Lagunitas School District voters to decide on parcel tax renewal

Voters in the Lagunitas School District will decide this month whether to renew its longstanding parcel tax.

Measure A, a straight renewal with a lower cost-of-living increase than the current tax, is on a special election ballot for Jan. 27. The current parcel tax, approved in 2017, expires June 30.

“Basically the parcel tax is not a new one,” Kathleen Graham, the district superintendent, said in an email. “It’s a renewal of one that’s been approved by 2/3rds of the voters many times over 30 years.”

Measure A would levy $850 per year, with a 4% annual cost-of-living adjustment, for nine years. It would take effect July 1.

While the proposed tax rate is unchanged, the annual increase would be reduced from 6.5%. Measure A offers exemptions for residents over 65 years old.

Graham said the tax generates about $1 million annually, or about 20% of the district’s approximately $5 million budget. It helps pay for teacher and instructional aide salaries, libraries, the garden project and student school supplies.

The district operates the Lagunitas Community School, which serves 166 students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grades at two adjacent campuses in San Geronimo.

“This parcel tax is really essential to the Lagunitas Community School,” Graham said. “Without it, we would have to reduce teachers, classroom assistants and many programs.”

According to the Marin County elections office, the school district has 2,867 registered voters. The district covers San Geronimo, Lagunitas, Forest Knolls and Woodacre.

According to Katie Bowser, a parent who supports the measure, the district has “lower base funding through regular property taxes than many other Marin districts.”

“The parcel tax enables Lagunitas to come closer to providing similar levels of support,” Bowser said.

A ballot argument in favor of Measure A was submitted by a group called the Committee for Quality Valley Community Schools as well as school and county officials. No opposing arguments were submitted.

“We advocate for well-supported schools in the Lagunitas School District and work to engage our community in sustaining quality education, supporting teachers, and preserving the unique programs that make our schools vibrant and inclusive places to learn,” the committee said in a statement.

The committee said that although Lagunitas is not the lowest paying district in Marin, it trails the Ross, Tamalpais Union, Reed Union, Mill Valley, Bolinas-Stinson Union, Shoreline Unified and Kentfield districts.

Ballots may be deposited at drop boxes at the Marin County Civic Center north archway in San Rafael and at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center. Ballots will be accepted by mail if postmarked by Election Day.

Residents also can vote in person at the community center on Election Day. The vote center will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.