Parcel tax: FAQs

How are Mountain View Whisman schools doing?

At the Mountain View Whisman School District, we are committed to ensuring that all students have a chance to succeed and receive a high quality education. Whether it is providing academic support for students struggling with the basics or challenging academics for high achieving students, our focus is preparing local students for future success in high school, college and their careers.

How does local education funding support student success?

Since 2004, our community has supported local education funding that has allowed our schools to maintain quality academic programs district-wide and support highly qualified teachers. 

Why did MVWSD place a renewal measure on the ballot in 2017?

In order to maintain quality education in our schools, the MVWSD Board of Trustees placed a measure on the May 2017 ballot to renew our local parcel tax for education funding. 

Specifically, what does Measure B/Parcel tax do?

Funding from a potential measure could be used to:

  • Provide academic support at every elementary school for English language learners and those students having difficulty with the basics like reading, writing or math
  • Offer competitive compensation so the best teachers can continue to live and work in this expensive area
  • Maintain small class sizes to enhance individualized instruction
  • Provide challenging academic programs for high achieving students

How can we be sure that funds would be spent properly?

Ever since voters approved local school funding more than a decade ago, an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee has consistently confirmed that the district has used the money as promised. This measure would maintain the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility:

  • All money raised would continue to stay here in our local community and could not be taken away by the State
  • None of the money would be used to increase administrator salaries or benefits
  • Senior citizens and low income homeowners with disabilities would be eligible for an exemption from the cost of the measure
  • An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee would continue to ensure that all money is spent properly
  • The measure would include modifications to comply with changes to State law to protect this critical source of local funding

Would any exemptions be available?

Yes, senior citizens and low-income homeowners with disabilities would continue to be eligible for an exemption from the cost of the measure.  To learn more about the exemption process, please call the district at (650) 526-3500. 

Does this measure change the structure of our parcel tax?

Parcel taxes must be applied uniformly across all taxable parcels of land within the district’s boundaries. The measure being planned for the ballot brings MVWSD’s parcel tax into compliance with state law to protect this funding against potential challenges.

How does MVWSD’s parcel tax compare to those in neighboring communities?

Most homeowners in Mountain View pay $191 per year, which is more modest than what homeowners in neighboring school districts pay. For example, homeowners in Los Altos pay $820 per year and those in Palo Alto pay $869.77 per year.

 


Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.