001One. Approval of the provisional internship permit, PIP. Requests for Kara Kling to teach preschool inclusion. For South County Consortium for 25-26 school year. Jason. So, we, um… This is one of two, uh, provisional internship permits that we're bringing forward. And it is for preschool inclusion, a hard-to-fill position, and we're… Uh, hoping that we can get this approved to bring this teacher in in time to teach the class. All right, any comments? Any questions? Okay, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed, no opposition. Uh, the approval passes. Uh, and then the second approval of provisional… of the PIP request for Maria Moltenato to teach transitional kindergarten at Valley Vista Waldorf School. For 25, 26. Same thing. Same thing. Okay. Alright, I need a motion. I move to approve the PIP. Uh, any questions? All
002those in favor? Aye. All right, on to the approval of the Resolution 252602. Calling an election for approval of an education parcel tax. Establishing specifications of the election order. And requesting consolidation with any other elections occurring on November 4th. 2025. Matthew. So I think… hey, Meredith. And is Ellen on… on Zoom as well? Okay. I just want to just give some… a little bit of backstory, Ryan and I were going… went back and forth over the weekend. Is this… yeah. Um… And I think we're in a unique… time right… time period right now, and I want to give a little bit of background, and then just kind of open it up. And I also have… since we've talked and discussed some other concerns have come up, and so… I'm honestly… I'm struggling a little bit
003right now with this as well, so let's talk it through and kind of see where everybody feels like we're at. So, as I shared during the budget study session, um, when I started as superintendent, you know, 2021. Speaking to the entire district staff at the football field at Panama High School, saying. This is great… this is great right now, the federal government's giving us, you know, millions of dollars over the next three. It turned out to be four years. The state came in and gave some additional money. We've received… well over $10 million in the last. Four years of one-time funding from the federal government and state government. And the idea is with one-time funding, is to not use it to pay for people, people who eat and breathe. Um, we know that that's not
004best practice, and we know that at the time, that's what our students needed. That's what our… that's what our district needed, that's what our community needed. We added more. Nurses, we added more mental health staff, we had added more reading specialists, we added more stu… we added student advisors at all the elementary schools. We added more trusted adults on our campuses, student and family engagement coordinator, on and on and on, creating experiences and ways for. Our students to reconnect and build those… build those connections. We were in the middle of a mental health crisis. That kind of continued to go on. We're seeing it lessen and lessen as time goes on. And it's still a high concern for us. So… this past year. Um, not only… I feel like when I left one community, or
005one country and came back to another, one community came back to a different community. The… the… funding gap. So not only did the federal government and state government say, sorry, no more one-time money to take care of the pandemic, the post-pandemic needs of students. They actually were starting to try to claw back money from last year that was already budgeted and already spent. That money has been released, but we still haven't seen the money yet, so… We'll… I'll believe it when we see it. Um, and then as far as this current fiscal year, and for… moving forward. It's beyond uncertain what we're going to be getting from the federal government, and some of the. The deferrals that the state is talking about. So. But the one-time money to deal with the impacts of the pandemic
006are… the valve has been shut off. And so, that leaves us in a situation when, going back to standing before the group at Panama High School, I said, this is great times, we… I mean, it was terrible times, actually. We were all sitting in the football field outside with masks on, because it was… it was a terrible, terrible time. But funding-wise, we were getting funding to hire staff. And I remember saying, in 3 or 4 years from now, you're all gonna hate me because… hate us, because we're gonna have to reduce positions. To get back to where we were. Pre-one-time funding. And, uh, when we calculate it out, Amanda, right, she brings to about the number, 15%, so our staffing has gone up approximately 15% since pre-pandemic to post-pandemic. We have reduced some. But we
007have a lot still to go. The calculation at the budget study session was about $5 million. Which is why we were told, if we don't cut a million dollars. Right now, you're gonna be in a world of trouble. So we… we were able to. The board was able to… we did a million dollars in reductions. Knowing that $1 million right now is the equivalent of $2 million for next year. So, that leaves us with approximately $3 million that we're gonna have to reduce. So, all that to say. We can spend the next few months, right, I'm just envisioning. Um… Budget Advisory Committee. And LCAP, bringing them together, and having three… three… the next 3 or 4 months. Basically talking about. Gloom and doom, and… all the reductions and things that we're gonna have to make.
