Tamalpais Union High School District Parcel Tax Renewal Campaign
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the Tamalpais Union High School District Parcel Tax Renewal Measure
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the Tamalpais Union High School District Parcel Tax Renewal Measure
What is the purpose of the parcel tax?
The current parcel tax provides funds to the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) to maintain the quality of education by providing exceptional academic programs to the District’s 3800 students. The current parcel tax expires in June 2012. On November 8, 2011, voters will be asked to renew this financial support. This is not a new tax, but rather a continuation of the current parcel tax and the existing minimal annual adjustment.
Has the community approved TUHSD parcel taxes before? How much is the proposed parcel tax continuation? How long is the term of the tax? Will there be an annual adjustment?
Our community has overwhelmingly approved and renewed TUHSD parcel taxes in 1989, 1997, and 2004. The TUHSD Board has passed a resolution placing a parcel tax renewal measure on the November 2011 ballot. This measure will renew the existing parcel tax commencing July 1, 2012 at the current rate of $238.76 per parcel or approximately $20 per month, with a 3% annual adjustment for a term of 10 years. The annual adjustment is needed to cover the inflationary costs of all expenditures and programs supported by the parcel tax. Currently the TUHSD parcel tax is the lowest in southern and central Marin.
Will senior citizens be exempt from paying this tax? What about renters, condominium owners, business owners?
An exemption is available to any individual in the TUHSD who has attained the age of 65 prior to May 1st of the assessment year and uses the parcel as his or her principal residence. To obtain a parcel tax exemption application and find out more information on the process, please contact Kaley Cloney in the Tam District office at 945-1037. In the case of rental homes, the parcel tax is levied on the owner of the parcel, not the renter. Condominiums are listed on the Assessor’s roll as separate parcels for each unit. Therefore, condo owners pay the parcel tax like all other parcel owners. Business owners don’t pay the parcel tax directly. The owner of the building in which the business resides pays the parcel tax.
What is the difference between a bond and a parcel tax?
Revenue from a parcel tax is used to support the instructional program for students. Parcel taxes are assessed at a fixed amount per parcel, regardless of the value of the parcel. Seniors are eligible for exemption.
Revenue from a bond measure may be used to support modernization of school facilities, infrastructure repairs, seismic upgrades, classroom construction, and other capital improvements. Proceeds from a bond may not be used for operational or instructional purposes. The amount paid by the individual taxpayers is determined by the value of the homeowner’s property. There is no senior citizen exemptions permitted by law for school bonds. Both facilities bonds and parcel taxes are property taxes and may be deductible on state and federal income taxes.
What programs are supported by the parcel tax?
The funds generated by the parcel tax are used to support all aspects of the District’s exceptional educational program for its students. These include science and technology, Advanced Placement and Honors courses, a seven period day for students, alternative education programs, student counseling services, fine arts programs, up-to-date instructional materials and equipment, and the recruitment and retention of highly qualified and experienced teachers and staff.
Who is served by the parcel tax?
The parcel tax supports the District’s three comprehensive high schools (Tam, Redwood, and Drake), a continuation high school (San Andreas) and an independent study high school (Tamiscal). These five schools serve students from ten K-8 elementary feeder districts that represent seventeen communities in southern and central Marin including Belvedere, Bolinas, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Marin City, Mill Valley, Muir Beach, Nicasio, San Anselmo, San Geronimo Valley, Sausalito, Stinson Beach, and Tiburon.
Achievement for students in all Tam District schools is a direct reflection of the quality academic programs offered, a highly trained teaching and professional staff, the degree of involvement and assistance provided by parents, and the level of commitment and financial support from the entire high school district community. In turn, the community benefits through high property values linked to the reputation of our schools.
How much revenue does the parcel tax provide the TUHSD? What revenues does the District receive from the state and other sources?
For the 2010-2011 school year, the parcel tax has generated $8,564,000, which is about 15% of Tam District’s $58,000,000 budget. The District receives funding from several sources:
72% from revenue limit – local property taxes
15% from voter approved parcel tax
5% from other local funds
4% from federal categorical funds
3% from state categorical fund
1% from state lottery funds
An active parent community also supports school and athletic programs. Parents contribute countless volunteer hours and provide financial support through contributions to the school foundations and parent clubs.
How do the District’s graduation requirements compare to those of the State of
California and how does TUHSD perform on accountability measures?
The District’s graduation requirements exceed those of the State of California in science, math, English, social studies, fine arts, and computer literacy. Over 95% of our 10th graders pass the California High School Exit Exam graduation standards on their first attempt. The high school graduation rate for TUHSD students is 98% compared to a state average of 70%. TUHSD graduates enroll in over 80 different universities ranging from the UC’s to the Ivy League, as well as specialized art and drama schools.
Redwood, Tam, and Tamiscal have all received the highest score of “10” on the API, the state’s accountability measure and all of them including Drake have been designated “California Distinguished Schools”, with Redwood receiving national recognition as a “Blue Ribbon School.” Tamiscal High School is the only school in California to have won both “Distinguished School” and the State Independent Achievement School Award. San Andreas improved 70 points last year on their API and has been named a “Model Continuation High School.”
If you have additional questions, please contact Laurie Kimbrel, District Superintendent at 945-3720 or lkimbrel@tamdistrict.org
