Parcel Tax and a Whole Lotta Business Goin' On

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The Monday, August 7, 2023, LASD Board meeting will start its open session at 7:00pm and contemporaneous public comments may only be made in person in the LASD Board Room. We continue to use the Zoom webinar platform for community members to follow our meetings at home. If you cannot attend in person, and have a comment that you would like the LASD Board to consider in its decision making, please email all of us at [email protected].  To register to watch the board meeting from the comfort of your home, click here.  The entire agenda and supporting documentation for this week's meeting can be found here.

First up on the agenda, Erik Walukiewicz and Sandra McGonagle will give an update on 2023-24 School Preparations.  This is a discussion item and their presentation can be found under agenda item H.1.  The presentation includes updates on enrollment, staffing, summer construction projects, repairs at Oak, and a visit from Shanghai High School. 

Next, Erik will give the Board an Overview of the 2023/24 State Budget.  This is a discussion item, and his presentation can be found under agenda item H.2.  It is always important to remember that LASD is a Basic Aid/Community Funded District.  You may ask, what does that mean?  It means most of our funding comes from property taxes (71% for 23/24) and parcel taxes (12% for 23/24) with funds only received from the State for categorial grants like Special Education, Learning Recovery Block Grant, Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Block Grant, and Proposition 28 Arts and Music Education Funding.  Furthermore, the state has instituted mandates like Universal Transitional Kindergarten and Universal Meals that were unfunded or underfunded for basic aid districts like our own.  That is to say, the states requires us to do it (and it is a great thing to do), but we get little or no funding for the requirement. 

Then, Sandra McGonagle will lead a Public Hearing Regarding a Proposed Education Parcel Tax on November 7, 2023 Ballot and put forth a Resolution Calling an Election for an Education Parcel Tax.  This is an action item and her presentation and the resolution can be found under agenda items H.3 and 4.  Staff recommends the Board approve placing a parcel tax on a special November 7, 2023 ballot for Los Altos School District voters to consider.  The proposed parcel tax is a renewal of Measure GG ($223 per parcel) passed in 2016, with an increase of $72 per parcel (for inflation) and includes:

• exemptions for senior citizens and those on SSI and SSDI,
• 4% annual adjustments (equalling $12-$15 per parcel),
• independent oversight,
• a portion for Bullis Charter School,  
• no funds for administrators, and
• an expiration in 8 years.  

LASD needs these funds to attract and retain highly qualified teachers, protect programs in reading, writing, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, and maintain the high quality neighborhood schools you know and love.  The inflation increase and the annual adjustment are required for LASD to keep pace with the rising cost of providing a top quality education, by affording our teachers and staff a living wage.  LASD is one of the most expensive places to live in the county and our educators struggle to live anywhere near the community they serve.  Because of inadequate state funding, and therefore, a reliance on local funding, LASD needs this parcel tax to ensure our teachers don't leave for higher paying districts and will allow LASD to continue to be a destination district for families and educators alike.  

Erik will next present a Transfer of Development Rights Agreement with Merlone Geier.  This is an action item and the agreement can be found under agenda item H.5.  The Board is asked to approve this revised agreement with Merlone Geier.  Merlone Geier, along with several other developers, made the purchase of the 10th site affordable for LASD by committing to purchasing developments rights that came with the 10th site for a total of $79.3 million.  This agreement revises/extends the term of the agreement.  

Erik will then present a Contract Amendment with Peter Ingram Consulting.  This is an action item and the agreement can be found under agenda item H.6.  The Board is asked to approve this amendment for the consultant we use for navigating the complexities of the 10th site and the unprecedented deal that was put together to allow us to afford it.  

Next, Erik will present an Appointment to the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee.  This is an action item and the application of the appointee can be found under agenda item H.7.  The Board is asked to approve the appointment of Li Zhang to the committee. 

Then, Erik will present a Resolution Requesting Santa Clara County Establish the District's Tax Year 2023-24 General Obligation Bond Tax Levy at the Requested Levy of $19.50 per $100,000 of Assessed Value. This is an action item and the resolution can be found under agenda item H.8.  The Board is asked to approve this resolution that will merely continue the tax levy the county is already levying for our general obligation bonds.  

Erik will next present a Resolution Authorizing Applying for California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency (CalSHAPE) Program Grant. This is an action item and the resolution can be found under agenda item H.9.  The Board is asked to approve this resolution that will allow the District to apply for over $1 million in funding for HVAC related expenses.  

Erik will finally be able to sit down after he presents a Board Policy Update Regarding Design Build Contracts.  This is an action item and the Board Policy can be found under agenda item H.10.  The Board is asked to approve this policy that outlines how the Board can award Design Build Contracts when building facilities.

Last but not least, Sandra will present a Resolution Authorizing Absences for Religious Exercises or Instruction.  This is an action item and the resolution can be found under agenda item H.11.  The Board is asked to pass this resolution.  This resolution fits squarely within LASD's dedication to anti-bias in education and ensures students of all religions receive excused absences for exercising their religion. 

Please note, this is just the highlights of what is on the agenda for the 8/7/23 meeting.  You can inform yourself about the rest of the agenda at the link provided above.  As always, feel free to email me with any questions.