Measure E Back on Ballot for Vote on June 29

One significant change to the upcoming June ballot vote is the six-year “sunset clause” has been returned to the measure; the clause’s removal was one of the reasons frequently cited for Measure E’s failure in March.
It was originally believed that the SMUSD was required to wait until at least August to place Measure E back on the ballot, but Joy Tatarka, a consultant with TBWB Strategies, has since advised the district it can appear sooner.
If approved by voters on June 29, the district will not experience a gap in funding from Measure E, which is slated to expire on June 30. It will also be considered a “renewal” of the parcel tax. If it would have gone on the ballot after June 30, it would have been considered a new tax.
School board president Shelley Ryan is happy to have Measure E scheduled for an upcoming vote.
“We are grateful that our community has supported San Marino schools with local funding from Measure E since 2009,” Ryan said in a statement. “If Measure E is not renewed, the District faces devastating losses. That is why we have been working tirelessly with teachers and our community to ensure there is an opportunity to put this on the ballot again before it expires.”
Because of Measure E’s defeat in March, the SMUSD was required by law to distribute layoff notices to 41 teaching and advisory positions on March 15 in order to balance the budget for the 2021-22 school year.
“As demonstrated at tonight’s school board meeting, everyone is fully engaged in keeping teachers, counselors and specialists where they belong — in San Marino classrooms,” San Marino Teachers Association President Lettie Aranda said shortly after Monday’s meeting. “If passed, the renewed Measure E will go far in saving jobs and sustaining our district. We feel nothing but gratitude towards our community members and the board who are working to keep our schools whole.”
The campaign received an unexpected boost when San Marino resident Nam Jack spoke at the virtual meeting and volunteered her services to lead an organized effort to pass Measure E. Jack served two terms on the San Marino school board between 2009-18 and has spearheaded three previous parcel tax campaigns, including the effort that originally established Measure E in 2009.
“I am honored to step forward and coordinate this campaign for what has to be one of the most important issues facing our district,” Jack said. “If we don’t pass this measure this June, the landscape of our educational community is subject to drastic change with serious consequences for our children, our schools and community. My hope is that we can all come together with one focus in mind — passing the measure which will secure sustainable six-year funding for our students.”
Monday’s special meeting lasted just over an hour, with Measure E the only item on the agenda. School board members briefly discussed the resolution to place Measure E on the ballot prior to the unanimous vote.
“We are bringing it back exactly how it was,” said board member Corey Barberie, stating appreciation for the increased community engagement since the March 2 defeat. “It’s great that people want to learn more about the district. I encourage you to be involved.”
Measure E raises $968 per parcel, adjusted by the lesser of the Los Angeles Statistical Area Consumer Price Index, or 3%, including commercial properties within the boundaries of the school district.
First approved by voters in 2009 for a six-year term, the parcel tax was renewed in 2015 and is scheduled to expire in June 2021. Voters 65 years of age and older can apply for an exemption. Dollars generated by a parcel tax — like Measure E — may only be spent on teachers’ salaries and other expenses. There are approximately 5,400 parcels within the boundaries of the SMUSD, with just over 1,000 claiming the senior exemption.   
A second school parcel tax — Measure R — is scheduled to sunset in June 2025. First approved by voters in 1991, Measure R generates $1.6 million annually at $366 per parcel and also includes all parcels and commercial properties located within the city of San Marino as well as the boundaries of the SMUSD. Measure R currently carries a six-year term and also requires two-thirds approval by voters.