Measure E

Impartial analysis by County Counsel of Measure E

Ross Valley School District
Special Parcel Tax Measure

Measure E

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the Ross Valley School District.

The existing Ross Valley School District parcel tax is set to expire on June 30, 2028. If this Measure is approved by two-thirds of the votes cast on this special tax proposal, the existing Ross Valley School District parcel tax based upon a set amount of money per parcel will be replaced. Instead, an annual levy upon improved parcels shall be $0.52 per building square foot and $95 per unimproved parcel. The replacement tax will begin on July 1, 2025, and expire on June 30, 2034. Beginning on July 1, 2026, the rate of the special tax shall be increased by three percent (3%) each year.

Should this measure not be approved by two-thirds of the votes cast on this special tax proposal, the existing Ross Valley School District parcel tax will continue, as scheduled, through June 30, 2028, unless altered in future elections.

An exemption from this special tax may be granted on any parcel owned by a person who uses the parcel as a principal place of residence and: (1) is 65 years of age or older; (2) receives Supplemental Security Income for a disability regardless of age; or (3) receives Social Security Disability Insurance benefits regardless of age and meets specific income guidelines from the federal government.

The stated purposes for the funds raised by this special tax are to attract and retain highly qualified teachers; maintain school libraries; maintain math, science, reading and writing programs; and maintain educationally sound class sizes for kindergarten through eighth grade.

Pursuant to the California Constitution Article XIII B and applicable laws, the appropriations limit for the District will be adjusted periodically by the aggregate sum collected by levy of this qualified special tax.

s/BRIAN E. WASHINGTON
County Counsel

Argument in favor of Measure E

Vote YES on E — renew critical local funding that protects high-quality education and great teachers in our local Ross Valley schools!

We are fortunate to have great teachers and challenging academic programs in our four elementary schools and middle school serving San Anselmo and Fairfax.

Having great teachers in the classroom is the most important element of a high-quality education, and good schools protect home values.

However, as the cost of living continues to rise, many excellent teachers cannot afford to teach here. Ross Valley School District’s teacher salaries are among the lowest in Marin, and our schools receive the lowest per student funding in the county. Some teachers commute long distances or work multiple jobs to support their families.

Measure E renews locally controlled funding so Ross Valley School District can retain and recruit highly qualified teachers. It’s an equitable solution to make sure our schools don’t fall behind, ensuring that large commercial properties pay their fair share for local education.

Without Measure E, we risk losing our best teachers to nearby school districts that offer higher compensation.

Vote Yes on E: Protect Quality Education in San Anselmo and Fairfax

• Attract and retain qualified local teachers
• Maintain small class sizes
• Protect core academic programs in science, technology, engineering, math, reading and writing
• Preserve school libraries and services

Every Penny is Locally Controlled

• All funds are controlled locally and cannot be taken by the State
• Independent oversight and mandatory annual audits ensure funds are spent as promised
• Senior citizens remain eligible for an exemption and don’t need to reapply
• Measure E cannot fund administrators’ salaries or pensions

Great teachers protect core academics, strengthen local schools, and keep our community a wonderful place to live, with strong property values.

Join us in voting YES on E — provide an excellent education for every student.

STEPHEN BURDO
Vice Mayor, Town of San Anselmo

STEPHANIE SHARP
Local Small Business Owner

PETER SANTUCCI
Ross Valley Teacher/15-Year Fairfax Resident

ANNA BARKER
Former RVSD Parent

ERIC GELMAN
Realtor

Rebuttal to argument in favor of Measure E

Grossly misleading ballot language. Ross Valley School District’s ballot and taxpayer-funded mailer describe Measure E as simply “renewing” an existing parcel tax. They DON’T DISCLOSE that Measure E will substantially INCREASE tax revenue and change the levy’s methodology. Some voters may think a Yes vote keeps their parcel tax unchanged. UNACCEPTABLE!

Sneaky numbers. Measure E raises Ross Valley School District’s parcel tax revenue 67%(!) from $4,500,000 to $7,500,000 annually. A gigantic tax spike for apartment buildings, duplexes, triplexes, and commercial properties will be passed on to tenants, while taxes on midsize homes jump “only” 30%.

Administrators will be the biggest winners if Measure E passes. Measure E’s proponents say the aim is to quickly raise teacher salaries up to 14%. With all school employee salaries typically rising in parallel, senior administrators could earn $255,000- 285,000.

Wrong Time to Join the Salary Arms Race. Falling school enrollment is causing school budget shortfalls and layoffs across the Bay Area including Marin.

Higher taxes erode property values. Ross Valley School District home values already fell 9-12% since 2022 because buyers can’t afford surging taxes, insurance and mortgages. A tax increase could lower your property value.

