2 Marin school districts seek parcel tax approvals on Nov. 5 ballot

Voters in the Sausalito Marin City School District and the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District will be asked to approve a parcel tax on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Both Measure G and Measure C would require approval by two-thirds of voters in their respective districts for the measures to pass.

Measure G in the Sausalito Marin City School District would assess tax of 15 cents per square foot per residence or commercial building annually for eight years. For a 2,000-square-foot home, the tax would be $300 a year.

The tax would be capped at 23,000 square feet. Unimproved properties would be assessed a flat $25 tax annually. Measure G includes an exemption for seniors with lower incomes.

Measure G would raise about $1.3 million annually for the school district. It would be the first parcel tax in the district’s history. The district is the only school district out of 17 in Marin that does not have a parcel tax.

According to the argument in favor of Measure G submitted for the Nov. 5 ballot, the money would be spent to “attract and retain high quality teachers, provide additional programs in reading and math, provide educational opportunities and programs that students need to achieve in high school and college, maintain manageable class sizes, improve instructional materials and to provide academic intervention for children who need additional support.”

“Our Sausalito-Marin City schools have suffered for many years from inadequate funding from state and local resources,” the argument said. “This, coupled with the high cost of living in the Bay Area, makes recruiting and retaining quality teachers and educational staff increasingly difficult for all subjects and grade levels.”

The argument in favor was signed by district board president Lisa Bennett and four others: Shirley Thornton, Ida Times-Green, Kirstin Thomas and Laura Diaz.

“Strong schools underpin our property values,” the argument concludes. “Whether you have children in the schools or not, Measure G is a sound investment in our community.”

Measure G also has the support of the Marin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, or COST, said leader Mimi Willard. Willard, who has studied the district’s budget, said she supports the district in receiving extra revenue for attracting and retaining staff and enhancing academic programs.

Also, COST supports the use of the per-square-foot parcel tax, she said.

“SMCSD is pioneering a more fair school parcel tax — the first of its kind in Marin — levied per square foot rather than per property,” Willard said. “COST has long opposed flat parcel taxes, under which the owner of a mansion pays the same as a studio condo.”

There were no opposing arguments posted, according to the county elections office.

In the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District, Measure C would levy a flat tax of $390 per parcel annually for five years, with a 3% annual increase.

Measure C would raise about $682,500 annually to support the district’s arts programs and diverse learners, provide competitive salaries, fund school operations and achieve educational goals.

It is a renewal of the district’s parcel tax that expires June 30, 2025. Measure C also offers exemptions for residents 65 and older.

There were no supporting or opposing arguments submitted for Measure C, according to the county elections office.

The Marin County elections department is expected to send out mail-in ballots for the elections starting Oct. 7.