It is a tremendous long shot, but there is a mathematical chance Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District?s Measure A could pass when ballot counting resumes on Friday. The measure, which would tax property owners $198 per parcel, requires two-thirds voter support for passage. The preliminary result from Tuesday had support at 63.18 percent, or 11,330 votes. There were 6,603 votes in opposition. Approximately 3,300 ballots that did not arrive at the Los Angeles County Registrar?s Office until Tuesday remain to be counted. Approximately 86 percent of them must be Yes votes for the measure to win.
Registrar spokesperson Marcia Ventura said there is no guarantee ballot counting will conclude tomorrow. She said there is a goal to have the process finished by June 4.
Meanwhile, the SMMUSD has already begun preparing for next fiscal year without the estimated $5.7 million Measure A would generate. The Board of Education met last night and will continue meeting tonight about the district staff?s proposed $8.9 million in cuts. Also, at last night?s meeting, school district officials and members of the public discussed various revenue enhancement concepts, including fundraising and presenting a new parcel tax to the voters in November.