Ask a parent of school-age youth what brought them to Lafayette and you’ll likely hear about the high ratings of the schools. What is less remarkable about the school system is statewide funding.

    In recent years, a parcel tax for property owners, also known as Measure L has helped bridge that gap through locally controlled funding. Voters will have the chance to renew the parcel tax in June when voting on Measure H. A yes vote would bring the per-parcel tax up to $585, a 56% increase from Measure L, for the next nine years. The measure includes an annual 3% adjustment to account for inflation, and extends an exemption for seniors and renters – though it’s unclear if these populations may indirectly incur some of the costs through increasing rent costs. 

    Laney Whitcanack is a parent of a Stanley middle-schooler and an Acalanes student, and the chair of ‘Yes on Measure H.’ She says she believes the fee is small when she considers the return of the investment for the whole community. 

    “When you ask people why they move to Lafayette, 9 or 10 times out of 10, they say it’s for our incredible schools,” Whitcanack says. “I think of H as the heart measure because our schools are the heart of Lafayette.”

    Whitcanack added that California’s funding formula underfunds districts like Lafayette, causing the district to rely on local sources such as LPIE and parcel taxes for up to 20% of funding. She says that Measure H would bring in an estimated $5.1 million/annually for the next nine years–which she believes will help to safeguard the teachers and programs that make the schools strong.

    “It's really focused on attracting and retaining high quality teachers, protecting the incredible math, science and engineering programs that we have for our students, our reading, writing and language programs, our performing arts programs, and ensuring that we can continue to have manageable class sizes and keep our facilities clean and safe,” Whitcanack says. 

    Those voicing concerns about the Measure point to the $257 increase per parcel over the previous $328 per parcel tax and its nine-year long-term obligation, as well as the desire for funding to be handled entirely through state funds without requiring a tax increase.  

    Katy Foreman, Lafayette School Board President and mom of two students in the school district, says good schools are good for everyone in the community. 

    “Most of the seniors (I talk to) take great pride in the fact that our schools are so high performing because they've served their children well, even if their children are long gone, or they have grandchildren in our schools,” Foreman says.  

    Foreman says there’s also a long-term economic incentive for homeowners and business owners. 

    “Our great schools impact the value of our homes, so supporting Measure H is a good investment for residents even if they don’t have school age children,” Foreman says. “We have the endorsement of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and that's because business owners in Lafayette know that our schools, and the schools that attract these families to live here are really kind of the heartbeat of our economy.” 

    Foreman noted that while the federal government’s tone toward education has not been positive, less than 1% of the school’s budget comes from federal funding. 

    “It just makes us more focused on protecting ourselves locally and making sure we have what we need to deliver to our students,” Foreman said. "That's why local funding matters.”

    The measure requires a 66.67% supermajority to pass, according to Ballotpedia.