Funding Options
With the imminent funding crisis, we are focused on what WE CAN DO locally in Ross Valley.
Given our available funding options, updating our local school parcel tax is the only viable solution.
Federal
Given the current state of federal funding for education and the Department of Education, it is unlikely we would have additional federal funding by 2028.
This is not something we can influence or control.
State
Changes to the current state funding formula (LCFF) would require legislation and is a multi year process, unlikely to save our Ross Valley Schools before 2028.
Our superintendent, school board and parent leaders are advocating for changes at the state level, but this is a long term solution and still may leave a funding gap, albeit less than our current shortfall.
Local
The ONLY viable solution in our timeframe is a school parcel tax.
This is something we can do and have done locally since 1987 to maintain our successful public schools in Ross Valley.
But if anyone has a philanthropic fairy, we'd also take their number.
Our current school parcel tax
Since 1987, Fairfax and San Anselmo voters have supported school parcel taxes in order to fund our schools, to great results. Our public schools are top-performing, and every year new families move to the district for our excellent public schools, bringing new life to our towns and businesses.
Our current school parcel tax expires on June 30, 2028, only covering the next two school years. In order to preserve the quality education our children currently receive, and keep schools open, we must pass a new school parcel tax in 2026 to replace the existing school parcel tax before it expires, effective immediately. Given the community feedback from Measure E, we do not want the ballot measure in a Special Election - and all Marin County Elections in 2027 will be Special Elections, we can't wait.
The district has already made many cuts to our children's education over the last year, and now is the time to ask the community for support.
The process of getting the school parcel tax on the ballot for an election takes time and, even if it passes, the election needs to be certified well in advance of the expiration so the Tax Assessor can include it on property tax bills after that date.
We’re running out of time.
When a school parcel tax comes to ballot, it needs to pass with a ⅔ majority vote.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS in these small elections.
The difference could come down to 10 or 20 votes - your vote matters!
We need the entire community to vote and support our schools.