May 25, 2008

School measure earns your vote

Editorial

Voters should approve Measure P, a $78 parcel tax for the Millbrae Elementary School District, where funding is so tight the district lacks adequate custodial service and may face a new round of layoffs.
Proponents of the measure, which allows an exemption for seniors, say the district has educated children with the lowest per-pupil spending of the 23 neighboring districts for 60 years, yet still achieves high scores on the Academic Performance Index. Several aides and custodians have been laid off and a $575,000 shortfall is looming in the next school year. Even teachers' positions may not be safe.
To its credit, the district has launched an education foundation and sold off a former school site to raise money. More help is needed and we believe the public will is evident. Last year, a $78 parcel tax fell just shy of the two-thirds mark needed.
Given the educational needs of the students and the district's efforts to respond to its fiscal challenges, we urge voters to approve Measure P.