Elections : Voters Extend Tax to Fund Schools in San Marino

Nearly 90% of San Marino residents voted to extend a $100-per-parcel annual property tax that helps pay for local schools.

“It’s a vote of confidence for the schools and shows how the community supports us,” said Tom Godley, superintendent of the San Marino Unified School District, which consistently ranks among the best school districts in the state. “And we will continue to use the money in a wise and judicious manner.”

With 88.3% voting in favor of the tax extension, support for the measure far exceeded the 66.6% needed for passage.

The parcel tax, first passed by more than 80% of voters in 1991, will be extended for four more years and is expected to raise $500,000. The school district budget is $11.1 million.

In the past four years, the money has helped the district refurbish and open 10 condemned classrooms at Huntington Middle School, maintain an average class size of fewer than 30 students, provide a diverse curriculum and make modest increases in teachers’ salaries.

The tax was voted on by homeowners within the district’s boundaries, including those in two unincorporated areas near Pasadena and San Gabriel.

Senior citizens are exempt from the tax.

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ELECTION RETURNS

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

San Marino Unified

(If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the two top finishers meet in a runoff.)

Proposition A

Assess $100 parcel tax

(Requires approval by two-thirds of voters)

6 of 6 Precincts Reporting

CANDIDATE VOTE % Yes 2,954 88.3 No 390 11.7