IRVINE

Irvine’s PTA council is joining forces with community leaders to back a “parcel tax” ballot initiative in a last-ditch effort to save the school district’s arts and science programs. The controversial measure would impose a $95 annual property tax on each home in the district to raise money for Irvine Unified School District. “It raises a modest $3.7 million per year to ensure continued funding for school safety, science, technology, class-size reduction and neighborhood programs,” said Marilyn Jacks, the PTA council president who is coordinating the council’s campaign.