008Well, I should also say, and also in the meantime, we have moved from a six-period day to a 7-period day. Needing to add approximately 18 teachers. Um, so our costs are going up, and our funding is… they've taken away the one-time funding, and there's uncertainty for the future. So, all that to say, we can have this… this conversation about gloom and doom, we can talk about. Reducing here and trying to get as much savings as we possibly can. Or, in the alternative, if we kind of flip it on its head, what Ryan and I discussed was. We could put this out to the community. We know that… about a year and a half ago, I can't remember now. About a year and a half ago, a couple years ago, we went out for parcel tax,
009elementary parcel tax, and secondary parcel tax. We know that we're two school districts, technically. We function, essentially, we function as one Petal in the City Schools. When we think about reserves, our reserves are… the elementary and secondary together. Um, the elementary passed, and the secondary one. Had a large majority of voters who voted to say, yes, we want to tax ourselves because we support public education. 64%, approximately 64% of voters said, yes, we want to. We want to tax ourselves because we care about public education. We missed it by 2.6%, 2.7%, whatever it was. So the idea is, now with the political landscape sort of shifting. Knowing that the one-time funding is gone, we could say we could go out to the public, to our community, and say, instead of talking about… and it's not
010to say that we're not going to have to make any reductions, because we probably still will. But the pain points in our schools and the adults, the trusted adults in our schools. I think would be… well, I know, would be much… lessened if we… started to receive some funding, some parcel tax funding from, um, from our community. And so the conversation kind of stemmed from that, and… I think that, um… The timing of this is very interesting, because on one hand, it's really, it's really great timing, because if we were able to pass a parcel tax. Let's say it's, you know, what we had put on there was 129, that would bring in about $3 million. Um, November's a great time because it's actually very, very quick. And we would know, as far as the
011positions that we'd be reducing, we could say, hey, if this passes in November. Is gonna be… look very, very different than what we're gonna have to reduce and what we're not gonna have to reduce. And we could message that to our community. On the other hand, it's a very strange time to be doing this, because… It's certainly something that was not even on my radar about doing until we just talked, like, literally till this weekend. Um, because… There are some challenges, there are some real challenges with doing this, and I want to make sure that we're all clear about that. And that's why I said even in the last few hours, I've learned some things that. Make me concerned. So, the concern is, and I don't want to play roulette with… like, we have to
012be very careful with, you know, every single dollar in our district account… in district funds. So, going out for a… and this is where, Meredith, at some point, I'll have you jump in. So, Meredith's our attorney who specializes in this, so I want her to hear her opinion as well. But my understanding is that. If… so, right now, we're not 100% sure that the governor is going to be… calling a special election, right? He said he's going to. The legislature, you know, everything that's happening in Texas and in D.C, and I don't know for sure, but it sounds like he's very… much planning to do it. Ryan, you know more about this, too. But let's say… We passed this tonight. We would have until August 13th. To pull it back. If we go… you know,
013the… registered voters say, hey, we're actually going to pull this, we're not gonna, we're not gonna run it. If we try to run this on our own. The voter turnout, it's gonna be a totally different show, right? If the governor doesn't run this special election. If he runs a special election. We're gonna have people coming out of the woodwork to vote for… on this kind of thing. Short of that, it's gonna be a very low turnout of an election. Not to say that we couldn't pass it. But our costs go from… and this is where, Amanda, you have to help me, I know… I know the approximate numbers. If… if we do this. In… we piggytail on with the governor's special election, it would cost our district about $135,000? So, the range, and this is
014for Sonoma County only, we do not have the Marin, because we do have 198 parcels in Marin, so we do not have those costs at this time. But it would be roughly the Sonoma County election costs would be from $166. To 444,000, depending on. How many people, um, have things on the ballot. That does not include. Any additional fees for legal and consultants and… vendors and things like that. So is it safe to say that 166 is if… is… if we were to be on the ballot with. The, um, the governor and state. With their resolution, or 444 is if we're just by ourselves. Yes, but it's a whole range from, like, $3 to $8 per registered voter. So, it depends on if it was just us and. The state election. I don't know that
015that would bring the cost down to $166. It could be somewhere in between. The, um, we paid just under 160… about $150 is what we paid for the parcel tax measure. 2024? Yeah. Or, yes. Was… there wasn't… Was there anything else on the… on that ballot? That was the March primary. Oh, okay. Yeah. Which is why it was… that's about what we… we'll be looking at just a little bit more than that. If… if we were on with someone else. And now, here's the… here's the real kicker, is that… We have until August 13th to pull it. The legislature is off right now until August 18th. And the governor has until August 22nd? To decide whether this is gonna go on the ballot or not. And that's where Ryan and Meredith, I'd just love to
