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Right now it appears that the majority of people in the OCS district would not want to pay <br />significantly higher taxes than they are already paying. For example, the results of the November 2001 <br />bond referendum showed that people in the CHCCS district voted 2 to 1 in favor of the bonds, while people <br />in the OCS district voted 2 to 1 against. It would appear that a major obstacle to raising taxes in the OCS <br />district is that a majority in that district would be opposed. However, in a merged system, a majority of <br />people in the entire county might be in favor. <br />The major reason for merger seems to be achieving equity in funding for the two school systems, a <br />result that would require a huge tax increase in the OCS district. Moreover, there are significant tasks <br />besides increasing OCS funding that must be completed in any merger plan, including decisions an the <br />composition and election of a new school board. <br />Therefore I support addressing the funding disparity, but I do not support merger. I also support <br />voluntary collaboration between the two school districts to enhance educational programs and services. <br />Before merger is contemplated, we need analyses of what is best for the children and how both systems <br />would improve in a larger district. Right now bath districts are among the best funded in the state and both <br />offer very good educational programs under local control. Let us assume we can correct the funding <br />disparity. Apart from the benefit to the OCS from increased funding, I am not aware of any studies or <br />demonstrations that there would be increased educational benefits to the two districts over and above <br />increased funding. That is why I believe there are compelling arguments for correcting the disparity, but not <br />compelling arguments for merger beyond the correction of the funding inequity. <br />The first part of the proposal that I made on November 11, 2003 included steps toward funding equity. <br />The benefit of these steps is that they would, if followed, provide for a countywide supplemental tax that <br />would allocate additional money to the OCS by July 1, 2004. The commissioners would need to decide <br />the ultimate maximum level of the tax, and the voters would have to approve it. The advantage of the <br />tax is that it is a permanent, targeted tax that would be approved by a vote of the people, and it would <br />specifically provide money to the OCS as soon as possible. If the commissioners and the voters <br />agreed, the amount of tax levied could increase in subsequent years until the funding disparity was <br />reduced or even eliminated. <br />The second part of my proposal included steps toward collaboration. These steps involve a <br />partnership of the school boards and the commissioners to achieve meaningful collaboration bath in the <br />short term and long term. <br />The details of my proposal are given below. The proposal is the same as the one presented on <br />November 11, 2003. <br />STEPS TOWARD FUNDING EQUITY <br />The commissioners should take the following steps to achieve funding equity between the two school <br />districts. (The date to take the step is given in parentheses.) <br />I. Decide to call an election to determine whether voters wish to implement a countywide supplemental tax <br />(ad valorem tax) for education. Instruct staff to bring back a report in January 2004 concerning the <br />recommended process for this vote. The process should include the elements listed below. <br />(November/December 2003} <br />A. After receiving the staff report, the commissioners will decide the maximum rate at which the tax <br />can be levied. <br />B. The vote on the tax will take place during the 2004 primary election (usually held on the first <br />Tuesday in May}. <br />C. The proceeds of the tax will be used to "operate schools of a higher standard." <br />D. Upon a favorable vote in May, the tax will take effect on July 1, 2004.* <br />