Marin taxpayer group opposes school measure

A Marin taxpayers advocacy group is opposing Measure E, the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District parcel tax renewal plan on the June 7 ballot.

Leaders of the Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers Marin, which missed the deadline to file opposing arguments in the county voters' guide, said they are coming forward with their opposition, based mostly on the 5% “escalator” — or annual increase — included in the tax.

“At 5%, the escalator would be the second highest in the county, with 12 out of 15 other school districts at 3% or lower,” said Mimi Willard, a leader of COST Marin. “At the end of the 10th year, it will reach $1,412, an increase of 63% from the fiscal year 2021-2022.”

The parcel tax, now at $910 per parcel, has had the 5% escalator for more than 20 years as a hedge against inflation, according to Brett Geithman, the district's superintendent. Without the annual adjustment, the district would be unable to maintain its current programs, he said.

“This is a fair reflection of the annual increase in the cost to provide educational programs, which is the purpose of the escalator,” Geithman said. “Otherwise, the district has to provide the same services with less purchasing power from year to year.”

Geithman said the district has already scaled back on staffing and programs, cutting 10% out of the budget over the last four years.

“We have had combination classrooms, and will have them next year as well,” Geithman said. Combination classrooms are where two sixth grade classes, for example, are merged into one large class with a single teacher.

“Even if Measure E passes, we will still have a difficult financial picture,” said Geithman, noting that the district is operating with a budget deficit.

The parcel tax has been renewed multiple times by district voters since 1988 — with a 5% escalator included since at least 1999, Geithman said. If approved by two-thirds of voters June 7, it would be renewed, effective July 1, for a 10-year term. It represents $4 million out of the district's approximately $22 million budget. Measure E includes options for senior citizen exemptions and a citizens review panel.

COST is recommending the district wait until it is closer to the expiration of the current parcel tax term June 30, 2024, before going out for a renewal. Citing enrollment declines and the current inflationary atmosphere, COST says it would be better to “pause and assess” for now.

“The district should come back to voters when there's better clarity on the need — tied to enrollment — and economic backdrop,” Willard said. “The current parcel tax will continue to support the

district for another two years.”

Geithman disagrees. It is better for the district's financial future to go out early, rather than “wait until the last minute,” he said.

“We wanted to go out early in the event that it is unsuccessful,” he said. “Waiting until the last minute would greatly compromise our fiscal stability.”

The district serves about 1,350 students at two elementary schools — Cove School and Neil Cummins Elementary School — and Hall Middle School.

As to declining enrollment, “this is true in all school districts and may be a temporary phenomenon following COVID or may be a longer-term trend — only time will tell,” Geithman said.

“When enrollment declines, you don't lose one grade level of students, allowing you to reduce one teacher,” Geithman added. “The reductions are inefficient, yet LCMSD has made a number of reductions along the way.”

COST also objects to the 10-year term, which is “a long time, and exceeds the forecast horizon for enrollment, revenues and expenses,” Willard said.

“This a difficult time for taxpayers to shoulder a large tax bill that increases rapidly for a decade,” Willard added. “Many residents are already struggling to absorb the recent surge in living expenses. In the face of high economic uncertainty regarding inflation, employment and recession, now is an appropriate moment to pause and assess.”

Geithman said Measure E is “really an eightyear extension of the current tax” because it starts right away, two years before the current tax term expires.

The district is calling it a 10-year term because it “is easier for voters to understand” than “something that doesn't start for another two years,” he said.

“We've kept everything the same, with a flat rate, and the same escalator,” Geithman said. “What we're really asking for is an eight-year extension.”