016hear discussion. Because it's just… there's… there's… much more uncertainty than… I had originally kind of been anticipating, so just want to hear the discussion, and then before we even think about, you know, moving this kind of thing forward, so… About what? Sure, yeah, yeah, yeah, great idea. Um, we did reach out to the county today, and there is potential, um, for uniform district elections. There are 7 special districts that could go to the ballot on November 4th. The candidate nomination period closes this Friday at 5. But if any of the special district offices. Where the incumbent hasn't filed by the deadline, that will extend until Wednesday, August 13th at 5 p.m, so this. The same day that we would have to let them know. Meredith, do you wanna… is this a good time for you
017to kind of just add and. Clarify and make sure that we're all. We have all the information. You too, it's very nice to see you, Superintendent Harris. Welcome back. Thank you. See you too. Um, yeah, your dates are correct. It's, it's, as you say, it's a bit kind of fuzzy. We don't really know what's going to happen. The statewide election is supposedly going to be triggered by whatever happens in Texas. Um, as you said. Clearly, you're in a much better position if the statewide election happens, because then you have those energized. Democrats who tend to vote yes on parcel taxes also, who are going to come out to the ballot anyway. And even if. You know, depending on how much time and money there is for any kind of information campaign for you to actually
018educate the folks in the community that this. The partial taxes on the ballot. If that effort isn't too large, those voters will be there anyway, if there's a statewide election. It's a very different picture if there's not a statewide election, because that means that the efforts that are necessary on our part are much greater. Um, and as you know, because I am very familiar with campaigns, it's been done many in the last. Uh, 18 months, I guess. The district can provide information. You can tell the voters what's on the ballot and why it's on the ballot, and how it will be used. You can't try and sway their vote. But in a parcel tax election, information's really important, so getting out to the community and letting them know. Um, that this measures on the ballot
019is important, and as Amanda mentioned, it's going to cost some money. So, in addition to those election costs. Um, there might be some expenses that you bear that help. Let folks know that this measure is on the ballot, and the opportunity to vote on it is. Happening on November 4th. Um, and also, as you mentioned, the timing is not great. You have until November 13th to pull the measure. The governor and the legislature have… Yeah. August. August. And I think… I think even I read today that it goes… if they… if the legislature doesn't create their special legislation by November 22nd, there is another method they have of going forward. That takes a little bit even longer. None of that matters, because November 22nd is past our… sorry, August 22nd is past our August 13th.
020Withdrawal deadline. I think those are the considerations really in front of us. Right. And the other thing, Meredith, and correct me if I'm wrong, so that… because this is… this is something else I've been hearing, is that. Um… If… if we were to put this… send this to the registered voters before the Friday… this Friday deadline, right? Because this is this Friday is the deadline for us to submit. We… if we have it in by Friday, we will go. Right. With… on November 4th. Or some… I know that there's also some language in the bill around nothing else can be put on the bill except this one item, so… But Charles seemed to think that, no, no, no, if you have it in by Friday on the deadline, it will go with… it will go
021on… on November 4th. Yeah, no, you're right, and I believe in the recall election a few years back, there was some language like that as well that said that that could be the only thing on the ballot. Um, I don't think… I think you're right that I don't think the registrar is going to pull your measure. And… or alternatively, they would separate the elections. You know, we call it one election, like, it's one date and everybody votes on the same date, but every. Item on the ballot is a separate election. So the registrar also has the ability to call separate elections on the same date. I don't think there's… I don't think there's a risk. I… That if you filed it. The registrar wouldn't put it in front of the voters. Got it. Um, what
022about the cost if she does two separate elections? Would that impact our costs? Would we be basically funding our own. Measure. As if… yeah. There was a whole list… As Amanda referenced, there's a whole list that the registrar provided to us of what goes into determining the cost. It had things like how many pages. Uh, if anyone files an argument in favor of how many pages the argument in favor is. So there's… there's… it's a really long, detailed list of what the costs are. But I think, yes, if they separate the elections, that probably increases cost. Thank you. Sure. All right, so cost estimates that are impacted by various factors, many of which. Are not impacted by turnout, so these would be just cost. Um, what other jurisdictions might be going to election. Number of
023pages for analysis. Total number of printed pages… Whether there are arguments and rebuttals. How much time to typeset, proof, translate. So we actually pay for their time, also. Um, costs for mailing… voter notification cards, costs for ballot typesetting, proofing, printing, mailing. Envelope, paper, postage. How many poll workers are needed, what rent available, um, what rent centers might charge for. The voting centers, um. Faxed ballots. Legal notices required, number of ballots that are returned as undeliverable, we would have to pay for. Um, costs that are impacted by turnout. The number of people who return ballots by mail, because we pay… we would be paying return postage. How many replacement ballots are needed, number of extra help needed to process returned vote-by-mail ballots. How many vote center supplies are used from ballot paper to ballot toner and
