School Parcel Tax

Since the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the community has conducted a series of successful annual fundraising campaigns to save school programs threatened by cutbacks in state funds. From 1981 to 1985, the “Funds for Piedmont’s Future” campaigns raised over $1.5 million dollars. Recognizing that the community could not sustain annual fund-raising campaigns forever, a group of forward-thinking citizens and the Piedmont Educational Foundation decided to raise the necessary funds via a School Parcel Tax. In 1985, the first parcel tax was passed. To date, Piedmont residents have approved Parcel Taxes seven times to preserve and maintain important educational programs and services in the schools.

Parcel Taxes adopted June 2, 2009

On June 7, 2005, citizens approved a two-part Parcel Tax, which is in effect for four years beginning July 1, 2006. School Measure B on residents’ property tax statements provides funds for partial support for special academic instructional programs and services, smaller class sizes, technology, and maintenance services commensurate with an excellent educational program.

• Measure B (Maintenance of Local Funding for Piedmont Schools)

Measure B establishes a parcel tax to run for four years (2010-2011 through 2013-2014).  It is designed to combine and continue the two measures adopted in 2005 (Measure B and C) and scheduled to expire on June 30, 2010 (Piedmont typically votes on new parcel taxes one year before an existing one expires, to allow planning time should the new tax fail).  As stated in the text of Measure B, its purpose is:

“To prevent existing school funding from expiring and maintain Piedmont’s excellent quality of public education by attracting and retaining qualified teachers, maintaining small class sizes and protecting instructional programs and services, including art and music, foreign language, advanced placement, school libraries, classroom technology and student counseling…”

Measure B provides for a parcel tax that varies with parcel size and use.  The Board of education sets the levy amount each year.  Annual revenues for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 are $8,145,000, and the Board has the authority to raise annual levies by as much as 5 percent above the pervious year’s levy, in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.  As an accountability measure, Measure B provides for the creation of a Citizens Advisory Committee, appointed by the Board, to provide an annual report confirming the collection and expenditure of parcel tax funds and the status of the District programs supported by the taxes, and recommending whether the Board should levy up to the maximum allowable tax in the next fiscal year.

Measure B was approved by 78.4% of votes cast.

• Measure E (Temporary Local Funding to Offset Loss of State Funds)

Measure E establishes a parcel tax to run for three years (2009-2010 through 2011-2012).  It is designed

“To offset the loss of State funds by providing emergency temporary local funding … to avoid teacher and staff layoffs, protect programs and services including music, foreign language, library and counseling, and prevent other cutes to core academic programs and services…”

Measure E provides for a parcel tax that varies with parcel size and use (average $249 per parcel) for three fiscal years 7/1/09 through 6/30/12, up to a maximum of $997,000 per year.  The Board has authority to levy up this amount, in a year in which state funding has not returned to pre cut-back levels (the text of the ballot measure provides a technical standard for this revenue threshold “The District will not levy this tax if Piedmont Unified School District’s State Revenue Limit is projected to be funded with a zero deficit factor as listed in School Services’ “Dartboard” annually in January after the Governor’s Budget is released.”) .  As an accountability measure, Measure E also provides for the creation of a Citizens Advisory Committee, appointed by the Board, to provide an annual report confirming the collection and expenditure of parcel tax funds and recommending whether the Board should levy up to the maximum allowable tax in the next fiscal year.

Measure E was approved by 73.2% of votes cast.

Parcel Taxes adopted June 7, 2005

On June 7, 2005, citizens approved a two-part Parcel Tax, which was to be in effect for four years beginning July 1, 2006. School Measure B on residents’ property tax statements provides funds for partial support for special academic instructional programs and services, smaller class sizes, technology, and maintenance services commensurate with an excellent educational program.

• Maintain Class Size Reduction Programs in grades K-3
• Maintain below the State class size average in grades 4-12 to target current class size
• Elementary classroom instructional aides
• Reading resource and music specialists at the elementary schools
• Diverse curriculum and elective opportunities at the middle school level
• Seven class program offering at the high school including electives and advanced placement courses
• Core library and counseling services in grades K-12
• Advisors, directors and coaches for extra-curricular activities
• Support for technology including personnel, training, software, and equipment purchase and maintenance
• Maintenance of all school district facilities and grounds

School Measure C provides additional funds to maintain the quality of Piedmont’s public education and to prevent further reductions in current special academic instructional programs including advanced placement, foreign language, fine arts, library and counseling services, technology upgrades, and to continue to provide competitive compensation, professional training and curriculum improvements.

Revised 6-10-10