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A SPECIAL EDITION OF SOUTH VALLEY & SAN BENITO MAGAZINES
Kids of Summer APRIL 12, 2019
& Recreation Guide
Kids of Summer & Recreation Guide inside
CITY CONSIDERS IMPACT FEE HIKE P2 | HOMELESS FAMILY STRUGGLES P10 | LIVE OAK BOYS VOLLEYBALL P17
$1 • Friday, April 12, 2019 • Vol. 126, No. 12 • morganhilltimes.com • Serving Morgan Hill since 1894
Preparers grapple with new tax law SCHEDULES BOOKED LEADING UP TO APRIL 15 Erik Chalhoub Business Editor
➝ Tax time, 11
Robert Eliason
With Tax Day approaching on April 15, local tax preparers are feeling the brunt of the new law that recently went into effect. In December 2017 President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, billed as the largest tax reform in three decades. The law applies to 2018 tax filings. The law changed, among many other things, the tax brackets based on a single person’s or married couple’s income. For example, a single individual who makes $38,701$82,500 annually saw their income tax rate drop from 25 percent to 22 percent on Jan. 1, 2018, meaning they would receive slightly more money per paycheck. However, this has resulted in smaller refunds, or worse, taxpayers finding that they owe money to the government in April. When asked about the upcoming Tax Day and how the new laws are affecting residents, four local tax services businesses—Eigleberry Tax Service and Tax Systems in Gilroy, as well as Mariposa Tax Service and Larry L. Snyder Tax
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Members of the Ann Sobrato High School marching band, seen during an April 5 session, can opt to take a PE/Marching Band course for physical education credit next school year.
March for credit NEW PILOT PROGRAM WILL GO INTO EFFECT FOR 2019-2020 YEAR Scott Forstner Reporter
Before an enthusiastic audience of marching band proponents, Morgan Hill
Unified School District’s Board of Education unanimously approved a new two-year pilot class that will allow high school students to receive physical education credit for participating in marching band. “This pilot course is a result of staff putting the needs of students above all else,” said Superintendent Steve Betando. “Our music instructors went
the extra mile to obtain a PE credential along with developing a Band/ PE course outline that includes all the standards for both content areas.” The year-long class, which offers five credits in both visual and performing arts and physical education, was developed by band directors Jason Locsin of Live Oak High School and Greg
Chambers of Ann Sobrato High School. The class is held during the school day. “If it opens the doors to future creative opportunities (for our students), then that’s great,” said Board President Mary Patterson. She noted that parents of high school seniors who won’t even be able to take advantage of the new pilot class spoke in support of it at the April 2 meeting.
“That really made an impression on me,” Patterson said. Betando thanked the parents for pursuing the option—which put the idea on the district’s radar—and also “the students for advocating for the course even if some of the student speakers won’t reap the benefits of the ➝ Marching band, 12
Board aims for new bonds in 2020 BOND WOULD BE BETWEEN $243-$280M Scott Forstner Reporter
Morgan Hill Unified School District’s board of education wants to ask voters to help fund future facility upgrades with a new bond measure in 2020, according to Board President Mary Patterson. “Facilities Master Plan
and the needs of students and staff continue to guide us as we see ongoing requirements to replace outdated learning spaces and to upgrade technology and infrastructure across the district,” said Patterson when asked about the possibility of floating a new bond measure to taxpayers. Superintendent Steve Betando also told those attending the April 4 Morgan Hill Chamber
of Commerce Breakfast about the school board’s intentions after the idea was brought up during a Facilities Master Plan discussion at the April 2 board meeting. Two options, outlined in an April 2 staff report, for a bond on the 2020 election ballot are: • A $243.5 million bond with four issuances of about $61 million every two years and a repayment period of 30 years
at 5.23 percent interest rate. The average annual tax rate for property owners would be $52.19 per $100,000 assessed property value; or • A $280.5 million bond with four issuances of about $70 million every three years and a repayment period of 30 years at 5.20 interest rate. The average annual tax rate for property owners would be $52.61 per $100,000 assessed property value.
“Staff will bring more specific funding proposals to the board soon for consideration,” Patterson added. The district has allocated much of the $198 million in bond money from the Measure G general obligation bond. Measure G was approved in November 2012 with a 64 percent vote. The money was designated to ➝ Bond, 12
Facilities Master Plan and the needs of students and staff continue to guide us as we see ongoing requirements to replace outdated learning spaces and to upgrade technology and infrastructure across the district. —MHUSD BOARD PRESIDENT MARY PATTERSON