024all of that. So. It… we did not receive the final bill for the past elections. It was months. Like, 6 months later, so… But the total cost for the previous election was. So for the… the… Secondary was… I'm gonna… I'm gonna mute, and I'm gonna pull… I act… I'm gonna pull it up real. Okay. Um. If I may jump in for one second, there was one correction. Um, based on my knowledge. The way that the governors and the state leaders are proposing their ballot measure. Is not… they are gonna… As of this afternoon. They're moving forward with the November 4th special election. Newsom had a press conference on Monday reiterating the same. But the ballot measure itself will have language saying that the law or the new maps will only go into effect. If Texas
025or whatever, there'll be a trigger. The election itself will not be triggered by Texas. They will be moving forward with the election, but the law slash maps will be triggered by. Whatever Texas does, or… other states. I think they're still describing that. So, as of this moment. Um, you know, and things are changing quickly. Uh, that is… how it would be set up. Um. And I have heard the same… it's something by the governor and legislature will make a decision by the end of August. It's on the same timeline as the. Recall, which was about 67 days prior to the election, which is, you know, the end of the month. Um, so that's my understanding, yeah. I would just say, if… The way I was originally envisioning this, when we put it on. To come
026and have a conversation today. To do a special election? If… If this was for sure, that the governor was putting this on. And it would be shared costs. And we'd have a big turnout. My… what I would say to you all is… this was not on my radar. I was… I… Personally, don't really want to do this. But I think it's… it's right, and it's the right thing to do for our students and for our community. Because instead of… There's so much, um, there's so much anxiety, there's so much finger-pointing, there's so much… People are so upset right now with so many things. It feels to me like a very productive. Outlet in a productive thing to do that would actually keep more of our trusted adults on our campuses. And so, it's not something
027that I'm, like. Yeah, parcel tax, let's do this, I'm so excited, but I think it's the right thing for students, and this is… this is the time, and this is the place, and this is the right… the right group of people who can make that decision, and make it happen. And so I would say, yes, I think we should do it. With all the uncertainty that I was starting to think about, I'm going, I don't know if it's the right thing to do. And so… that's where I… some kind of some self-doubt came in and said, I… you know, if we… if we move forward with this. And on the 13th. We still don't have real clarity, then maybe there's something that we… you guys say, hey, if it's… if we don't know for sure
028that the election's happening. Then, Matthew, just pull… let's pull this. But… so… I don't know, I'm just thinking… I'm just thinking right now. So would you recommendation be… Um, possibly, to… Um, after discussion. Um, take a vote on the resolution. And if it passes. With the caveat that if we don't know for sure. About the November 4th election, special election for the state. That we rescinded August 13th. Is that kind of what you're… That's what I'm thinking, and I'm just not sure if we'll know by then. I mean… Yeah, it doesn't seem like… I don't know. We're gonna know by then. It's okay. So, I need comments. Yeah. I was going to say, um. This is a news article that came out last night. It quotes. The California Secretary of State's office confirmed Tuesday that
029in order for there to be redistricting. Special election on the November 4th ballot, state lawmakers need to declare it by August 22nd, so. Though Newsom has declared it, I think. We still won't know. We will not know by August 13th, because the… they have to declare it, and they are on recess until the 18th, so unless they came back early. What we may know on the 13th is of other special election districts. Within the county are moving forward. To add one more complicating factor. This is not your last opportunity. I'm not sure if the timeline has been shared with you, but the county sets tax rates every August. So, if the measure were put on the November ballot, and it passed. The, um, partial tax would be added to the 26-27 tax rule. So next
030August, the county would add. The taxes and collect them by December. Right. So, you could put a parcel tax measure on the ballot. In June of 2026 and still meet that deadline. Yeah. Can you repeat that? Yes. So, because of the timing of the way the tax roll works and the way property tax bills are sent out to property tax owners. A parcel tax that passes in November of 2025. Doesn't actually hit the property tax bill until fiscal year 2026-27. Great. In August of 2026, the county would add an amount for your parcel tax to tax bills that are mailed to tax… property tax owners. Um, that are due in December of 2026 and April of 2027. Which means that you have time between now and August of 2026 to call a parcel tax. Election
031on a different date. This is not your last opportunity. Right. So even if we… somehow won the election in November. We couldn't even get the money until… the same time that we would get the… As the June election? Is that right? Correct. Do you guys have questions, Caitlin? And this is where I think the political strategists. Ryan and Caitlin, when I choose you. Yeah. Without being too political. I mean, I… think June makes a lot more sense in a lot of ways, but, like, I get wanting to. Capitalize on… all of the attention that people are finally paying. To politics and the government, and realizing how much the federal government. Can make or break public schools. Um, so I'm really torn. I think, monetarily, people are struggling. Right now, but also are realizing the importance
