School districts show real need for yes votes

Marin residents know the value of a good public education. These days, that's coming with a higher price tag.

The June 7 election includes tax proposals from four school districts: Measures B and C in the San Rafael elementary, middle and high schools, Measure E for Larkspur and Corte Madera elementary and middle schools, and Measure G for Mill Valley's elementary and middle schools.

Each, if approved, would greenlight millions of dollars yearly for upgrading facilities, additional technology and equity issues.

The IJ editorial board met with leaders backing each measure. It also met with representatives of the Marin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers. In every proposal, the need is clear. While the tax burden is high, leadership from each district capably answered our call to establish sustainable budget planning and maintain (or improve) benefits directly impacting student performance.

With those promises in place, the Marin IJ editorial board endorses yes votes on measures B, C, E and G in the June 7 election.

• San Rafael: Measure B is a $216 million capital bond measure for high schools, levying a property tax of $30 per $100,000 of assessed property-tax value. Measure C is a bond measure for elementary schools and Davidson Middle School.

With the same levy, it should raise $152 million. Miller Creek School District residents are not included in Measure C. Bond measures require a 55% majority to pass.

Just seven years ago, San Rafael passed similar measures. That work is nearly finished. It included needed facility upgrades to aged high school buildings, as well as a complete transformation of Venetia Valley School.

The new measures would continue needed work, including a major makeover and modernization of Davidson Middle School, a campus that hosts one of the county's most diverse and underserved student populations.

The plan also calls for a significant investment for transitional kindergarten classes, which will bolster enrollment and achieve better equity for its youngest students. Officials expect TK classes to jump from three to 10 in the coming year, eventually reaching 400 to 500 students.

Wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic have made improved ventilation systems a priority — these bonds help pay for that.

• Larkspur-Corte Madera: The district is asking for what amounts to a renewal of its escalating parcel tax over a 10year period.

Measure E's renewal preserves the status quo for a high-achieving district that recently went through the painful process of cutting 10% of its yearly budget. Even with passing this tax, officials say difficult decisions loom. Paying for pensions won't be one of them as the district is using pandemic funding to cover part of that cost.

The 5% yearly escalator on top of the current parcel tax price, now at $910 per parcel, prompted COST officials to oppose the measure. After 10 years, the expense will be $1,412. We agree, that's a lot of money.

Senior citizens and low-income residents can apply for exemptions.

This is a district struggling to stay afloat and continue offering a standard of excellence. Voters should give the district the financial support it needs.

• Mill Valley: The bond promises $194 million primarily to rebuild Mill Valley Middle School. The “open” floor plan of the campus' main building was created at a time when bringing multiple classes together was considered beneficial. That space has since been cut into odd shapes to create individual classrooms.

Measure G, if approved by 55% of voters, would levy a tax of $26 per $100,000 of assessed property-tax value.

It would help pay for TK facilities to provide more classes, increase enrollment and provide better equity.

The district has a track record of fiscal responsibility. A long-standing fund covers pension liabilities.

It also fulfilled a promise to sunset a short-term supplemental parcel tax last year following an unexpected enrollment boom.