Palo Alto Unified Eyes a New Parcel Tax Vote: $904.92 Annual Levy Expires in 2027 as District Faces a $33 Million Shortfall
In Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education unanimously expressed support at its October 15 meeting for putting a parcel tax measure back before voters, possibly as soon as March 2027. The district has relied on the parcel tax since 2001; the current levy is set at $904.92 per parcel and generates approximately $16.5 million a year in unrestricted funding, and it expires in 2027. In June, the board attempted to renew the tax at a lowered rate of $800 per parcel through Measure B, which won about 61 percent support but fell short of the 66.6 percent approval threshold required to pass.
The district must cut $33 million from its spending over the next year to address its budget shortfall, raising the prospect of staff layoffs. Assistant Superintendent Herb Hespiritu told the board the district could recoup approximately $17 million if a new parcel tax passes. Several board members favored voting as early as March so results arrive before layoff notices go out that month. "I feel strongly that the community understands that we need this parcel tax and if it doesn't pass, it's not a question mark as to what will happen," said board member Shana Segal. "That number is $33 million in cuts." The district's election consultant, however, recommended waiting until May to allow more time for information materials and rebuilding constituent relationships.
Superintendent Jason Glass said he hopes to earn the public's trust before asking for additional funding. Board members opted to wait until they meet with the election consultant before solidifying the measure's parameters in November, and Board President Shounak Dharap said the new board will likely make the final decisions. "It's going to be a big rush," said board member Alison Kamhi. "We're going to have to work very hard." (Compiled from Palo Alto Online, October 15.)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Palo Alto High School 校园实景。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons 文件 Palo Alto High School.jpg，David Sawyer 摄，CC BY-SA 2.0 授权
