FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Keziah Moss, Director of Community & Employee Engagement, (510) 667-6202, kmoss@slusd.us

November 7, 2018

San Leandro Unified School District is celebrating a big win for their schools today. The San Leandro community came out to support their parcel tax, Measure I, which passed last night at 72.89%. Even though the celebrations are qualified, with 15% of ballots yet to be counted, the district expressed the need to be proactive in appreciating voters who responded positively to their financial need. “We are deeply thankful for the ongoing community commitment to our schools,” said Dr. Michael McLaughlin, district superintendent, “SLUSD feels the appreciation from our community that this win represents.”

Measure I will restore essential funding previously approved by voters to protect the quality of education in the district’s schools, which ended this past summer. The $39 parcel tax will go towards programs in math, science, technology, skilled trades, and the arts that prepare students for success in college and career. The funds will also be used to attract and retain highly qualified teachers, which has become extremely challenging with the booming Bay Area economy and housing market.  With California ranking among the lowest in the nation for per-pupil spending when adjusted for the cost of living, SLUSD continues to rely on financial support from their community to support their initiatives.

The Measure I steering committee, led by SLED Executive Director Morgan Mack Rose and former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy was extremely active in raising community awareness about the parcel tax and central to the success. Committee members include SLUSD School Board Trustee Evelyn Gonzalez, Trustee-Elect Christian Rodriguez and his wife Marina, SLUSD Assistant Superintendent Kevin Collins,  Chris Deng, Lesley Feikert, Mike Katz, Jill Stowe, and Kathy Vitz. “I want to convey my sincere appreciation for their tireless work on our behalf,” said McLaughlin, “The great strides we have made in SLUSD are due much to their leadership.”