Cuts loom at Wilson School after tax measure failure

In the wake of a narrow defeat of a ballot measure that would have supported the Wilmar School District, school officials are facing potential budget cuts as early as next school year, and are planning another attempt to pass a parcel tax.

Voters in the district west of Petaluma rejected Measure I, which would have extended and raised a parcel tax to $75 to fund programs at Wilson School, the only school in the district. The measure received 65.7 percent of the vote, but needed two-thirds to pass.

It was education officials’ second attempt in as many years to pass a tax measure to continue programs such as counseling services, technology, music and after school activities. Superintendent Eric Hoppes said that some of those programs could face cuts next year to make up for a potential funding gap. The measure would have raised $80,000 annually for the 240-student school.

“Looking at cuts, we try and start as far away from general instruction as possible,” Hoppes said. “We’ll have to make some budget cuts for next year. We’ll make it work.”

He said that the district would take a look at the state budget in February to get a sense of what next year’s budget would look like.

The measure faced no public opposition. Hoppes said he was heartened that it came within a percentage point of passing, and he speculated that other revenue generating measures on the ballot could have turned some voters away. The November ballot included a countywide sales tax for parks, an increase in county hotel tax, a sales tax for the county library system and a $9 billion statewide bond measure.

“We appreciate all the people that voted for us,” he said. “It would have helped us with our budget. The ballot had a lot of groups asking for money.”

Hoppes said that he will talk with school board members about another ballot measure as soon as November 2017. He said a more concerted campaign will help explain to district voters the importance of a dedicated funding stream for the school.

District voters in 2004 approved a $45 parcel tax, which was extended and raised to $50 in 2008. In 2012, voters approved $4 million in bonds, which the district used to upgrade security, rehabilitate a sewer line, build a new entryway and improve facilities at the 57-year-old school.

“As our neighbors see that we are doing all these things, they might say ‘We’re giving money. Why do you need more money,’” he said. “We learned that we need to do a lot more campaigning.”

Measure I would not have provided money for building maintenance or administrative salaries, according to the proponents. Property owners 65 or older would have been exempt from paying the tax.

(Contact Matt Brown at matt.brown@arguscourier.com.)