[BHS etree] SUPT: Meetings to Discuss Possible New Tax Measure for Schools

[bhs at idiom.com]

Please do not hit reply, contact: Mark Copelan
[mailto:publicinfo at berkeley.k12.ca.us] or 644-8549

Opportunity to Give Comment About a Possible Special Tax Measure 

The Berkeley Unified School District Board of Education announced
opportunities for parents, students, staff and the public-at-large to
provide comment about a possible special tax measure that may be
placed on the ballot in November 2006. This possible special tax would
fund educational programs when BSEP and Measure B sunset in 2006. BSEP
and Measure B collects approximately $19 million dollars per year and
funds almost one-third of our classroom teachers, nearly all library
staff, elementary and middle school music, and many other important
educational programs.

It is the intent of the Board of Education and Superintendent Lawrence
to hear from the public (see schedule below) and invites the school
community and public-at-large to express their views.

Wednesday - March 22
SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
7:30 PM - Council Chambers (2134 MLK)
Proposed topic of discussion: Results of public survey and preliminary
assumptions for a new measure

Between March 22 and April 19
The Superintendent and the Board plan to meet with established
educational groups (unions, educational committees, educational
supporters) to seek their input about a possible new special tax.

Wednesday - April 26
SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
7:30 PM - Council Chambers (2134 MLK)
Proposed topic for Board discussion: Basic uses of the proposed
measure An extended public comment period will be conducted during
this meeting.

If the Board of Education decides to go forward with a proposed new
measure, future Board of Education meetings in May and June would
discuss the actual language of such a measure.

If you cannot attend the Board of Education meetings, you can view the
meeting on Berkeley's cable channel: B-TV, Channel 33. If you would
like to make comment about this possible special tax, please email: [
mailto:publicinfo at berkeley.k12.ca.us ]publicinfo at berkeley.k12.ca.us or
call 510.644.8549.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Berkeley public schools.