2025 Community Survey

 

What is this process all about?

At San Carlos School District (SCSD), we’re more than just educators—we're a community dedicated to fostering growth, learning, and success for every child. We work hard to maintain the high-quality education provided at our TK-8 schools, serving nearly 3,000 students every day. Exceptional teachers, small neighborhood schools, challenging instructional programs, dedicated parent volunteers, and outstanding science, technology, engineering, art, and math curricula have prepared generations of local children to succeed in high school, college, and careers. Our goal is to continue that proud tradition. However, due to years of inadequate state funding and the expiration of our existing community supported parcel tax, the District is assessing our instruction and academic programs to determine whether to ask voters to renew or increase our existing parcel tax.

 

What happens if Measure N is not renewed?

Without extending Measure N, some existing local school funding, about $3 million dollars, will disappear from the SCSD budget. Our local TK-8 schools will have to make drastic cuts to academic programs, increase class sizes, and maintain only basics. SCSD depends on local revenue to supplement limited State funding. Renewing Measure N won’t address all funding needs, but it will help retain exceptional teachers and protect core programs.

 

How will this effort improve instruction and retain high-quality teachers?

The increasing cost of living has meant that existing funding for teacher pay doesn’t go as far as it once did. Stable local funding is needed to support additional teacher positions due to increasing enrollment. Without this funding, we will have to make cuts to academics and/or increase class sizes in our local schools. A parcel tax will allow us to bridge the gap of our low state funding and maintain the high-quality of education at all San Carlos SD schools.

 

How do I know the money will be spent properly?

Any potential parcel tax approved by voters will REQUIRE taxpayer protections. All funds raised would stay local to support San Carlos SD instructional programs/ teachers and cannot be taken by the State or spent on administrators’ salaries. An independent citizen oversight committee and annual audits are required to ensure the SCSD uses the funds as promised.

 

I’m a senior citizen; do I have to pay the tax?

Senior citizen resident homeowners 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption through a simple application process. Those with an existing exemption do not need to re-apply. We do not want this measure to become a burden to those living on a fixed income. To find out more about how to apply, please contact Lisa Ceragioli by phone: (650) 590-5927 or email: [email protected]

 

How much will the parcel tax measure cost?

NO decisions have been made yet. San Carlos School District leaders are seeking YOUR INPUT first, before critical decisions are made. State funding alone is unable to provide SCSD with sufficient funds to maintain the district’s high-quality education. Pending voter approval, the cost to local property owners could be $27.88 a month or $334.60 a year for the renewal, with a possible $88.00 increase due to the need for additional funds to provide for exceptional teachers, small class sizes, and challenging instructional programs at our local schools.

 

What are SCSD’s most critical program support NEEDS?

• Retaining and attracting highly qualified teachers.
• Providing hands-on science, math, technology, art, and engineering programs.
• Protecting high-quality educational programs, including reading and writing.
• Supporting students with disabilities and learning differences.
• Maintaining small class sizes, and low student-to-teacher ratios.
• Continuing funding for counselors and mental health support.
• Preventing overcrowding due to increasing enrollment.

 

Where can I find more information?

To learn more or to share your input, visit this website or contact Dr. Jennifer Frentress, SCSD Superintendent, via email: [email protected] or by phone: (650) 590-5926.