spoken on that issue, and have made it very clear this is what they want.

    It is the arbitrary and capricious way the School District/Board uses terms of art, or formulates arguments, or uses various tactics that make it very difficult for citizens to have much faith in what they do.

    As of now, based on what I am hearing, I would vote NO on W. Yet I would vote for a $20 parcel tax to save Emerson. Think about it.

    “Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.”

    But isn’t there time to change the minds of the School Board/District on what should be included in this latest parcel tax – like keeping Emerson open, for example? Or are you saying that discussion is closed, the School Board/District has already decided?

    Funny how that works. The School Board/District sticks its proverbial finger in the wind, decides which way its blowing, ignores what they learned, then ask for more than what the public will tolerate. And you wonder why we don’t trust these people??? Yikes, its a wonder you do!

  11. “This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation.”

    What “core programs”? Elementary Music? After-school athletics? Da Vinci? These are not “core programs” in my book. I know, I know, someone is going to comment that Mandarin Chinese 4 is a “core program”. How about elementary school gardening to grow 35 lb cabbages? That was considered important enough to include as necessary to fund in a previous parcel tax.

    This is the problem with the parcel tax – it becomes a moving target, shifting arguments constantly with clever wording. Think about it. If something is labeled as a “core program”, it appears to have more legitimacy. I want a more clearcut and professional def’n of the term “core program”.

    “Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.”

    The point is still the same – passing parcel taxes does not save “core programs”. It only saves programs the School Board/District decide they want to label as “core programs”.

    Why isn’t Emerson a “core program” worth saving? The citizens have already spoken on that issue, and have made it very clear this is what they want.

    It is the arbitrary and capricious way the School District/Board uses terms of art, or formulates arguments, or uses various tactics that make it very difficult for citizens to have much faith in what they do.

    As of now, based on what I am hearing, I would vote NO on W. Yet I would vote for a $20 parcel tax to save Emerson. Think about it.

    “Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.”

    But isn’t there time to change the minds of the School Board/District on what should be included in this latest parcel tax – like keeping Emerson open, for example? Or are you saying that discussion is closed, the School Board/District has already decided?

    Funny how that works. The School Board/District sticks its proverbial finger in the wind, decides which way its blowing, ignores what they learned, then ask for more than what the public will tolerate. And you wonder why we don’t trust these people??? Yikes, its a wonder you do!

  12. “This parcel tax is different, it funds core programs that would have been cut last spring without help from the schools foundation.”

    What “core programs”? Elementary Music? After-school athletics? Da Vinci? These are not “core programs” in my book. I know, I know, someone is going to comment that Mandarin Chinese 4 is a “core program”. How about elementary school gardening to grow 35 lb cabbages? That was considered important enough to include as necessary to fund in a previous parcel tax.

    This is the problem with the parcel tax – it becomes a moving target, shifting arguments constantly with clever wording. Think about it. If something is labeled as a “core program”, it appears to have more legitimacy. I want a more clearcut and professional def’n of the term “core program”.

    “Second, Valley Oak was closed prior to the Parcel Tax being passed in 2007.”

    The point is still the same – passing parcel taxes does not save “core programs”. It only saves programs the School Board/District decide they want to label as “core programs”.

    Why isn’t Emerson a “core program” worth saving? The citizens have already spoken on that issue, and have made it very clear this is what they want.

    It is the arbitrary and capricious way the School District/Board uses terms of art, or formulates arguments, or uses various tactics that make it very difficult for citizens to have much faith in what they do.

    As of now, based on what I am hearing, I would vote NO on W. Yet I would vote for a $20 parcel tax to save Emerson. Think about it.

    “Unfortunately the spending for parcel taxes is locked in for the specific programs that are listed on the ballot at the time of passage.”

    But isn’t there time to change the minds of the School Board/District on what should be included in this latest parcel tax – like keeping Emerson open, for example? Or are you saying that discussion is closed, the School Board/District has already decided?

    Funny how that works. The School Board/District sticks its proverbial finger in the wind, decides which way its blowing, ignores what they learned, then ask for more than what the public will tolerate. And you wonder why we don’t trust these people??? Yikes, its a wonder you do!

  13. The fundamental lesson in education that we teach our kids early on is THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET!!! What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire? And these people are educating our kids?

    Homeschooling and vouchers is looking better and better.

  14. The fundamental lesson in education that we teach our kids early on is THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET!!! What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire? And these people are educating our kids?

    Homeschooling and vouchers is looking better and better.

  15. The fundamental lesson in education that we teach our kids early on is THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET!!! What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire? And these people are educating our kids?

    Homeschooling and vouchers is looking better and better.

  16. The fundamental lesson in education that we teach our kids early on is THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET!!! What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire? And these people are educating our kids?

    Homeschooling and vouchers is looking better and better.

  17. It’s hard to live within a budget when you get between $2 million and $4.5 million pulled out of it.

    “What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire?”

    I guess I take exception to the comment constant increases. The district passed a parcel tax in 2003. That parcel tax expired, it was then placed before the voters again in 2007 with a COLA that accounted for inflation to raise the cost to $200. So from the standpoint of the taxpayer and the district, that was essentially revenue neutral.

    The district then faces a loss from declining enrollment–one year to another, combined with a loss in state revenue and a loss of state COLA which enables them generally to account for inflation and increases to salaries based on the inflation. So now they are asking to supplement the loss of state money with an influx of local money. Basically a transfer.

    So it is not a matter that they are not living within their means, it is a matter that they are trying to keep staffing and programs at the previous levels after having revenue cut from the state in three different forms.

  18. It’s hard to live within a budget when you get between $2 million and $4.5 million pulled out of it.

    “What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire?”

    I guess I take exception to the comment constant increases. The district passed a parcel tax in 2003. That parcel tax expired, it was then placed before the voters again in 2007 with a COLA that accounted for inflation to raise the cost to $200. So from the standpoint of the taxpayer and the district, that was essentially revenue neutral.

    The district then faces a loss from declining enrollment–one year to another, combined with a loss in state revenue and a loss of state COLA which enables them generally to account for inflation and increases to salaries based on the inflation. So now they are asking to supplement the loss of state money with an influx of local money. Basically a transfer.

    So it is not a matter that they are not living within their means, it is a matter that they are trying to keep staffing and programs at the previous levels after having revenue cut from the state in three different forms.

  19. It’s hard to live within a budget when you get between $2 million and $4.5 million pulled out of it.

    “What lesson are we teaching them when the school board does not have to do this and can count on constant increases to pull them out of the fire?”

    I guess I take exception to the comment constant increases. The district passed a parcel tax in 2003. That parcel tax expired, it was then placed before the voters again in 2007 with a COLA that accounted for inflation to raise the cost to $200. So from the standpoint of the taxpayer and the district, that was essentially revenue neutral.

    The district then faces a loss from declining enrollment–one year to another, combined with a loss in state revenue and a loss of state COLA which enables them generally to account for inflation and increases to salaries based on the inflation. So now they are asking to supplement the loss of state money with an influx of local money. Basically a transfer.

    So it is not a matter that they are not living within their means, it is a matter that they are trying to keep staffing and programs at the previous levels after having revenue cut from the state in three different forms.