Novato schools need voters' support now

In 2020, Novato Unified School District voters rejected a proposed increase in the district's long-standing parcel tax, sending district leaders back to the drawing board.

They have returned with Measure A on the March ballot — a no-increase renewal of the existing tax, keeping Novato's tax by far one of the lowest among Marin school districts. It deserves your support.

The rejected 2020 measure called for a $125 increase to the $251-per-year tax, plus a 3% automatic yearly increase. That proposal fell far short of the two-thirds voter approval needed for passage.

In several Marin districts the parcel tax exceeds $1,000 per year and includes an automatic annual so-called “cost of living” bump. In parts of the county where there are separate elementary and high school districts, those taxpayers are on the hook for even more, paying two parcel taxes.

Now the Novato district faces the expiration of the original $251 tax — approved in 2009 by 68.7% of district voters — and it is seeking its renewal, not only without an increase, but also without the automatic inflator.

Its approval on the March special ballot will maintain the $4 million per year that the eight-year tax generates. Importantly, it's also local money. Decisions on how to spend it are made closer to home, not by the political variables of the state's budget and Sacramento's politicians.

District leaders say the money will be spent on “core academic instruction” in math, science, reading and writing, preservation of the district's music, art, library and athletic programs, for retaining and recruiting “qualified and experienced” teachers and expanding mental health services available to students.

Measure A also promises the formation of an independent oversight committee to help make sure that pledge is kept.

Measure A also maintains the tax's senior exemption, one that's being taken by around 20% of the district's property owners. The number of exemptions has reduced the sum the parcel tax raises, but keeping it on the books is important in winning the backing of senior voters.

Polling of district voters leading up to the writing of Measure A showed that extending the automatic annual increase hurt the proposal's chances of getting the two-thirds majority vote needed for passage.

Measure A also follows a deep round of budget cuts made in the wake of the defeat of the 2020 measure. The district cut $4 million from its budget, including laying off teachers and other district staff.

Deeper cuts, including more layoffs, will be needed if Measure A fails, according to district leaders.

In the meantime, the need for the funding is growing. Enrollment in district classrooms has rebounded to around 7,500 students.

Since 1992, Novato voters have passed parcel taxes needed to support their community's public schools. That support is a sign of the importance that Novato taxpayers place in the education and school programs available to the community's youth.

Measure A is not a tax increase. It also doesn't include a built-in increase. It maintains the current tax, one that voters supported in 2009 and that is important to support today.

The Marin IJ editorial board strongly supports passage of Measure A for Novato's public schools and their students.