The Foothill-De Anza College District might not be completely saved, but greatly relieved if the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Parcel Tax is passed on Nov 2.
If approved by a two-thirds supermajority vote, every home owner in the eighth city district would be taxed $69 a year for six years.
The measure could generate approximately $7 million dollars a year for the district.
The district could greatly benefit from this measure because it would save the district from state budget cuts and provide local funding that cannot be reallocated by the state. The measure would also preserve affordable, quality education by saving core academic classes and trade classes including math, science, writing and nursing.
Measure E also ensures that funds go directly to students’ needs and not into administrators’ salaries.
“It affects everyone, one way or another. In the long run, we have folks who are going to graduate from the nursing program and go into emergency services and they will most likely stay within the area,” campaign manager Marisa Melo said. “So if you’re in the hospital, you will most likely have one of our students helping you. That’s how, in the long run, everyone benefits.”
Betsey Bechtel, chair of the Measure E campaign and a member of the Board of Trustees member was one of the several volunteers phoning 5,000 potential voters in the area on Sept. 15. at the Oaks Shopping center in Cupertino.
“We need lots of help with this. We plan to phone every Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. between now and the election,” Bechtel said. “If we can get this passed, it will mean we can provide more services and more classes that are needed by our students.”
Melo said Bechtel and other volunteers are enthusiastic about the measure passing based on a survey conducted during the summer.
“We found out that 70 percent of the people we’ve spoken to have either themselves taken a class at Foothill or De Anza or they have a family member who has,” Bechtel said. “Foothill and De Anza are huge resources for our community. They’re helping our families whose kids are already grown. They know it’s valuable for our economy to have educated people.”
During the budget cuts, the school district lost about $20 million said Bechtel. The $42 million in taxes will not only replace what was lost, but improve what it already has. Both campuses are receiving photo voltaic shade covers in the parking lots in order to reduce electricity usage by 25 percent.
Volunteers and supporters of the measure are hoping for a 71 percent approval vote, although only 67 percent is needed for the measure to pass, equivalent to about 90,000 voters.
Precinct walks are planned on Oct 2, 3, 30 and 31. Tabling on both campuses will occur once the quarters begin. Foothill College Student Trustee Etienne Bowie is asking for more volunteers for phoning, tabling and walking. Volunteer’s can contact Marisa Melo by showing up at the phoning room donated to the campaign at suite 620 at the Oaks Shopping Center across the street from De Anza College.
The district has spent approximately $200,000 for the campaign; $80,000 was given by the student governments and the faculty union. The campaign has also received the support of local governments and local leaders including as Stanford University President John Hennessey, said Bowie.
If the parcel tax passes, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District will be the second college district in California history to pass a parcel tax.
