Los Gatos Union School Trustees OK $50K For Parcel Tax Survey

Voters living within the boundaries are possibly looking at continuing to pay a $290-per-parcel tax they approved in June 2008 to keep local education afloat.

During their last meeting, trustees agreed to hire TBWB Strategies at a cost of $30,000 to conduct a survey to determine voter support for the possible extension of the tax, which expires in 2014.

TBWB Strategies is the same political and communications consulting firm that helped the district renew its parcel tax in June of 2008 and it's also the same company that helped the

If placed on the ballot, the measure will need 66.7 percent to pass on Election Day. TBWB will work with pollster EMC Research at a cost of $20,000 and members of the school community to craft the survey and make an educated recommendation to trustees about the measure as well as the best election date and type of ballot.

District parents said the error showed disrespect to voters.

The omission was brought to the trustees' attention in March by parents unhappy with plans and past district blunders.

Board of Education President Kathleen Bays attributed the mistake to a change in superintendents between Suzanne Boxer-Gassman and Richard Whitmore and chief business officer.

Bays said the LGUSD collects $2.6 million a year from the parcel tax, which goes straight into the district's general fund.