Letters to the Editor 6-16-22
Wants, not needs Dear ER: Manhattan Beach Parcel Tax Measure A, on the June 7 ballot, was not truly a ‘citizen’s’ group effort, although marketed that way. Essentially, it was a small group of residents who sought their “wants” for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, rather than MBUSD’s actual needs. The statutory COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase for our state education revenue, and the LCFF [Local Control Funding Formula] will soar to 6.56 percent this year. The May 26 MBUSD workshop projected a shortfall of $190,795 for 2023-24 and another of $1.7 million shortfall in 24-25. Yet, the Measure A folks asked for $12 million a year, not the $2 million potentially needed. Superintendent Doctor John Bowes failed to take a leadership role in directing the Measure A campaign. MBUSD had a reasonable parcel tax plan in mind but bowed out early. Our MB community is a reasonable group of residents who will at the end of the day make an informed, rational decision. Over 4,000 residents signed the petition to put the measure on the ballot, but only 2,700 voted for the measure itself. 35 percent said NO when they learned the real facts. Every “Yes on A” flier I received had…
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