032of investing in their local… so, like, I really could go either way on this. Um, I've just… like, usually we do a lot more polling and stuff before, so, like. I feel like last time we talked about it, we were talking about keeping it under 100, and this says $129 per parcel. But I don't know what the polling… like, I don't think people are feeling financially better off than they did the last time we did the polling, if I had to guess, but that's just a guess. Um, so I'm really… I really am all over the place. On this. I mean, as a homeowner, I would gladly pay an extra $129 a year to keep my local schools afloat. But I don't… I obviously… care a lot about local schools, which is why I do
033this for $400 a year. Yeah, and I think, you know, part of that was looking at… we looked at some of our comparables. Amanda, correct me if I'm wrong, I think Novato… We had an interface for Novato in San Rafael. I'm sure we could pull lots of different surrounding districts, but you want to give us the information you had about the… Some of the surrounding districts, their parcel tax. Oh, is that not you? That wasn't you. I think… I think that, uh, I think it was San Rafael High School, just the high school district, I think they're at 189, and I think that Nevada's at 250 level. 251 or 252 a year. Oh, no, I don't think we need all the… like, I don't think we don't need that amount. But I don't know that
034voters are gonna… I agree. I totally agree. Oh, so I do have, um… And thinking about the timeline. Knowing if we pass something this November. For this next budget cycle and planning out as we have. Large, you know, potential cuts coming forward. Knowing that we would have, like, this additional revenue coming in. Yeah, let's call, uh, I guess year two of our three-year plan. We would… would not need to make as drastic cuts year one, correct? That's correct. So, we do have this, because not knowing whether this passes. June, we will have to make those cuts. So we are going to be talking about. If we do something now. About saving jobs? And saving trusted adults in the classroom, and doing what's right for our kids. And our students and our community. Versus if we
035go in June. We have already, you know, at this point. We won't want those results don't get finalized until the end of June, you know, early July. Like, the decisions have been made. Those positions have been cut. And so… That is the decision that's weighing on me. Um… And doing everything we can. To do what's right. Our students, and do something that's, like, better. And what… everything that this board has done. You know, during COVID and post-COVID, to have these folks on campus. The Institute of the new bell schedule, to have, um, to fulfill, you know, the promises, and… The goals of the board? We have a unique opportunity. And that's how I see it. Um… And I know it's tough, because there's a lot of uncertainty, and this stuff came together in the last
036two weeks, 10 days. Um, so that's… that's how I see it, and, like, it's just… is this opportunity presented to ourselves to do the right thing. Joanna, I know you've had some reservations. Many reservations about this. So, for me, it hasn't been 10 days, it's been, like, 24 hours. Like, this feels so rushed, and there's so many uncertainties about this. We also… this is, like, we're talking about 100 to 70,000 to half a million dollar gamble. Like, we don't know who's gonna turn out, we don't know how people are gonna vote. People's financial situation is so precarious right now. Um, I just feel like this is so fast. Like, we had… I thought we had talked about parcel tax a couple months ago, like Caitlin was saying, it's like, no, no, no, and now all
037of a sudden, it's like… Okay, we're doing this, like, it just feels like… Like, we're just being tossed by the wind, you know? Um, Newsom says a lot of things. He also saves on fun education, he has not. I also don't know if this is the only thing that we can do. I'm like, look at Damon Connolly and Chris Rogers! They got $45 million for Sonoma State! Would they give us? Zero. Like, so I'm just wondering if this really is the only thing that we can do. This also, like, we can put this on the ballot, but that's all we can actually do. We can't make people vote for this, so… And then we're out half a million dollars, and then our cuts will be deeper. So that's where I'm sitting right now. I don't…
038know if this is the right path for us to go down. And it's so uncertain. It'd be different if, like, Newsom already called the election. Great, of course. But he hasn't… And they're not even gonna be back in the office until, like, 2 more weeks! So I… that's why I'm just like, what is going on right now? Like, I feel so confused about a lot of things. And the timeline, the uncertainty, it's just… It's a lot to try to make a decision in a day. So, um… I definitely would not want to see anything go forward without the August 13th able to pull back from it as well. Um, so that's how I'm feeling right now. Understood. Um… It's, uh… I don't… I mean, I… I share all of these. You know, I'm… I'm, uh…
039I… you know, the problem with the $89 or the $98 is that it doesn't… it doesn't do much. Um, and, um… you know, listening to you… Joanne, I'm thinking that when we cut the million dollars a month ago. It was in order to make the pain a little bit less, so we were looking forward to. Not having to cut as much. Um, I just… I would just like to do something positive so that we're not… you know, always… will-o'-the-wiss at the, you know. At the will of, you know, the government, both state and, you know, people like Newsom, people… like the president, who… you know, are doing these things and not considering the. The real impacts of this. But I also have to look at the fact that the first one did not pass. And
040we don't know why. Like, did they do any after-polling? Like, what made the difference, or what could make the difference? To, um, to get to that two-thirds vote. We have no idea. At least I don't think so, I don't know if they did any after polling. After that. Did we do anything, Amanda? Yeah, there was a presentation about after I'm… I will look that up right now. I… I'm trying to get some of the answers to the questions you guys have asked as we go. I remember they talked about dem… yeah, there was demographics, and there was also about. Doors that we… where we knock… doors that we knocked on had a much higher turnout than… we didn't… we didn't knock on as many doors as we should have. Um, I can't remember the whole
