The Santa Barbara Unified school board on Tuesday adopted a resolution supporting and endorsing Proposition 15, which would raise new revenue for schools by changing the way most commercial and industrial property taxes are levied.
Otherwise known as the Schools and Local Communities Funding Act, Prop. 15 would raise the money by lifting the 2 percent annual cap on property tax increases for commercial properties, but not residential. Prop. 15 is estimated to generate $8.5 billion-$12 billion annually, 60 percent of which would go to local governments and 40 percent would go to K-14 schools.
“I’m here in support of Proposition 15,” said Yesenia Ramirez, a Dos Pueblos alumna who graduated last year. “I know that this district can really use the money, especially in meeting demands of ethnic studies. They need a department to organize and collaborate.”