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Oak Grove board directs staff to run parcel-tax survey after small town hall turnout
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Summary
After a March 25 town hall that drew 15 in-person and about 21 online participants, Associate Superintendent Evans told the board the district’s current $68 parcel tax generates about $1.75 million; trustees directed staff to run a districtwide survey to test voter support and options ahead of a potential June decision.
The Oak Grove School District Board on April 16 directed staff to develop a districtwide survey to test voter awareness and support for potential parcel-tax options after reviewing feedback from a March 25 town hall.
Associate Superintendent Evans summarized the town hall: 15 people attended in person and 21 online participants remained for substantial portions of the session. He explained parcel-tax mechanics — a flat per-parcel assessment that typically requires a two-thirds voter threshold — and said the district’s existing parcel tax has been $68 since 1991 and currently generates about $1,750,000 annually.
Evans walked trustees through options and trade-offs discussed at the town hall: possible dollar amounts (examples discussed in town-hall scenarios included $75, $100 and $136 per parcel), a square-foot approach used by some neighboring districts (e.g., a per-square-foot rate with a cap), duration (many participants preferred 10–12 years or a finite term over an ongoing perpetual assessment), and whether to include a cost-of-living adjustment. He warned that placing a measure on the November ballot would require meeting the county registrar’s 90‑day deadline and that running the election could cost roughly $325,000.
Public commenters were split. Bob Carlo urged the board to pursue a parcel tax as a way for the district to control local funding and recommended a longer-term or ongoing measure. Others raised worries about adding to housing costs or the practicality of passing a two-thirds measure given poll uncertainty: the town-hall table-talk produced a small sample and trustees said more robust outreach and polling is needed.
Trustees resolved to direct staff to produce an easy, scenario-based online survey, create a QR code for distribution at community events and school sites, and provide an informational update in May with ongoing survey results. Staff said they will work with site principals and district communications to broaden outreach and will return with recommendations and a possible timeline to place a measure before the board for action in June if warranted.
No final parcel-tax proposal was adopted at the meeting; trustees emphasized the need for broader community engagement, clear ballot language tied to specific spending priorities, and discussions about campaign strategy and funding should the board choose to run a measure.
