Currently, the District relies on two parcel taxes to support quality schools and attract and retain excellent teachers. Those parcel taxes are:

Measure B1:

• Expires June 2025
• Approximately $13 Million in revenue

Measure A:

• Expires June 2027
• Approximately $11 Million in revenue

Together the two measures provide about 20 percent of AUSD’s unrestricted annual budget.

It is a shared interest of the District and the community to maintain both the programs funded by Measure B1 and salaries funded by Measure A that will attract and retain excellent employees. Without this funding the district would have to make major cuts in areas ranging from employee salaries, support personnel, district office staff, and number of schools operating across the district.

At its April 25, 2023 meeting, the Board approved the contracting of the firm TeamCivX, LLC  to assess the viability of a parcel tax that would combine, replace, and renew Measures B1 and A without increasing taxes for local property owners. At that same meeting, the Board approved contracting the firm of EMC Research, Inc. to conduct voter opinion research to gauge attitudes towards the district, knowledge of its finances, and renewing existing parcel taxes.

Results indicate that a dedicated parcel tax that would combine, replace, and renew Measures B1 and A without increasing taxes is feasible and that residents generally approve of AUSD and recognize the need for additional funding.

This replacement tax would continue to provide locally controlled funding to help AUSD maintain quality schools by:

• Sustaining strong academic programs in reading, writing, math, arts, and sciences
• Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers by keeping salary and benefits competitive
• Supporting teachers and counselors in keeping struggling students on the right track
• Protecting art, music, sports and performing arts programs

At the November 3, 2023 Board of Education meeting staff gave a presentation on the proposed resolution, ballot summary, and complete measure. Tonight, staff is providing the proposed resolution, ballot summary, and complete measure to the Board for its approval.

If the Board approves ballot language tonight, staff will submit it to the County by December 8, 2023 to qualify for the March 5, 2024 election.

If the measure passes, all funds would continue to be controlled locally and could not be taken away by the State, and as with the current parcel taxes, there would be independent citizens’ oversight and mandatory annual audits required. In addition, senior citizen homeowners and those receiving SSDI would continue to be eligible for an exemption.