Schools

School Board to Explore Parcel Tax, Other Options

Board agrees to form panels to study the district's sustainability options, which also include a charter-school system and sharing services with other districts.

The agreed Wednesday night to form subcommittees to study four possible options for sustaining the city's schools.

The school board's , which was formed to study the sustainability of Hermosa Beach’s schools, presented these findings to the board, listing the options:

  • A parcel tax to raise money for the schools;
  • Unifying with a neighboring school district or sharing services with other schools;
  • Becoming a charter district;
  • Reducing teachers' salaries; paring back curricula.

“I think everything has to stay on the table,” said board member Jack Burns at the meeting. “That’s why we’re doing this whole analysis.”

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The board asked Angela Jones, business manager for the school district, how long the schools could last if no action is taken.

“We have one year,” Jones said.

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The strategic planning committee was disbanded until such time as the board might need its help again. Parents and other community members will be invited to join the subcommittees. The board hopes to form some subcommittees by its first meeting in April.

Parcel tax

The school district could assess a parcel tax on local residents to help support schools. Under state law, however, the tax must be put on an election ballot and win by two-thirds of the vote.

The school board decided to organize a parcel tax team to research the option by outlining a possible ballot measure, and surveying residents.

Merger or 'unification light'

This option would allow the Hermosa Beach School District to merge with a neighboring school district in Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach. But some board members were vehemently against the idea.

“I’m not a big fan of unification. I don’t see it saving us a lot of money. I like our autonomy,” said board President Cathy McCurdy.

The other option, which more board members warmed up to, was sharing select services with neighboring districts, such as administrative staff or special-education resources. This is listed in the strategic planning committee’s report as “unification light.”

The approach of sharing resources before ever agreeing to a complete merger is similar to deciding “to date before you get married,” Burns said.

A subcommittee was not formed to explore unification. Rather, board members agreed to meet with other districts to learn more about available options.

Charter schools

Benefits to becoming a charter school district include flexibility in spending and in curriculum, the strategic planning committee wrote in its final report.

The school board decided to gather more information about a possible charter system before forming a subcommittee.

Additional options

The committee also encouraged the district to consider increasing its private contributions and fundraising efforts, as well as corporate and foundation contributions. Cutting costs and restructuring bonds were also suggested.

“The Chinese term for crisis is the same term for opportunity. That’s something to keep in mind here," strategic planning committee member John Parsons told the school board.

The school board will meet again at 7 p.m. April 13, in Council Chambers.


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