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Parents, students and teachers tell Novato Unified trustees: 'Vote yes' on parcel tax
Summary
At a public hearing on the proposed parcel tax, parents, teachers and students urged trustees to place a parcel tax on the June ballot to protect programs and staffing; commenters cited district shortfalls, program cuts at NOVA and a $9.5 million deficit the district faces this year.
Multiple Novato residents, parents and educators urged the board to place a parcel tax on the June ballot to preserve programs, staffing and special services.
Tina McMillan (voice 4) introduced herself as a longtime Novato parent and local business owner and said, "I support putting a parcel tax measure on the June ballot." Mike (Mike) Jolley (voice 5) told trustees the district faces deep underfunding and said, "We have a $9,500,000 deficit this year," urging community support to raise about $4,000,000 more. Fran Rosoff (voice 8), a retired NUSD teacher, described the parcel tax as "the bedrock of our students' daily experience" and noted the proposal the speakers discussed was $249 for eight years.
Teachers and NOVA students also spoke. Amy Fairheart (voice 9), a NOVA teacher, said small special‑education programs and other targeted services are "vulnerable to cuts" and voiced support for the measure; Isaac Bancourt (voice 11), a NOVA student, said he and his family "support the parcel tax" so teachers and classroom resources can be maintained. Tim McCurdy (voice 12), who identified himself as an educator and longtime resident, said volunteers in the community will help run a campaign to pass the tax.
Speakers emphasized local control of schools, the unpredictability of state and federal funding and the need for predictable local revenue to maintain counselors, specialists and enrichment programs.