041presentation. Yeah, they're real… yeah, I think, again, let's, um, be cognizant of… you know, I think talking about campaign and, uh, I wonder… I don't want to cross any lines. But it was already a presentation, so it sounds like… I do not remember it, maybe I wasn't here. It was an after presentation. But I don't remember, so if someone could… I can look it up on my own. I don't remember them saying why we didn't get those 2.5% votes. Yeah, we had one… we had one, like, crew day of the door knocking, and the weather was bad, and I think people tried to go out, um. On the… another day or two, but it had to do with, um… the amount of people that we had campaigning. Um, I did also want to point out
042on… there is going to be a April. Special election in April. We do know that SMART is planning on. Having the June… 26 election. Um, I've been in contact with them. They are putting a special tax on the ballot in June. So, though we wouldn't have the results until the beginning of the fiscal year, um… the results until July there is that election. San Rafael's parcel tax that passed last year for the second… for the high school was $253. The elementaries is $352. Novato passed for 251, and to speak for the $89 last time, that is the highest amount we pulled. We didn't pull anything higher, so it… it wasn't… and what we did find at the time, we pulled 89, like. 72 and, like, 60, like, 3 different numbers, and they all pulled. Pretty…
043relatively the same. Yeah. Okay? So it does, I agree, it does feel very rushed. I mean, this is not something that we've been planning, it's not something we've even been thinking about until it really came up with. Really came up with the, you know, what's going on with the governor, and… potential to call an election, and then we start to have some conversations, and… Um, but yeah. And there is a benefit to being the only tax on the ballot. For sure. Like… Even if it made, like, if we're also… especially if smart comes literally first on the ballot before us, people are like, oh, well, I just voted for a tax. Like, I'm not gonna tax myself twice. That is, uh, a very common thing, as the lower you get on the ballot. The, um,
044more no. Votes you get, um… So, that is the other piece, where we have… I think, um, again, it's very, very short runway, but it is a kind of standard, you know, time to talk to voters in the community post-Labor Day. That's still in front of us. Um, and, uh, you know. Having more conversations with the community, um, about the importance of this, and again. It is the different framework of, like. Saving… saving positions versus… kind of restoring, um… That is, to me, is like, this is… this is a opportunity. That's the argument. And why? We're gonna pay the whole half a million, then why we just do it? But we don't know. I don't know, I just… But we… but if we keep it on after August 13th, then we are. If he doesn't
045call for an election. Like, we talked about this, and we were, like. I don't know. It changed because of the environment at the State Capitol and the feds. I think I was definitely adamantly opposed to having a parcel tax. Um, and I remember vividly, absolutely not that we're not ready. But then when I heard the arguments about that this… this would… be an election… Um, that's very different from just a, you know, primary election in March. And the things that really changed since March of 24. You know, our country is… And the financial situation in our state. Has really changed, and that's why we have. $5 million that we have to cut. And so, I kind of… feel like whether or not the state does it. I'd like the community to back our schools. That
046this is the time. That they need to do it, because we need. We need their support now. That they'd be saying yes to all these different things. They'd be saying yes to our students, they'd be saying yes to the excellence of our teachers. They'd be… and our staff. Um, I just… I kind of feel like I started to kind of change that I'm… I'm tired of… This is locally controlled. We will have the control of it. Our local. Administrators and our board. No, the state can't touch it. The feds can't touch it, and they can't tell us what to do with it. I think that's already been passing. It's only if it passes, but then at some point, even in June. We're going to have to make the convincing argument. That the community needs to
047do this. They need to step up, and they need to protect our schools. And it's really a protection of our schools at this point. They have stated openly at the federal government that they want to get rid of public education, and they have definitely tried. I agree with you on everything you're saying. I know. I'm not arguing with them either. We can't control. What people are going to do in the voting booth. We don't know, and we just discussed this. I think that's also why I'm just like, what is going on? And we're not doing it because… solely because we're trying to take control, we're doing it because we think Newsom's gonna do something. So that is being reactive. Like, if we were going to be proactive, I think we would have done something differently
048without such a tight timeline. To do the proper polling, to figure out if people really are willing to back education. People say that, but then look what happened a year ago. They did not back education. I think we had good messaging then. So, that's why I'm just, like, want to take at least that pause to have 48 hours to think about it. You know, and then I feel like I'm in a bad position, because if I vote no or have any type of opposition, if it's like, well, Joanna Pond doesn't support public education, and that's not there either to do something so lick that we haven't… we don't have all the information. I mean, we see an increase. And, um, people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged in our county, in our city, in our own district.
