Community colleges ask for $69 per parcel

With our own parcel tax problems with Measure B, it's easy to forget the crisis that neighbor schools are facing.  De Anza and Foothill Community College Districts new parcel tax is just hitting the streets. The $20 million cut on our community colleges has caused them to cut many teachers and classes. Students are trying to get back on track by proposing a $69 parcel tax for all Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino and Sunnyvale home owners.  

Students from Foothill and De Anza under the direction of campaign manager Melisa Melo have set up a phone banking site in the Oaks Plaza and are educating voters on the content and advantages  of Measure E, Monday through Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.

"I am a biology major, and for some reason it is always the science classes that are getting cut," said De Anza student Jamie Oesek, "I am hoping that with Measure E, I can finally take my requirements, like Biology 40B."

With only one class per quarter for hundreds of students, many students are unable to fulfill their requirements and receive a quality education. 

With the parcel tax, they hope to bring back many math, science, engineering and writing classes.

"This tax should pass, if people have a heart," said De Anza nursing student Sarah Ewing

The money received will go fully to students without cuts for the state or administration and the tax will only last the next six years. A two thirds vote is required in order for this parcel tax to pass and the community colleges are doing whatever they can to ensure the passing of this parcel tax.