Don’t believe claims of financial urgency. Ross Valley School District’s latest multiyear budget lowballs their forecasted reserve levels ... then alerts readers that “it is expected that the reserve will be higher than noted in the current and subsequent years”.

Don’t let them pick their voters. Ross Valley School District HAS the financial ability to wait for the next regular election to get broader support for a better plan.

Reject Special Election Measure E.

LUCY DILWORTH
Foreperson, Marin Civil Grand Jury 2019-2020

JOBY TAPIA
President, Marin Rental Property Association

NORMA CANDACE NEAL-RICKER
Lifelong Ross Valley Resident, Locally Educated

JOSEPH A. MACKIE
RVSD Parent and Community Volunteer

MICHAEL SEXTON
24-year Fairfax Duplex Owner & Resident

Argument against Measure E

Sneaky Tax. The high-turnout November 2024 election was crowded with other tax measures. So Ross Valley School District decided to skip it and increase its parcel tax 67% on a May ballot when most taxpayers aren’t paying attention. Vote NO.

Manipulative, expensive special elections cherry-pick voters. In November’s statewide election 3 times as many Ross Valley School District residents voted as compared with the last off-year election. Ross Valley School District’s consultant advised how a low turnout election -- costing more -- makes it easier to pick their voters and pass a tax.

Property owners’ pain accelerating. In 2010, 2012, and 2018 Ross Valley School District put tax measures on your ballot. Now they want 67% MORE parcel tax dollars for 2025/6. Skyrocketing fire insurance and utilities bills, plus a new Tamalpais Union High School District tax, add to next year’s agony.

Times are too uncertain to join an “arms-race” for teachers. We’re entering a period of exceptional uncertainty under an unpredictable Federal administration. It’s premature to commit to an additional tax. Teachers are an invaluable resource, but Bay Area school enrollment is plummeting. Competing districts are cutting staff after jumping salaries with pandemic funds that have now expired.

Ross Valley School District must live within its means. Administrators’ salary increases typically mirror teacher salaries’ percentage increase. Ross Valley School District should limit compensation for its 10-12 administrators earning $150,000-plus. Other options include closing the district office building, sharing administrators, and/or wooing charter school students and their funding back into Ross Valley School District.

A tax you don’t pay can hurt you. Renters, businesses, and seniors beware! Measure E’s per square foot assessment hits large property owners hard; they’ll increase rents on apartments and businesses. Seniors are hurt by outmigration of friends and family who can’t afford more.

Ross Valley School District should return in June 2026 after a more inclusive public process to build support for a better, balanced plan. Vote NO on Measure E.

COALITION OF SENSIBLE TAXPAYERS
President, Mimi Willard, CFA

PASCAL SISICH
Former Planning Commissioner and Tax Oversight Committee Member

DEBORAH BENSON
Accountant and RVSD Parent Alumna

BENEDETTO CICO
San Anselmo Resident and Business Owner

MICHAEL MACKINTOSH
Fairfax Business Owner

Rebuttal to argument against Measure E

The few Measure E opponents file similar arguments against nearly every school funding ballot measure. They offer no credible arguments against these basic realities:

• Ross Valley School District receives the lowest per student funding in Marin County
• Ross Valley School District teachers are among the lowest paid
• RVSD teachers are leaving for nearby districts offering higher compensation
• Essential, locally controlled funding is set to expire, and cuts will be required this fall
• This is not an additional tax; it replaces an existing tax
• We cannot rely on the Federal or State governments to adequately fund our schools

Measure E is on the ballot now because our schools need local funding now.

Waiting until 2026 delays funding and deep cuts will be needed to avert a State budget takeover and loss of local control. This mail-in ballot format is common, legal and has been used by many neighboring school districts in recent elections. Measure E is the result of thoughtful and transparent planning.

WITHOUT Measure E:

• Funding for teacher salaries will stagnate
• RVSD cannot afford salary increases; terrific teachers will leave
• Programs that support core academics will be cut, class sizes will increase, and student achievement will suffer

Good schools protect strong property values.

Measure E’s strict fiscal accountability requires that funds are ONLY used for teaching and academic instruction.

Homeowners age 65+ are exempt from the cost and do not need to reapply.

With the uncertainty in government, we must preserve local control and funding for our schools. VOTE YES to keep excellent teachers in Ross Valley School District.

PHILLIP (PJ) FEFFER
RVSD Budget Advisory Committee Member/ Manor Parent

BLAINE MORRIS
Realtor

ERIN MIWA
San Anselmo Business Owner

CHARLES CORNWELL
Former Fairfax Open Space Committee Member/ 25+ Year Fairfax Resident

DIANA SOTTILE
Hidden Valley Teacher