College District to Not Renew Parcel Tax

The College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on February 26 not to renew the District's parcel tax.  Board President Karen Schwarz expressed the Board's deep appreciation to San Mateo County voters who agreed four years ago to tax themselves to help the District through a fiscal crisis brought on by years of state budget reductions.

"The parcel tax--the first ever for a community college district in California--allowed our Colleges to offer hundreds of classes to tens of thousands of students who otherwise wouldn't have been served," she said.  At the time, the Colleges were facing unprecedented demand for classes, due to the recession and widespread unemployment.  At one point, President Schwarz said, there were more than 13,000 students on wait lists for classes.

"Our  fiscal situation has stabilized and improved," President Schwarz said, attributing it to a rebounding economy.  Therefore, she said, the College District will not ask voters for a renewal of the tax, which will expire in June.

President Schwarz again thanked voters for their support which helped the District "weather the storm" of fiscal exigency four years ago.