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At a time when districts across the state are slashing teaching positions, raising class sizes and cutting programs, a group of educators are making a big push toward reducing the voter support requirement for a school district to pass a parcel tax tax.

Californians for Improved School Funding (CISF) is trying for a ballot initiative to lower the threshold to pass a parcel tax from two thirds to 55 percent.

Local school districts are hailing the effort, which they say would make it easier to pass parcel taxes.

Last week, the Bassett Unified school board unanimously passed a resolution in support of the proposal.

"I supported it because the bottom line is for districts, we can no longer depend on the state for a steady stream of funding," said school board member Paul Solano. "That's become obvious and this is an option for us districts to rely on local control."

The district is cutting $2.5 million from its budget next year and may lay off 50 employees.

Solano said the school board hasn't discussed the possibility of a parcel tax in over a year, but he wouldn't rule out the option.

Pasadena Unified is attempting to pass a parcel tax that it says could raise $7 million annually to preserve teachers and programs. If passed by voters on the May 4 mail-in ballot, it would cost $120 a year for 59,000 property-owners in Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Altadena.

The effort would not be affected by a November

ballot measure, but a school district official said he would still support an initiative.

"School districts have been most greatly affected from state cuts more than any organization in the state," said school board president Tom Selinske.