049We have more homeless students, we have more people. Leaving the area because they can't afford it. I know $129 might not sound like a lot, but as someone who grew up very poor and disadvantaged, that is a lot of money to people. Even if you have a home, you don't know, 14 people just got laid off from the Department of Ed. I mean, there's the economic outlook is so bad, we don't know if people are going to be like, yes, I'm willing to pay. More. Yeah, that's just where I am right now. I don't disagree with you that the state and the feds have completely screwed us. It would be nice to do something to take control, I just don't know if I'm willing. To risk half a million dollars. Because then that means we're
050cutting that much more. That… and that's… yeah. That's a common deal. I don't disagree with you. So, on top of the costs. Took file and all of that, um… what are the other costs? For the district, like, paying the campaign… I mean, obviously, like, the actual campaign would need to fundraise on its own. I'm not talking about that, but, like, what are other costs? To the district, because, like, this can add up very quickly, and like Joanna's saying. Can you give us a breakdown, Amanda? So, I'm looking at the contract that we had for the 24 parcel tax, um. The surveys, we surveyed 500 PCS voters. And it was about $35,000 for surveying. Um, we sent out mailers, and it is about $12,000 per mailing. Um, for… that was for the… for both this, so
051we did two. So we spent about… $25,000 on mailings. Um, and then also, we did pay a fee to the consultants that did that work on behalf of the district, so. The work that they did, um… to get all of the information, the education piece, and then there's also the committee outside. Does their own contract, too, but that contract. Was for… Um, $20,000. So, the last… And that was for both districts, though, so I said, I guess we could cut that in half, so 25… 35, 7, so about 35,000 plus the… so the election… best case scenario would be about. $200,000 if the district chose to do surveying, but… that surveying was really to determine the cost. So, I would say let's… Let's not do that piece of it. Yeah, and we have a recent
052survey, which was the election results, um, which does go to show, like, we are… it's right there. You know, if it is a turnout. You know, well, it turned out election based on, you know, Newsom and… Um, there would be… hundreds of millions of dollars spent, um, at a low level. On this, uh, it would be, um… you know, I think folks will be engaged, and they would know an election is around. So, I would say… that, um, and this is a question for Meredith, um… Does the board have, uh, to pass a second resolution to pull it off the ballot, or can we designate, uh, the superintendent to do it? And so, if we do need to pass a second resolution, I guess that means we would have to schedule a meeting for the.
05312th? Yeah, that's a really good question. You do have to pass another resolution. It's part of the requirement for withdrawing. Is that you present a resolution of the board showing that you've. Asked for withdrawal. So, yes. Okay, so then my thought would be, um, I am in support of passing, uh, the resolution, uh, this evening, and then scheduling a meeting for the 12th. Um, reaching out to, um, we just so happen to have the, uh, our state senator is the pro tem, and he has a good. Pulse on what's going on, and we can, uh, give them a call and see how likely this election is. Um, and uh, so then. Uh, each board member has. The likelihood of, you know, it overlapping with the state special election, um, to make a decision. Uh, on
054the 12th, for, like, the final call on whether we move forward or not. What do you think guys think? But I didn't know, like, was something different. Uh, he was just, uh, Ryan was just stating how he would like to, um. Calendar things, yeah, and then make sure that we have… schedule a meeting. Uh, for August 12th. But we… However… Um, well… So that would be Tuesday. Tuesday the 12th. Tuesday. Um, so, um… I believe, are we done with discussion of the resolution? I'm still thinking. Okay. You want me to read it? No. Give you time? No. Um, action? So, Matthew, this is… Again, as, um… closely, or ex… nearly a copy, except for the amount of the prior resolution that was passed that put the parcel tax on the. 2024 ballot? Correct. It was
055written by… Meredith and… Yeah, any other, uh, edits besides, uh, the amount that you would like to. Applicable dates for turning things in are really the only other innings. Flag for us? The content, the rationale for calling the election, the… the use of the funds is all the same. We did update student enrollment by 200. It's very, very similar. Okay. Um. And I know we talked of… about this offline, and I know you can't speak for our labor partners, but they expressed. Support and are theoretically on board? Yeah, I can't really speak for people, but I'll say during my conversation with the president of CICA. The concern was that we mentioned. Classified staff in the literature and the things that go out. Uh, with PFT, it was, um, my conversation with Sandra was… that PFT
