How We Fix This
- nrehkopf
- Dec 4, 2025
- 2 min read
Given the imminent funding crisis, we are focused on short term solutions and what we CAN DO locally to save our public schools.
THE CRISIS IS REAL: Our school district has already made significant cuts (link cuts in FAQ) over the past five years.
We’ve already cut:
Human Resources
Kindergarten Aides and Librarians
10 Guest Support Teachers
½ of our Counseling Program
2. THE TIMELINE IS URGENT: Without a new school parcel tax passing in 2026 we are looking at the following cuts and CLOSURES:
3. THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR: Fantastic teachers have left our schools
4. WE'VE LEARNED: [What the district has done differently—more transparency, clearer communication, etc.]
Even though 62% of Ross Valley voters approved the school parcel tax (Measure E) in May 2025, it fell short of the required ⅔ (66.67%) supermajority.
OUR OPTIONS:
Federal Funding: Given the current state of federal funding for education and the Department of Education, it is unlikely we would not have additional federal funding by 2028. This is not something we can influence or control.
State Funding: Changes to the current state funding formula would require legislation and is a years-long process, unlikely to come quick enough to save our Ross Valley Schools. But we can still advocate for this long-term. Write to Senator (Insert Link)
Local School Parcel Tax: The ONLY viable solution in our timeframe. This is something WE CAN DO locally to maintain our successful public schools. Since 1993, Fairfax and San Anselmo voters have upheld and supported 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.
Here is a breakdown of the current school parcel taxes paid by Ross Valley and similar districts:
Here is what the school parcel tax looks like on your annual property tax bill:
Our current school parcel tax expires on June 30, 2028, only covering the next two school years. In order to preserve the quality education that our children 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.
The district has already made many cuts to our education over the last year, and now is the time to ask the community for support. The process of getting the 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 that the Tax Assessor can include it on tax bills after that date. We’re running out of time.
If our community does not pass a school parcel tax with a ⅔ majority vote, the district will be forced to make more cuts to San Anselmo and Fairfax schools, and even consider closing schools and sending students to different schools in the district, increasing class sizes significantly. This would cause a cascading effect: school ratings decline which causes home values to decline which causes the property tax base to decrease which further harms the schools’ abilities to fund vital programs. Our kids deserve better!
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