Mill Valley School District approves tax measure for ballot

Mill Valley School District voters will decide this spring whether to renew the district’s parcel tax and reauthorize a supplemental tax that expired during the pandemic.

The district’s board of trustees voted unanimously Thursday in favor of placing the combined parcel tax proposal on the June 2 ballot. The measure will need a two-thirds majority to pass.

The measure would renew the current Measure E parcel tax at the rate of $1,520 per parcel annually, plus an additional $234 per parcel to reauthorize the supplemental tax that expired in 2021.

The combined measure would set the parcel tax rate at $1,754, effective July 1. The term is eight years, with 5% annual increases.

Natalie Katz, president of the district board, thanked numerous community members and civic groups who have “already jumped in head first” to support the tax campaign.

“This parcel tax will be a game changer for this community,” Katz said Thursday. “I want to make sure people are reminded of the value that public schools bring to Mill Valley.”

The tax would generate about $14.9 million annually, about a quarter of the district’s budget of $58 million. The current Measure E parcel tax, which expires in June 2029, generates about $12.7 million annually, according to the district.

Parcel taxes pay for staff salaries and “to protect quality academic programs in reading and writing, science, technology, engineering and math,” according to the text of the proposal issued by the district.

“The parcel tax is essential to maintaining the quality of education our community expects,” said Elizabeth Kaufman, the district’s superintendent. “It supports excellent teachers, strong academic programs and the resources our students need to succeed. Strong schools benefit not only our students, but the entire community.”

The measure would offer exemptions for property owners older than 65. It also would offer exemptions to residents on Social Security disability and low-income residents of any age who are on disability.

The Mill Valley School District has relied on its parcel tax to support its academic programs since 1987.

The district has about 2,400 students at five elementary schools and a middle school. Its constituents live in incorporated Mill Valley and the unincorporated areas of Strawberry, Tamalpais Valley, Alto, Almonte, Homestead Valley and Muir Beach.