The James Logan Courier

By Rick La Plante, New Haven Schools Public Information Officer

Seeking alternative funding to continue to improve student achievement despite continuing state budget cuts, the New Haven Unified School District has begun surveying voters regarding the possibility of a parcel tax.

“The situation in Sacramento is only getting worse, and it’s having a devastating effect on education,” Superintendent Kari McVeigh said. “We’ve been able to delay some of the measures other districts have had to take, including laying off teachers and increasing class sizes, but the time is coming -- and soon -- when we will have no choice."
Click here to take the survey.

“The New Haven community has always taken great pride in its schools, and I think all of us are proud of the gains we’re making in student achievement. A parcel tax won’t solve all of the financial burdens that the state is placing on us -- and on our children -- but it will give us some relief and help us maintain the progress we’ve begun making in our classrooms.”

A telephone pollster has been sampling District residents for the past several days, and the District is launching an online survey today. Voters who live in the District (which includes all of Union City and the southernmost part of Hayward) are invited to go to click here to take the survey. The url is: href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=XP50Cdr_2bbcLdcgsRxkMrhw_3d_3d

In addition, paper surveys are available at all school sites, including the New Haven Adult School, as well as at the Educational Services Center, 34200 Alvarado-Niles Road, and the Cabello Student Support Center, 4500 Cabello Street. Paper surveys also are available at the Union City Library and the Ruggieri Senior Center as well as at Paddy’s Coffee, 3900 Smith Street, and 1st United Services Credit Union, 33131 Alvarado-Niles Road.

The deadline for paper surveys to be returned is noon Friday. The online survey will remain open through 5 p.m. Friday.