November 2nd 2024.
Looking for some guidance on how to vote in the upcoming election? We've got you covered with our complete list of election recommendations. This Tuesday, eleven school districts in the South and East Bay will have measures on the ballot that aim to raise property taxes in order to provide additional funding for education. As a voter, it's important to carefully consider the details of each measure before making a decision.
One key factor to consider is the amount of the tax and whether it is a permanent tax or has a termination date. It's also important to look into whether the district already collects other voter-approved taxes. Unfortunately, some districts fail to disclose this information on the ballot or in the official voter guides. So, it's a good idea for property owners to check their tax bills before casting their vote.
When weighing the cost of the tax, it's important to balance the needs of the district. Often, ballot language for parcel tax measures can be full of impressive-sounding promises about how the money will be used. However, in most cases, the funds will simply go towards the district's general operations.
Out of the eleven measures, we have evaluated the proposals for the three largest districts and have come up with our recommendations. Here's a breakdown of each district and our reasoning behind our decision.
First up, we have the East Side Union High School District. We recommend a "Yes" vote for Measure N. This measure would impose a $49 annual parcel tax for five years to fund operations. This may seem like a modest amount compared to other Bay Area districts, but it's important to note that the district does not currently have any other parcel tax for operations. Additionally, the district receives significantly less funding per student compared to other districts. With declining enrollment and a structural budget deficit, the district will likely need to make cuts regardless of the outcome of this measure.
Next, we have the Milpitas Unified School District. We also recommend a "Yes" vote for Measure Q. This measure would impose a $119 annual parcel tax for eight years, on top of an existing parcel tax for operations that voters extended until 2031 in 2022. While this may seem like a significant amount, the district is facing a projected budget shortfall of $10 million to $12 million in the next two fiscal years. The bigger issue at hand is the district's need to address this shortfall. It's also worth noting that the ballot language and supplementary materials do not mention the existing parcel tax, so voters should be aware of this when making their decision.
Lastly, we recommend a "Yes" vote for Measure Q in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. This measure would extend an existing parcel tax for operations for nine years. The cost would be $144 per parcel annually, on top of an existing parcel tax for school construction bonds. While this may seem like a high amount, it's important to note that the district is simply extending an existing tax that is due to expire in 2025. This measure also vastly improves upon two measures that were rejected by voters earlier this year. The district called for a costly special election in May, but voters rejected both measures. Now, the district is proposing a more reasonable extension of the existing parcel tax. This will provide $6.8 million annually to help keep the district's budget balanced. However, the district should use this time to adjust their budget and plan for the future, so they don't have to rely on another parcel tax extension down the road.
In conclusion, as you consider your vote on these measures, it's important to carefully evaluate the details and weigh the needs of the district against the cost to taxpayers. We hope our recommendations provide some helpful insight as you make your decision on Election Day.
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