Pasadena Unified School Board Wants to Gauge Support for a New Parcel Tax and Bond

The Pasadena School Board was in favor of a proposal by consultant Dale Scott & Company presented Thursday night to conduct a survey to determine support for a parcel tax and general obligation bond measure on the November 2024 ballot.

A parcel tax is used for district operations, staff  salaries, class size reduction, among other programs according to Dale Scott from Dale Scott & Company.

A general obligation bond, on the other hand, would fund future facility improvements.

According to Scott, the survey is planned to start in October, with results presented to the board in November. Board action is anticipated in spring of 2024. 

“Information is power, people. Let’s find out what the voters appetite is and let’s decide,” said Board member Patric Marshall McKenzie. 

Board member Patrick Cahalan expressed support for a parcel tax measure on the November 2024 ballot but he expressed reservations on the bond measure. 

“We still have quite some time between now and 2028 to actually show the public that we know what we are doing with our bond money before we ask them for another bond issue,” said Cahalan. 

“That said, I don’t have a problem with [doing a survey for both].” 

“I too agree we should move forward with surveying both,” said President Michelle Richardson Bailey. 

Board member Yarma Velázquez said she is committed to working with the board to help pass a parcel tax.

Like Cahalan, she pointed out that “there is going to be a strong relationship between our ability to demonstrate success in our uses with our bond and our ability to succeed in convincing our neighbors to support the tax. “

In November 2020, voters approved Measure O, which authorized the Pasadena Unified School District to issue up to $516.3 million in bonds with bond revenue going to fund upgrades to schools, technology access, drinking water, facilities and equipment, repairs to bathrooms, roofs and labs, and removal of hazardous materials.