Mill Valley School District prepares property tax pitch

Voters in the Mill Valley School District could face a parcel tax measure in June.

The proposal would ask residents to renew the district’s current parcel tax and reauthorize a second tax that expired during the pandemic. District trustees reviewed a proposed resolution at their meeting on Thursday.

“Local parcel tax funding is set to expire soon,” the resolution says. “Without this local funding, the district would need to make cuts to teachers, academic programs and student services impacting the level of education the district is able to provide.”

Trustees will conduct a public hearing on the proposal on Feb. 12 and vote on whether to place it on the June 2 ballot. The deadline for ballot placement is March 6. The measure would need a two-thirds majority to pass.

The district’s current parcel tax, approved as Measure E, charges $1,520 annually and includes a 5% annual increase. The district also had a supplemental tax that expired in 2021 at the level of $234 per parcel annually.

The combined new measure would set the parcel tax rate at $1,754 per parcel, effective July 1, for a term of eight years, with a 5% annual increase.

The tax, which would generate about $14.9 million annually, would represent a quarter of the district’s budget of $58 million. The current Measure E parcel tax, which expires in June 2029, generates about $12.7 million annually, according to the district.

Parcel taxes pay for staff salaries and “to protect quality academic programs in reading and writing, science, technology, engineering and math,” the proposal states.

Elizabeth Kaufman, the district superintendent, emphasized the need for retaining staff and maintaining academic programs.

“We’re asking voters to renew these parcel taxes now because they are foundational to the district’s long-term financial stability — supporting excellent educators, core student programs and responsible planning,” Kaufman said.

Passing the new measure would help “ensure we can keep up with ongoing campus and facility needs without disruptive cuts,” Kaufman said.

Natalie Katz, president of the district board, said it wants to renew and replace Measure E now to avoid a time crunch later on.

“Because parcel taxes can only go before voters in even-numbered years, and this tax expires in 2029, it’s most prudent to act now rather than wait until 2028,” Katz said.

The measure would offer exemptions for property owners older than 65. It also would offer exemptions to residents on Social Security disability and low-income residents of any age who are on disability.

The Mill Valley School District has relied on its parcel tax to support its academic programs since 1987.

The district serves about 2,400 students at five elementary schools and a middle school. Its constituents live in incorporated Mill Valley and the unincorporated areas of Strawberry, Tamalpais Valley, Alto, Almonte, Homestead Valley and Muir Beach.