Your Questions, Answered

No. Measure H is a renewal of the soon expiring parcel tax with a supplemental increase. Our community has been supporting Ross Valley schools via local parcel tax since 1993. It is a first significant increase since 2012.

With home prices over $1M, most people naturally assume our schools are well-funded. They're not — and it comes down to how California funds TK-12 education.

Prop 13 limits what local property taxes can raise. Assessed property values rise slowly, regardless of what homes actually sell for. With low housing turnover in San Anselmo and Fairfax, the average assessed value is far below market value — so property tax revenue going to our schools is a fraction of what you'd expect.

The state formula doesn't fill the gap. California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) directs extra funding to school districts with high concentrations of low-income students, English learners, and foster youth. Because Ross Valley has very few of these students, we receive almost none of that supplemental funding.

The result: RVSD runs on a bare-minimum funding year after year — and our teachers are among the lowest paid in Marin County.

Measure B is a bond measure that was approved by voters for our local high school district, TUHSD. RVSD is a separate district covering four elementary schools and White Hill Middle school in San Anselmo and Fairfax.

While Measure E received the support of the majority of our community, it came short of 2/3 votes required to pass. RVSD listened to the feedback— Measure H is a flat per parcel tax that the Board of Trustees voted to put on a statewide election ballot.

Local parcel tax provides 16% of our school district’s budget and is used for teachers salaries and essential academic programs. Measure H will continue this critical locally controlled funding. By law, this funding cannot be used for administrative salaries or pensions.

RVSD has been making budget cuts for over 5 years, and the only cuts left at this point are to the core academic programs.

The funding from Measure H will be used for teacher salaries. By law parcel tax funds cannot be used for administrative salaries or pensions.

No. RVSD enrollment has increased this school year and is projected to increase over the next few years based on a recent demographic report.

Combining two school districts is only possible if it is led by citizens or approved by the both Boards. Given that RVSD is the least funded district in Marin County, neighboring districts are unlikely to combine with it. Even if they did, it will not solve the funding deficit problem.