Consultants are hired for a new school tax
Carleen Beste The Hermosa Beach city school board has hired consultants to survey voters about a possible parcel-tax measure, and to aid in the campaign for the tax if it is eventually placed on the ballot. Some school board members said voters must approve a new tax or the little 1,300-student, K-8 district could not provide adequate academic programs past the next year. “We’re at the point where we need this funding to keep our doors open,” board member Carleen Beste said. Board President Jack Burns said $230,000 in federal stimulus money will run out this year, and the Hermosa district could lose another $374,000 if statewide voters reject a multibillion-dollar tax measure backed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Burns said rejection of a Hermosa parcel tax could force the school district to merge with a larger, neighboring district. Following a yearlong study, district officials have often described a merger as a last resort, which would not save Hermosans any money and would not ensure the continued existence of both its campuses. Cuts in state funding have caused shortfalls of $1.7 million over the last five years at the Hermosa district, which has a $10 million operating budget, about 8…
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