What Passage of Measure B Means

Voters in the Lafayette School District resoundingly passed Measure B on May 6 with 73 percent of the vote, well exceeding the two-thirds majority required. The $539 per parcel tax extends two existing parcel taxes that were set to expire in June, 2015.

Unlike prior parcel taxes, Measure B has no sunset date; supporters argued that this provides sustained funding that the district can count on, and that funds are essential to maintain the district's schools and educational programs.

"We are deeply grateful to the entire Lafayette community for their support of both Measures A and B," said Rachel Zinn, superintendent of the Lafayette School District. "Given that Measure B is 15 percent of the budget, or $4.6 million for the Lafayette School District, its passage was critical to our ability to sustain important, quality programs for our students." She describes its passage as "huge," explaining the absolute need for a stable dependable source of funding. "The fact that the tax doesn't sunset means, as one board member shared, we don't have to bet the farm every time we have to go out for a tax."

State funding has been reduced over the past five years by 22 percent, or $1,433 per student. Lafayette's per pupil funding is well below the state average. Seniors aged 65 and older can apply to be exempt from the tax - applications are available from the school district's website at www.lafsd.k12.ca.us.

What about Measure A?

Measure A, the parcel tax renewal that supports the Acalanes Union High School District - made up of Lamorinda high schools, Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte, along with Las Lomas in Walnut Creek and Acalanes Center for Independent Study, was also approved with just over 75 percent of the vote. The $112 per parcel tax has no sunset date.



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