Registered voters living in the Rowland Unified School District (Rowland Heights and parts of Walnut, La Puente and West Covina) will receive their Measure E ballot by mail this week.

Voting will take place by mail ballot during the month of June. All completed ballots must be received by June 30. The District is now facing a projected $16 million in cuts due to the State Budget crises.

This will have a devastating impact on every school in the District and the critical educational programs provided. Measure E is a local parcel tax that would help raise an estimated $2.5 annually for five years only.

These funds could not be taken away by the State and would provide stable funds to be used to continue these valuable programs:

– Maintain college preparation classes and high school counselors

– Preserve student health/safety/security services

– Provide adequate instructional materials and classroom technology

– Keep school libraries open

– Protect small class sizes

– Maintain music and art programs

– Retain qualified, experienced teachers

If approved, Measure E will cost property owners $10 per month, for a total of $120 per year. Property owners age 65 and over can apply for an exemption.

The deadline to fill out the senior exemption form is July 30. An independent Community Oversight Committee will be appointed by the RUSD School Board to make sure that school parcel tax funds are properly spent.

To pass, Measure E must receive at least 66.7% support from those who vote on the measure. For further information, please contact the RUSD Communications Office at (626)854-8352 or visit www.RowlandSchools.org