056would be very supportive of something like this, knowing what the impact would do for, um. For our certificated staff. I think this time it's… way more important to focus on our labor partners and their abilities and what they say, and not listen to the consultants so much. Personally. That's my big thought. Have the consultants online. I don't know, are the consultants? Because also, I agree with you, because I know there are a couple times that we were at odds, like, they didn't want us to translate things. It's like, it's Petaluma, we translate everything, so it's just things like that. Um, again, I don't know how much of a difference that made, but yeah, I agree, it's like. The educators here know the community, so… Yeah. I think their commitment is essential. You know, and, and…
057Um, the little bit that I know it sounds like they… they really want to move forward and be. Did that before, uh, they didn't feel like they had the materials, and… you know, there was just a lot of… it was cold. And, um, and we had a very short timeline for that one. You know, that was even shorter. And, um, I mean, it was middle of March, and we really had the kickoff in February, I think, wasn't it? So, about the same. Yeah, very short. And uh… and time… as I mentioned, times are different. I do have the presentation in front of me of the results, if it would help. Of… The last election. Yeah, so we felt it was 798 votes. Was, and um… There was a, um, 10% less voter showed up than
058we anticipated. The over 65 voters. Were 15% higher, and we really went after the younger. Voters who didn't draw up. Yeah, sorry, I was thinking going after that. This is the wrong way to say it. So, the demographics were the families, and they, um… They came less than we anticipated, and then over 65. Um. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. We could use that data. Um, and also, it's just the one. We won't have both an elementary tax and a high school tax. An increase in that around, I think by email would be, um, fine. I don't think we need to review it on the big screen or anything right now. Okay, did… did Ellen… was Ellen ever able to get on? Did she respond? She tried to use the Zoom link in Bree's email, but it didn't…
059work. Well, and also, those homeowners, 65 and the low-income residents with disabilities will be… can be exempt if they choose to. So, I… Is that written in there, Amanda? Said milky. Exactly, yeah, thank you. So I double-check. So, I think, um… Okay, I, in a moment, I'm gonna make the motion to approve the resolution, uh, as written. The place that's on the ballot, um… And we have some homework, um, to ensure that, uh, someone from. The Pro Tem's office can provide an update to the board. On the likelihood of the, um, state legislature calling a special election. Along with the governor. Um, and then, you know, um, if the… Our labor partners want to check in with the board members on their thoughts, and then we can, um, you know, I think have a. You
060know, a gut check come. Tuesday, on whether we move forward or not. But because of this deadline, um, I… at this moment, I think we have to move forward. So, are you… is your… motion to move forward with the resolution as written in addition to having another special meeting on the 12th, on August 12th. I think that's… I think we… I think that's just an agreement that the superintended to call that, um, and the president. It's not part of your motion. No, but, like, I haven't made, like, okay, so I will move to, uh, approve the resolution to place a parcel tax on, um. The November special election. Any second? I'll second. I'm scared. I know, I know. I would have seconded it, so… All right, any more discussion before we vote? Not ready. You're
061not ready to vote on this? It's a unified display. I think that's a valid reason to abstain. I think it's a valid reason to abstain. Yeah, if you don't feel ready, that's a perfectly valid reason to abstain. That's fine. All right, we're ready for the vote. All those in favor of the motion to approve the resolution? Say I. Aye. All those against? All those abstaining? Um, the motion passes. We'll schedule… we'll schedule a special board meeting for… Tuesday the 12th? And… get some more information before we make a final decision, and… We have until the 13th to pull it. So… okay. Make sure Bree has time on her calendar on the 13th to physically go to the registrar, and like… Yeah. Yep. Or whoever, yeah. Yeah, great timing. So the 13th is when it has
062to go to the county. That 13 means it's the last day to tell the county, never mind, never mind. All right. Friday is the last day to get it to them. This Friday. Right, right. Right, right, get on shelf. …is the 13th. Okay, got it. Yeah, I… so the meeting on the 13th needs to be in the morning. Meredith, you came off mute. Did you… was that… there's… It's on the 12th. It's on the 12th. Right. Okay, sorry, there you go. Yeah. Yeah. Good call, though. Um… And just to triple check, um… Does placing or calling for a special election require a simple majority vote, or a supermajority vote? It's a resolution to approve a special tax, which requires a majority vote. Thank you. Say that again? So, when you call a special… an election
063to place a special tax on a ballot. You just need a majority of the members of the board approving the resolution. Not a super majority. Gotcha. All right. Thank you all. I will see you next week. All right, thank you. Meeting adjourned.