CASTAIC DISTRICT TO SEEK NEW TAX $48 LEVY SOUGHT TO HELP SCHOOLS.Byline: Eugene Tong tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer CASTAIC - Despite what could be a difficult campaign, the Castaic Union School District will ask voters to consider a $48-a-year parcel tax to fund classroom programs threatened by state cuts. The district's governing board Noun 1. governing board - a board that manages the affairs of an institution board - a committee having supervisory powers; "the board has seven members" unanimously approved putting the special- tax proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot at its meeting Thursday night. If approved by a two-thirds majority of voters, the district would levy the tax for four years and collect up to $480,000 per year to fund smaller- class sizes, art, music and technology. ``We didn't ask for these times,'' said board member Steve Sansone. ``I think from a leadership standpoint The Standpoint is a newspaper published in the British Virgin Islands. It was originally published under the name Pennysaver, largely as a shopping-coupon promotional newspaper, but since emerged as one of the most influential sources of journalism in the , we need to take this to the community and let them decide.'' While the $100 billion state budget approved by the Legislature this week provides adequate funds for basic instruction, special-category programs face severe reductions as Sacramento attempts to shore up a record $38 billion deficit over the 2003-04 fiscal year. Castaic, which teaches children in kindergarten kindergarten [Ger.,=garden of children], system of preschool education. Friedrich Froebel designed (1837) the kindergarten to provide an educational situation less formal than that of the elementary school but one in which children's creative play instincts would be through eighth grades, has cut spending by $400,000 for the current fiscal year to meet a 1.2 percent state shortfall Shortfall The amount by which the capital required to fulfill a financial obligation exceeds available capital. Notes: Shortfall risk is often combated with an efficient hedging strategy created by a fund, group, institution, or individual. that had been projected in May. The district cut 14 positions - including five teachers' aides - in May. Officials had considered ending the reduction of third-grade class sizes, a limitation of 20 students per instructor, but held off in the hope a successful parcel-tax campaign could bail out the sinking state program. Smaller classes cost the district about $80,000 a year in additional teachers and materials. ``Hopefully, it will cover those specific programs,'' said Superintendent Beverly Silsbee. ``Things will be tough if there's a further downturn Downturn The transition point between a rising, expanding economy to a falling, contracting one. downturn A decline in security prices or economic activity following a period of rising or stable prices or activity. in the economy.'' But passage of the new tax could be difficult. A June poll found that about 60 percent of likely November voters would support the measure - 7 percent short of the necessary two-thirds majority. Supporters are expecting to organize a $20,000 campaign war chest for mailers and other expenses in the next two months, Silsbee said. ``It's going to be a tough sell,'' board President Tom Caesar Caesar (sē`zər), ancient Roman patrician family of the Julian gens. There are separate articles on its two most distinguished members, Julius Caesar and Augustus. said. ``I think it's going to be an uphill battle Uphill Battle was an metalcore band with elements of grindcore and noisecore. The group was based out of Santa Barbara, California, USA. History Uphill Battle got some recognition releasing their self-titled record on Relapse Records. .'' A campaign volunteer meeting is being planned. ``I think the strategy is to really inform people and to get positive parent participation - the people that are affected the most,'' Silsbee said. Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com |
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