2026 Parcel Tax Renewal

Parcel Tax Mailer Image with Need and Proposal Info

2026 Parcel Tax: Protecting Our Tradition of Excellence -
A Future Worth Protecting

San Carlos School District (SCSD) is proud of our long-standing tradition of excellence. For decades, our exceptional teachers, small neighborhood schools, strong community partnerships, and vibrant STEAM programs have prepared generations of San Carlos children for success in high school, college, and beyond. We serve nearly 3,000 students every day.

As inadequate state funding and the expiration of our current parcel tax create new challenges, the District is evaluating whether to ask the community to renew or increase this critical local funding to sustain the programs that make SCSD exceptional.

The Need

San Carlos is a desirable place to live, and enrollment in our schools is increasing. San Carlos students have won state-level awards in music, debate, math, writing, and more. That strong performance is a major reason families choose to live here. A key driver of this success is the quality of our teachers.

But the cost of living has surged, and the community supported parcel tax established five years ago to fund teacher positions has stayed flat. As a result, it now funds 25% fewer teachers today than it originally did.

Graph with cost of funding teachers 2026

Our Proposal

You recently told us that retaining and attracting high-quality teachers is the #1 priority for the district (source: Survey). To do that, we must close the budget gap — and the best way to do this is to renew Measure N with a modest increase. But the cost of living has surged, and the community supported parcel tax established five years ago to fund teacher positions has stayed flat. As a result, it now funds 25% fewer teachers today than it originally did. Every penny from this potential measure must stay in the San Carlos School District to fund a well-rounded education for students. No funds can be taken away by the State or diverted to other school districts.

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School Board Places Parcel Tax Measure on the Ballot

At the April 2 Board Meeting, the Board approved a resolution to place a parcel tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This action follows several months of careful consideration, including discussions at the February 5 Study Session and the March 12 Regular Board Meeting, where polling data, advisory committee recommendations, and staff analyses were presented.

How the Funds Would Be Used

This parcel tax is intended to help address the structural imbalance between flattening revenues and rising operational costs. In California, parcel taxes are a form of local funding that must be approved—and renewed—by voters, typically every eight years, to continue supporting schools. SCSD’s current parcel tax, Measure N, is set to expire in 2028. The proposed measure would renew this local funding at an increased rate of $154 to help sustain essential programs.

Because California ranks among the lowest in the nation for per-pupil school funding—and SCSD is among the lowest-funded districts in both the state and San Mateo County—locally approved funding plays a critical role in maintaining the quality of education our community expects. In addition to exploring new revenue sources, the District continues to prioritize fiscal responsibility through cost-saving measures, disciplined budgeting, and long-term, multi-year financial planning to sustain the high-quality programs our students rely on.

2024-25 School Year

Budgets in San Mateo County Comparisons
Blue = Community Funded | Green = Local Control Funding Formula
Source: San Mateo County Office of Education 2024-25 Report To The Community

Key Components

The Board unanimously approved Resolution 11:25/26 calling for this election. Key components of the proposed measure include:

Protecting strong academic and student services
Supporting the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers and staff
A tax rate of $489 per parcel, generating $4.4 million for SCSD schools
An annual cost-of-living adjustment
Independent citizen oversight committee to ensure transparency and ensure funds stay local and are spent as intended
Continued exemption from the tax for property owners 65 and older

Exemptions

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.

All funds raised would stay local to support San Carlos School District instructional programs/ teachers and cannot be taken by the State or spent on administrators’ salaries. An independent parcel tax committee and annual audits are reported to the School Board to ensure use of funds as promised.

To find out more about how to apply, please contact Lisa Ceragioli in our Business Office at:
Email: [email protected]

Phone: (650) 590-5927

Where can I find more information?

As we look ahead, we remain committed to preserving the high-quality education and opportunities that define our schools. With the continued support of our community, we are confident in our ability to navigate these challenges and ensure a strong future for all students.

We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. To share your input, contact Dr. Jennifer Frentress, SCSD Superintendent by email at [email protected] or phone at (650) 590-5926.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this process all about?

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 and increase our existing parcel tax Measure N. We work hard to maintain the high-quality education provided at our TK-8 schools, serving nearly 3,000 students every day. Exceptional teachers, and challenging instructional programs have prepared generations of local children to succeed in high school, college, and careers. Securing additional stable local funding is needed to continue that proud tradition.

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.

Doesn’t SCEF give money for our teachers and programs? What does SCEF fund?

The San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) is a non-profit organization that helps the San Carlos School District provide a well-rounded public education for all students. SCEF raises essential funds from parents and community partners for electives like band and orchestra. The parcel tax and the contributions from SCEF together help to maintain small class sizes, as well as providing funding for challenging instructional programs and enrichment programs like the arts and music for our local elementary and middle schools. San Carlos School District relies on both.

How do I know the money will be spent properly? Any potential parcel tax approved by voters will REQUIRE taxpayer protections.

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 at: Email: [email protected] Phone: (650) 590-5927

How much will the parcel tax measure cost?

The SCSD Board voted to place a school parcel tax measure before voters on the November 2026 ballot to extend Measure N, with a modest increase and annual cost-of-living adjustments so that we can protect this critical local funding source and continue to maintain the high quality of education offered in San Carlos School District schools. Pending voter approval, the cost to local property owners could be $40.75 a month or $489 a year. State funding alone is unable to provide SCSD with sufficient funds to maintain the district’s high-quality education.

Will renewing Measure N address all SCSD funding needs? Renewing Measure N will provide a stable, locally controlled funding stream that the state cannot take away, which will protect our high-quality educational programs and protect our teachers. However, parcel tax measures usually raise only a limited amount of money compared to the rising costs districts face each year. To maintain the highest level of education that our students deserve, continued investment is needed. A parcel tax will help the SCSD to replace the reduced or non-existent state funding and maintain the high quality of education at all SCSD schools. Teaching and learning benefit by maintaining these programs. The renewal and modest increase of Measure N won’t address all funding needs, but it will help retain exceptional teachers and staff, and will also 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.

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, contact Dr. Jennifer Frentress, SCSD Superintendent at: Email: [email protected] Phone: (650) 590-5926

Questions & Answers as of October 20, 2025

Questions & Answers As of October 20, 2025

Is the decline in the number of teachers funded with the parcel tax (page 3 of the mailer) driven entirely by rising costs or also a decline in the funds from Measure N?

The decline in the number of teachers funded with the parcel tax is the direct result of increased staffing costs. There is a minimal impact from additional exemptions such as senior exemptions.

Regarding the mailer, what is the source for the figure showing San Carlos funding per student? I would love to understand how this is calculated. Where can I learn more?

The source for the per student funding comes from the San Mateo County Office of Education. You can learn more about school funding from the CA Department of Education Local Control Funding Formula Overview page.

Is there any possibility that we might be able to develop affordable housing for our teachers similar to the project I have seen in Mountain View?

The San Mateo County Office of Education is working with Heart of SMC, The Housing Endowment and Regional Trust, to identify properties suitable for workforce housing development. The County Office is opening this opportunity for school districts to partner with them in this project. The San Mateo Office of Education is also facilitating a consortium where districts can work together on workforce housing that meets the specific needs of the school districts. There are two districts in San Mateo County that have successful examples of workforce housing currently, Jefferson Union High School District and Jefferson Elementary School District.