School board considers putting parcel tax on the ballot again
Reported byPalo Alto Daily Post
Read the full story at Palo Alto Daily PostAI-assisted summary
The Palo Alto school board is weighing when to ask voters to renew a parcel tax that fell short in the June 2 election. At a Tuesday meeting, Superintendent Jason Glass laid out two options: a special election on March 2 or one on May 7. The district currently faces $33 million in budget cuts for the next school year.
An earlier March vote would give the board and employees more certainty about possible layoffs before the March 15 deadline for teacher layoff notices. Board member Alison Kamhi said she worries about how notices would affect morale. A May vote would give the district more time to poll residents, rebuild trust and shape the ballot question. Glass said he has been working on trust since being hired over the summer. Board member Shana Segal said she would keep the tax at $941 per year instead of the $800 amount that failed.
The existing tax brings in $17 million annually and expires next year. The June measure got 62.4% support but needed two-thirds. Former board members Todd Collins and Ken Dauber ran an opposition campaign, arguing the district overstated its needs. The district's budget pressure stems partly from new union contracts with a 10.4% raise and $10,000 bonuses. The board agreed to hold a special meeting with consultant Charles Heath to discuss the election date.
Why it matters
The parcel tax provides $17 million a year, and its timing could affect whether teachers receive layoff notices. Taxpayers and families will be asked to weigh the district's finances against a measure that recently failed.
- Budget cuts
- Layoffs
- Property taxes
- Union contracts
- School levy
- Election results
Written with AI from the publisher's article and may contain errors. The original reporting is the authoritative source.
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- How should a district weigh budget certainty for employees against time to rebuild public trust before asking voters for money?
- What information would help voters judge whether a district's stated financial needs are accurate?
- How might the timing of layoff notices affect staff morale and school stability?
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