San Diego Unified School District says there may be enough public support to place a parcel tax on the November ballot. The money could be spent on programs, services or positions.
The district has been working with an outside consultant in conducting community surveys and gathering research. Preliminary findings show 64 percent of San Diego taxpayers would vote for a $98 parcel tax spread out over the course of five years.
A 64 percent majority is not the two-thirds needed to pass a parcel tax, but San Diego school board members say there's enough evidence to move forward with more polling and lobbying.
School Trustee John Evans says a parcel tax gives the district greater financial control.
“The reality is people are much more confident in sending their local money to local schools than they are sending it through some general tax to Sacramento or Washington,” Evans said.
A parcel tax has become a popular strategy for school districts because the money raised goes straight to the school districts.
