Lakeside Voters Reject Reorganization, Los Gatos Union Voters Renew Tax

Update: 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7: Los Gatos Union School District officials were elated Tuesday evening with passage of Measure B, which renews the agency's annual $290 parcel tax for eight years to help maintain outstanding educational programs and retain highly-qualified teachers.

In a prepared statement, Superintendent Diana Abbati said the 3,000-plus student district can now continue to protect excellent core academic programs in reading, writing, math, and science, keep classroom technology, science resources, books and instructional materials updated and maintain art and music programs.

Measure B will contribute $2.6 million a year with a citizen oversight committee. None of its funds can be used to pay for administrators' salaries and it contains a senior citizen exemption.

“Los Gatos schools are among the top in the state in terms of student test scores, thanks to our excellent academic programs and highly-qualified teachers. Renewing this stable, local source of funding provides greater local control to continue top-quality education for our students without increasing tax rates. Every penny from this measure benefits Los Gatos students and can’t be taken away by the State,” said LGUSD Board of Trustees President Tina Orsi-Hartigan.

Abbati stated: “We are so appreciative to the residents of Los Gatos for their support of our schools. The district’s academic preeminence relies heavily on a strong partnership between public funding and the generosity of the residents of Los Gatos. The long-term benefit and impact of this renewal gives me confidence that support for our students will go far beyond the walls of our schools. On behalf of the teachers, students, staff, parents and Board of Trustees, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the voters for your confidence and support to continue to build great schools for our community, our students and our future in the Los Gatos Union School District.”

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Update: 11 p.m. Tuesday, May 7: A majority of voters in the Lakeside Joint Union School District seemed to have rejected a measure that would have approved the transfer of 17 properties into the Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District, based on semi-final results of Tuesday's special all-mail ballot election.

With the only precinct in the election reporting, Measure A had 171 votes against reorganization, or 88.60 percent and 22 votes in favor of reorganization, or 11.40 percent.

In the Los Gatos Union School District, Measure B, a parcel tax of $290 for the next eight years that required two-thirds approval, had passed with 5,914 yes votes, or 81.65 percent and 1,329 no votes, or 18.35 percent.

There were 18,289 registered voters in this election in 28 precincts. A total of 7,454 ballots were cast and voter turnout was 40.76 percent, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voter's website.

"The voters in the Los Gatos mountain community of the Lakeside School District showed their support for Lakeside School students, parents and community by voting no on Measure A," said Lakeside Joint Union School District Superintendent Elizabeth Bozzo.

The voters in the Lakeside district were the ultimate decision makers of a territory transfer request after a three-year process, Bozzo said, adding that  the small one-school district would continue to serve the families in the Los Gatos Mountains as it has for more than 130 years.

"We were against this reorganization and it went to an election," explained Lakeside Joint Union School District spokeswoman Susan Ady. "It's only an election within our district boundary."

The election was called because the district was in opposition to the reorganization. "It was the natural process," she said.

Residents who live on Marty and Jensen Springs roads petitioned for the territory transfer of 17 parcels into the Loma Prieta Joint Union School District.

Measure A needed 50 percent approval for passage. Currently, Lakeside students who finish the fifth grade at the campus can either attend Rolling Hills or Loma Prieta middle schools.

Final results can be checked by clicking here.

ALSO ON LOS GATOS PATCH: 

• Los Gatos School Trustees to Place Parcel Tax Renewal on Ballot
• Los Gatos School Districts' Special Mail-Ballot Election Ends Today