If approved, Measure A will extend two taxes scheduled to expire this year that cost the average homeowner $365 annually. The taxes have permitted the district to reduce class size and add enrichment programs and teacher training.

The proposed measure would levy a 10-year tax of 23 cents per square foot for private property, 34 cents per square foot on commercial property and 50 cents per square foot for unimproved lots. Qualified low-income seniors would be exempt.

The measure, which must earn two-thirds of the vote to go into effect, replaces the 1986 Berkeley Schools Excellence Project and the two-year-old Measure B.

Colleen McCann, who has owned her home on 63rd Street since 1992, displayed a “Yes on A” sign in her shrubs.

“I am concerned about taxes, but not that particular one,” said McCann whose two children attend John Muir Elementary School.

However, not all homeowners were as enthusiastic.

Mark Seasholes, who lives on Dwight Way, is unsure if he will vote for the measure. He purchased his house three years ago and pays $9,762 in various property taxes including the 1 percent annual tax.

“I don’t mind supporting schools, but don’t you think it is too much?” Seasholes asked, pointing to a copy of his property tax bill.

“If I rent my house for $2,000 a month, almost half of it would go to pay taxes,” he said. “I didn’t even mention paying the mortgage here.”

Another homeowner said he grudgingly supported previous tax measures for the schools.

Ted Dienstfrey, a retired planner and former director of the San Francisco Housing Authority, said his three children attended Berkeley public schools in the 1970s and 1980s, but the youngest child attended a private school in the fifth and sixth grades.

“I’ve never been very excited about the schools,” Dienstfrey said. “I have always voted for supporting schools, but it is never enough.”

Dienstfrey, who bought his house near the intersection of College and Ashby avenues in 1972, pays significantly less in property taxes than those who purchased homes more recently. The special taxes represent almost three-fourths of his total bill.

“They always want more,” said Dienstfrey. “It can’t go forever.”

When asked whether he would vote for Measure A, Dienstfrey said, “It depends on my mood on election day.”

The taxes have kept class sizes at or below the target levels, according to a report presented to the Berkeley School Board Wednesday night.

“Before Measure B the class size at Berkeley High was 35 to 38 students, now it’s 27,” said Aaron Glimme, an advanced placement chemistry teacher at the high school who also conducted the data analysis for the report.

For example, the school’s records show that the average science class had 32 students in the 2002-2003 year and 27 students this year based on October’s enrollment data.

If property owners vote against this measure, the district will lose funds that pay the salaries of at least 125 teachers, as well as some librarians and counselors.

“One third of the school district employees, mostly music teachers, counselors and librarians, are paid by this fund,” said Mark Coplan, a spokesperson for the Berkeley Unified School District.

Some property owners fear local measures are becoming more difficult to pass because there have been so many of them.

However, Coplan said he is confident Measure A will pass.

“The survey showed it,” Coplan added. “Nearly 80 percent of those who were surveyed expressed their support for the district’s proposal because they value what benefits this measure brings.”

The official website shows that the district plans to spend about two-thirds of the parcel tax money or $12.5 million, to maintain small student to teacher ratios.

At present, that means ratios of 20 to 1 for kindergarten through third grade; 26 to 1 for grades four and five; 28 to 1 for the remaining grades; and 18 to 1 for continuation high school and other secondary opportunity programs.

Also the measure will provide music education for all fourth and fifth grade students, and many sixth to eighth grade students. It will also fund other enrichment classes.