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Quick Summary / AbstractThe Board will receive a notification from a Trustee of remote participation pursuant to the "Just Cause" provisions of AB 2449.
RationaleThe Trustee will announce the basis for their remote participation and disclose whether any individuals over the age of 18 are present in the remote location. No board action is required for "Just Cause" notifications.
Jessica (2min) — Expressed support for the proposed parcel tax, noting that RCSD is underfunded compared to surrounding districts and praising the district's responsiveness to community input in drafting the measure.
Elle Kolekar (0min) — Echoed support for placing the parcel tax on the June ballot, stating it would greatly benefit Redwood City schools and the families the district serves.
Item details
Quick Summary / AbstractTo maintain quality education for local students and following community input, the District is considering placing a parcel tax measure based on the square footage of building area, with a cap on the total amount, on the ballot in June 2026. The attached resolution outlines the terms and requirements of the parcel tax.
RecommendationIt is the Administration's recommendation that the School Board adopt the resolution ordering a parcel tax measure be placed on the ballot for the June 2, 2026, election and authorizing necessary actions in connection therewith.
RationaleStudent success is our District’s priority, and most of the budget goes directly to academic programs and classroom instruction to deliver quality education to all of our students. However, the District is one of the lowest funded elementary school districts in San Mateo County. The District believes it is essential to give local children access to the same quality of education as neighboring districts, which requires the funding needed to provide a well-rounded education in core academics, including science, music and art, with strong classroom instruction from qualified teachers. To protect the District’s educational programs and to retain qualified teachers, the District’s voters have previously approved local funding in the form of parcel taxes. However, the current funding is insufficient to keep pace with the rising costs of providing quality education. To maintain quality education for local students and following community input, the District is considering placing a parcel tax measure based on the square footage of building area, with a cap on the total amount, on the ballot in June 2026. The attached resolution outlines the terms and requirements of the parcel tax. It establishes the rate (17.5¢ per building square foot with a cap on the total amount, or $25/unimproved parcel), term (8 years), and provides that senior citizens and those receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits could be exempt from the tax. The resolution also provides a formula for allocation of the estimated annual proceeds of $12,200,000 equally between District-directed expenditures and school site-directed expenditures. Each school site would annually be allocated funds based on enrollment of students and enrollment of unduplicated pupils. The resolution requires that the funds be used for the purposes outlined in the measure. It also requires that the proceeds be kept in an account separate from other funds and be subject to annual audit. It calls for establishment of an oversight committee to oversee the proceeds collected and to ensure that moneys raised are spent only for the purposes described in this resolution.
Financial ImpactThe proposed measure is estimated to generate approximately $12,200,000 in annual, locally controlled funding.