How are our schools doing?

Our schools provide an excellent education for our local students. Thanks to rigorous and innovative academic programs, highly committed and qualified teachers and support from our parents and community, our students have been the highest achieving in Marin County for several years in a row. Each of our schools has been recognized with awards on both the state and national levels for excellence in academic programs.

 

Why do we need Measure B?

Since 2008, the State has cut over $2.3 million in funding from our schools. We are grateful to have sustained the excellent quality of education in our schools through this challenging period. While the state budget appears to be improving, our schools have lost millions in recent years that won’t be restored. Meanwhile, the District’s student enrollment has increased dramatically—with an increase of 35% in the last 5 years alone, almost the size of an entire school. Due to state funding formulas, this increase has not resulted in any additional funding for our schools.

 

Specifically, how does local parcel tax funding support excellent education in our schools?

Local education funding can only be used to support a specific set of voter-approved purposes that are essential to the maintaining the excellent education in our schools. Specifically, Measure B will:

 

• Maintain excellent and innovative core academic programs and enhanced science, technology,
  engineering and math programs

• Retain highly qualified and experienced teachers

• Minimize class size increases

• Maintain modern instructional technology

• Support arts and music, and library programs

 

What protections ensure fiscal accountability?

By law, all funds will stay in our schools and cannot be taken or redirected by Sacramento. No funds can be used for administrator salaries, and annual reports to the public ensure that all expenditures are made according to the voter-approved priorities. Seniors will continue to be eligible for an exemption from the cost.

 

How long have our schools relied on voter-approved funding?

Since 1990, our community has supported our elementary and middle schools with stable, voter-approved education funding. These funds have been critical to preventing cuts to programs and minimizing class size increases through years of State budget reductions and dramatically increasing enrollment. Since first being approved, voters have renewed their support of our schools with over two-thirds approval three times, in 1994, 2003 and most recently in 2007.

 

Will all funds from Measure B stay under local control?

Yes. All funds will remain under local control and nothing could be taken or redirected by the State. All funds stay in our local schools under the control of the Reed Union School District.

 

What about support from the Foundation for Reed Schools?

The Foundation for Reed Schools provides significant support for our schools, donating $1.9 million to the District in the 2013-2014 school year. That means that we are doing a great job in raising private funds to support our schools, and are not solely relying on taxpayers to support the great education in our local schools. While we are extremely grateful for the support of the foundation, Measure B provides a stable source of annual funding that the District can rely on every year.

 

What is our current parcel tax rate and how does it compare to similar districts?

Our current parcel tax rate is $370 per year. Many California school districts and most in Marin County rely on voter-approved local funding to protect quality education, including Ross SD, Kentfield SD, Mill Valley SD,
Ross Valley SD, and Larkspur-Corte Madera SD. For comparison, here are some parcel tax rates of neighboring school districts:

 

• Ross School District - $727

• Kentfield School District - $940

• Mill Valley School District - $731Ross Valley School District - $458

• Larkspur-Corte Madera School District - $407

 

With the proposed increase of $138, Measure B would still leave our parcel tax rate at the low end of this spectrum with a rate of $508 per year.

 

What is the 3% COLA?

Measure B includes a 3% cost of living adjustment to keep pace with inflation and the real cost of providing an education. This authorizes the District to increase the total amount of the cost by up to 3% each year, which is the generally accepted rate for the annual increase in cost of funding an education per pupil.

 

I thought we already passed Prop 30 to save our schools?

Prop 30 has helped schools that are funded by the State by restoring some of the previous cuts to education. As a Community Funded District, RUSD receives very little money from the State, and Prop 30 provides our schools with only $200 per student in annual funding. In comparison, Measure B will provide nearly $2 million for our schools each year in money that is not controlled by the State.

 

How much will money will Measure B provide for our schools?

Currently, our parcel tax provides our schools $1.4 million in stable funding annually. Measure B would renew this funding, and provide our schools an additional $500,000 per year, for a total of $1.9 million.

 

When does the existing funding expire and when would the new measure take effect?

Measure A is set to expire in June 2016 unless this new measure is passed. If successful, the new measure would take effect on July 1, 2014, replacing the current measure.

 

I don’t have children in school. How will Measure B help me?

Whether or not you have children in school, protecting the quality of our local schools helps protect the investment that we have all made in our homes in this community. Our high-quality local schools help make our community a great place to live, and help to keep home values strong.

 

How can I apply for the senior exemption?

All homeowners 65 or older would continue to be eligible to receive an exemption. To apply for the exemption, visit reedschools.org and click the “Senior Exemption Info.” link under Quick Links on the left side of the homepage. Anyone who is currently exempt would not need to reapply.

 

How is the campaign being funded?

The campaign for Measure B is 100% privately funded—the District is strictly prohibited from funding the campaign. The Foundation for Reed Schools has stepped up to provide a significant portion of the campaign fundraising goal, in order to make sure that the campaign has the resources we need to effectively communicate our message to voters. It is critical that the campaign is able to connect with local voters, as this measure requires over two-thirds voter approval to pass, and one ‘no’ vote cancels out two ‘yes’ votes.

 

What if I rent my home?

Local school funding is assessed on property tax bills and will not directly impact renters.

 

How can I vote on Measure B?

This important election for local schools will be conducted entirely by mail. There will be no polling places. All registered voters will be mailed a ballot the week of April 4, 2014 and all completed ballots must be received by May 6, 2014 to be counted. Postmarks don’t count, so it’s important to mail your ballot back right away.

 

What level of support is required for this Measure B to pass?

Measure B requires 66.7% approval by those who vote in this election to pass, or over two thirds support. That means that every ‘no’ vote cancels ‘two’ yes votes. That is why it is so critical for us to run a great campaign and make sure that voters know how important this measure is for our schools and our community.

 

How do I register to vote?

You may register online by visiting registertovote.ca.gov or you may visit the Marin County Registrar of Voters online at marinvotes.org. To vote on the measure, be sure to register to vote no later than April 21, 2014.