Tamalpais Union High School District, California, Measure B, Parcel Tax (March 2020)

If this Measure is approved by two-thirds of the votes cast on this special tax proposal, the Tamalpais Union High School District will be authorized to levy an annual qualified special tax of $645 per parcel of taxable real property, beginning July 1, 2020, for a maximum of 10 years, with 3% annual increases to account for increases in the cost of living. This special tax, if approved by voters, will supersede and replace the existing special taxes authorized by voters as Measure B in November 2011 and Measure J in November 2018, as of July 1, 2020.

The estimated revenue from this tax is approximately $23,000,000 annually. This Measure states that proceeds of the tax will be used for attracting and retaining teachers, maintaining academic and arts programs, and supporting college preparation and career-development programs for students. Proceeds will be controlled locally, reviewed by an independent citizen oversight committee, and may not be used for administrative salaries or benefits.

The Measure provides that exemptions from payment of the special tax may be granted for certain property owners aged 65 years and older as well as certain persons receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability or Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits.

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the Tamalpais Union High School District.^[2]

Vote YES on B to prevent devastating cuts to Tamalpais Union High School District schools.

Drake, Redwood, Tam, San Andreas and Tamiscal High Schools provide an outstanding education to local students, thanks to local funding that provides $16.8 million each year and accounts for 17% of the budget. This expiring local funding keeps qualified and experienced teachers in the classroom and protects high-quality academics.

Our District has taken every step to manage its budget wisely and just received an AAA credit rating - the highest rating possible - from Moody’s Investors Service when refinancing bonds to save taxpayers $4 million. In the past two years, the District cut nearly $6 million from the budget by cutting administrators, reducing staff and capping benefits. Any further cuts will have a direct impact on the classroom.

In addition, due to rising student enrollment our District needed to hire over 70 teachers - yet no additional funding comes from the State to cover these costs. Furthermore, unfunded State-mandated costs continue to rise.

This is why your YES vote is important. Measure B renews and increases expiring local funding and prevents devastating cuts equivalent to laying off 114 teachers. Every penny is locally-controlled and directly supports students.

Vote YES on B

Maintain high-quality science, technology, engineering, math, reading and writing instruction Attract and retain high-quality teachers Support music and art programs Maintain college preparation programs Maintain career-development and vocational jobtraining programs Oversight and Local Control are Required

Every penny stays local No funds can be taken by the State Independent citizen oversight and audits are required No funds can support administrator salaries Seniors will continue to be eligible for an exemption from the cost Join parents, teachers, community leaders, seniors and business leaders in voting YES on B to maintain our outstanding schools and prevent teacher layoffs.^[2]

Voters should reject Measure B, an unfair and unaffordable ten-year parcel tax renewal and dramatic increase. Your taxes start at $645 a year, increasing 3% annually, reaching $842 in 10 years. Up from $300 just 2 years ago.

Voters passed a $149 second parcel tax for TUHSD in 2018 (on top of the larger existing one). TUHSD is adding back costs reduced just last year and wants another $190! Measure B is unfair because it’s a flat rate. A studio pays the same as a mansion, mall or apartment complex. TUHSD says this tax hike request was always part of the plan. This was not disclosed to voters who approved Measure J 16 months ago. Rising enrollment is the supposed reason for a higher tax. But their own study shows enrollment declines start in 3 years. No 10-year financial forecast justifies the proposed 10-year tax. Pension expenses are why we’re facing so many tax measures. TUHSD must lobby Sacramento for reform instead of hitting homeowners with increasing parcel taxes. Seniors and medically disabled: Though you can get an exemption from this tax, it DOES harm you. Your friends, neighbors, and caregivers are forced out by unaffordability. Your kids can’t live nearby. Higher taxes don’t help property values, and they threaten your quality of life. Don’t believe threats of teacher layoffs and rising class sizes. Current parcel taxes don’t expire until 2022, giving the District time to rethink its needs and present a fairer, more affordable proposal.

The Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers supported 2018’s Measure J as a 4-year urgent measure for a school district threatened by insolvency. With 2018 Measure J’s $5 million annual infusion, TUHSD hasn’t made the case for a much higher tax lasting 10 years. CO$T OPPOSES Measure B.

VOTE NO.^[2]