Cupertino Voters Extend Support for FUHSD Cupertino Schools But Not Enough for Measure G to Pass

Cupertino Voters Extend Support for FUHSD Cupertino Schools But Not Enough for Measure G to Pass

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Whether you live in Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale or Los Altos, your property's value benefits from being in the Fremont Union High School District (commonly referred to as "Cupertino Schools"). http://www.fuhsd.org

Yet when the home phone rang at 7:00 pm tonight we were surprised, as most people call us on our cell phones. A Fremont Union High School District student called to remind my husband to vote on Measure G tonight. Our daughter who attends high school in the district had also made calls like this, so we were familiar with the campaign. We'd talked to another volunteer this past weekend in fact. They weren't taking any chances, even with just an hour to go, volunteers were putting full effort forth.

Their persistence paid off. With 59 percent voting yes, Measure G cleared majority approval; however it needed 2/3 approval to pass.

Measure G was basically an extension of the existing parcel tax at the same amount of $98, which is set to expire, as well as an annual adjustment for inflation. It exempted homeowners who are seniors and/or disabled. (Full description below).

NOVEMBER 3, 2009: MEASURE G
To provide stable, local funds needed to protect teaching positions, and assure that Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook, and Monta Vista High School students are prepared to successfully compete for college admission, shall the Fremont Union High School District replace its existing, expiring parcel tax with a tax at the same annual rate of $98 per parcel to be adjusted annually for inflation, with all funds benefitting local high schools, and offering an exemption to seniors and the disabled?

According to information for the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year from the California Dept of Education, following is some basic information on district funding dollars per student as compared to all of California as well as other nearby districts with high-performing academic scores.

Fremont Union High School District $9,255

Statewide Average for all High Schools $9,433

San Jose Unified $9,818
Los Gatos-Saratoga HS $11,264
Mountain View- Los Altos HS $12,699
Palo Alto Unified - $13,509

Thank you to the teachers leading and helping our students. Thank you to the students who volunteered to cold-call people they didn't know and ask them to vote Yes on Measure G. Thank you to the voters for making their voices heard.