A Ventura County Star article recently quoted School of Communication Associate Director Imre Meszaros about the upcoming vote that will allow for new funding in several Ventura County school districts.

According to Meszaros, voters are more likely to show their support for local school measures instead of statewide initiatives because the impact that they have is more direct.

"Support for local school spending is, in general, quite strong. And it's strong among people with educational experience, the elderly and parents," Meszaros said. "People realize education is important. It improves property values and drives people to the community."

One of the measures they are trying to pass is a parcel tax. The tax needs a 67 percent approval, while the rest of the measures only need 55 percent.

"There's a big difference between 55 and 67 percent," Meszaros said. "Think of the last time the president got 67 percent. If it's 55 to 45 percent, they call it a landslide."

In 2010, Meszaros received the “Dissertation of the Year Award” at the Rossier School of Education for his research on The Political Economy of California School District Parcel Tax Elections. Meszaros also earned his Doctorate of Education from the Rossier School of Education.