IRVINE : Tab for Failed Tax Measure Is $51,250

Campaigners spent $51,250 in an unsuccessful attempt to pass a temporary property tax measure in the Irvine Unified School District.

The campaign for Measure P, which was on the June 4 ballot in Irvine, spent most of its money on mailers, while a substantial amount also went to a political consulting firm that helped direct the campaign. The mailers and postage cost $23,471; the consultant’s fee was $20,000.

The information is detailed in state-required spending reports filed with the county registrar of voters. The final report outlining final campaign spending was due Wednesday. The campaign group, called Partnership in Irvine Education--Yes on Measure P, was headed by school board member Mary Ellen Hadley, who promised to run a vigorous campaign in support of the measure. The tax would have raised about $1.4 million a year and would have helped make up for an estimated $3-million shortfall expected next school year.

Measure P lost by 369 votes.

School district officials blamed the defeat on a last-minute flyer that was handed out door-to-door by members of the Greater Irvine Republican Assembly. The Irvine-based conservative political group opposed the tax and wanted the school district to stay within budget constraints, according to the group’s president, Bruce E. Peotter.

On the fund-raising side, the Measure P campaign had $51,817 in contributions and a $13,500 bank loan.

The largest contribution was $7,500 from the Irvine Co. Several other developers, as well as companies and individuals involved in real estate, also donated large sums, often up to $1,000.

Education-oriented unions also gave generously. A $5,000 contribution came from a group called District Advisory Forum IUSD, $2,000 came from the Irvine Administrators Assn. and $1,000 was sent by the Irvine Teachers Assn.