» PEN Parcel Tax Endorsement Statement
How do I return my ballot?
By Mail: If you're mailing your ballot, you should send it in no later than Friday, April 30 to be sure it arrives at the Registrar's office in time.
In person: If your ballot is not in the mail by Friday, April 30, you must personally deliver it to one of these local drop-off locations on Tuesday, May 4 between 7am and 8pm:
- Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena
- Altadena Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena
- Sierra Madre Library, 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre
You can also drop your ballot off at the Registrar of Voters Office in Norwalk at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, Ca 90650 between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday and between 8am and 8pm on Tuesday, May 4.
PEN Endorsement of Measure CC (Parcel Tax):
The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education voted to put a parcel tax before the voters of Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. The cost will be $120 per year for 5 years on each property. This will raise approximately $7,000,000 per year to support the district's academic programs.
PEN is endorsing this parcel tax for the following reasons:
- Parent participation in public education is a core tenet of PEN. We believe public schools function best when they are embraced by their local community. So, like our surrounding foothill communities of La Canada, San Marino and South Pasadena, we feel that one of the best ways to demonstrate our support of our public schools is by approving this parcel tax. Beyond the revenue that this tax provides to the district, it also creates a more direct and local financial connection to the community, increasing engagement and accountability.
- Significantly this year, California's budget will force PUSD to cut its budget by approximately $20,000,000. Most districts across the state are facing similarly dire situations. In Pasadena, this would result in deep program and staff cuts, resulting in larger class sizes and cuts to academic programs and services. The parcel tax will help blunt the worst of these impacts: those closest to the classroom.
- PUSD has made significant strides in academic achievement over the last several years. The cuts in this year’s budget threaten to sidetrack this progress and negatively affect the education of all children. PEN has always been able to point to quality instruction and programs in our district. The upcoming budget cuts could threaten some of that quality.
- Lastly, even in good economic times, the California budget for K-12 education is below the national average in per pupil spending. This parcel tax will allow the district to continue academic, artistic and other programs that enhance the education of all our children.
Please join us in voting YES on the parcel tax when you receive your mail-in ballot this coming April.
LINKS:
Campaign website: www.yesoncc.org
Measure CC
Fact Sheet
&
Frequently Asked Questions
PUSD Budget Page
Invest in PUSD Kids
© 2010, Pasadena Education Network
