Measure MB parcel tax renewal nears approval
by Mark McDermott
Ongoing vote tallies have brought Measure MB to the brink of approval, but the margin remains so thin that its passage is still uncertain.
The ballot measure, a $225 annual parcel tax that would provide $2.5 million in revenue for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, was just shy of the two-thirds approval necessary for passage after vote tallies completed by Election Day on March 5. It had gained 65.11% approval and needed 66.57%. In the week since, Measure MB reached 67.36%, as its vote total increased from 4,648 in favor and 2,491 against to 7,695 in favor and 3,729 against.
Yes on MB committee members were optimistic that official passage could occur this week. Voter tallies at the LA County Registrar’s office were occurring every weekday and remaining ballots were dwindling.
“The County Registrar just announced that there are 126,000 ballots left to count and that there will be another update tomorrow,” said Nathalie Rosen, Yes on MB co-chair. “Fingers crossed they could be done with the counting tomorrow!”
The registrar’s office has been counting ballots at a rate of approximately 80,000 per day, so final count should occur by the end of the week, at the latest.
Jen Dohner, another member of the Yes on MB leadership team, noted that regardless of the outcome the ballot measure achieved robust voter turnout and support.
“We’re so proud of the way the community has come together in support of our schools,” Dohner said. “We are currently at 50% turnout, which is significantly higher than the county or the state.”
“The entire committee is beyond grateful to every person who supported Measure MB at every step along the way of this campaign,” said co-chair Tyler Morant.
Voters originally approved Measure MB in 2018. The parcel tax is specifically allocated towards paying MBUSD teachers. Due to a likely decline in state revenue and the possibility that Measure MB would expire, the MBUSD Board of Education on February 28 authorized the layoffs of 33 teachers. By state law, pink slips must be issued by March 15. The hope is that Measure MB might still pass and save 20 of those positions — although, since election certification will not occur until early April, pink slips will still be sent to 33 teachers. ER