By Jeff Hudson
Enterprise staff writer
The Davis Enterprise

John Munn, president of the Taxpayers Association and a school board trustee from 1997 to 2001, said in a letter send to The Enterprise, 'The Yolo County Taxpayers Association board of directors has voted to support Measure W, the proposed parcel tax to maintain school programs in Davis.'

Munn added, 'Although the association is not pleased by spending decisions that have contributed to the school district's current financial situation, the need for Measure W is real, and opposition at this point would not be in the best interest of the community, where taxpayers have a clear interest in the education of Davis students.

'This support, however, comes with a caveat,' Munn continued. 'We expect that the school district and board members now understand how decisions about present spending can lead to future deficits. Therefore, the association will not support future tax measures to pay for deficits created by subsequent board decisions. But this is for another day's debate. Today, we must work together to keep the good things we have, which requires passing Measure W.'

Davis Board of Education member Gina Daleiden, who is co-chairing the campaign supporting Measure W, said in response to Munn's letter, 'As we are all aware, this year's state budget crisis has resulted in dismal funding for schools across California, and Measure W is needed for local support to save our quality educational programs that state dollars fail to adequately fund.'

Daleiden added, 'The district has worked hard to incorporate a high degree of accountability and transparency in Measure W, so that everyone can see it's a wise investment in our community, our kids and our future.

'We welcome the support of the Taxpayers Association and their president, former school board member John Munn. We agree we must all work together to pass Measure W,' Daleiden said.

Measure W would cost owners of single-family homes $120 per year, over a three-year period. Owners of apartments, duplexes and other multi-unit homes would pay $50 per year. The money would fund elementary school music and science programs, school librarians, certain class size reduction programs and other positions.

In general, Measure W would continue to fund multiple positions that were threatened by layoffs earlier this year, and were funded for the current school year by the approximately $1.7 million in donations raised by the nonprofit Davis Schools Foundation.

A two-thirds majority is required for passage of a parcel tax like Measure W.

Measure W faces no organized opposition by a committee. However, a ballot argument against Measure W was filed by Coleman Thomas Randall Jr., a local political activist.