MISSION VIEJO : City to Study Where School Taxes Go

A city panel will look into whether taxpayers are being asked to pay too much for schools in Aliso Viejo.

On Thursday, the City Council assigned the panel to meet with Capistrano Unified School District officials to see whether money raised through Mello-Roos districts is being used properly. Those are special taxing districts that allow money for building new school facilities to be raised through property tax assessments.

Councilwoman Sharon Cody said Thursday night that city taxpayers should not pay more than their fair share for schools in a community that does not share a border with Mission Viejo.

“Because these communities are not contiguous, and in fact are several miles apart, the district can hardly make a case for reasonable access,” Cody said.

The district has issued $50 million in bonds to buy land for future Aliso Viejo schools, while a proposed elementary school in Mission Viejo would cost about $5 million, she said.

“This is a travesty of justice,” Cody said. “The Capistrano school district is diverting tax dollars to Aliso Viejo that should be staying in our community.”

But school officials said that it is not uncommon for residents of one city to be taxed for schools in another community and that Mission Viejo residents are paying their fair share.

“We place schools where they are needed within the district,” said James Fleming, district superintendent. “You have to place the facilities where growth is expected.”

The difference between money allocated for the two communities “is not disproportionate,” he said. “There is some level of discrepancy, but it’s not great.”

Fleming said the district has agreed to meet with the panel soon. “We hope we can work this out with Mission Viejo,” he said.