RCSD Decides Against Parcel Tax for November Ballot

Redwood City School District (RCSD) has opted not to place a parcel tax on the November ballot following a comprehensive analysis of community readiness. Though there is strong support for local schools, recent surveys revealed a 60.5% approval rate—falling short of the 66.7% threshold required for passage.

The district’s decision was influenced by feedback indicating that, while supportive, many community members felt now was not the right time to pursue the measure. This reflects a broader trend seen in other districts, with some delaying similar initiatives due to current political and economic climates.

“With the upcoming presidential election’s contentious nature, gaining the necessary backing would have been extremely challenging,” explained Superintendent Dr. John Baker. “Proceeding without strong community support would risk volunteer burnout and strain district resources.”

Trustee Mike Wells voiced his concerns during the public Board of Trustees meeting discussion on August 28, noting the impact of lost COVID relief funding on schools.

“With the COVID funding and the extra funds, we kind of, sort of, got the smell of what fully funded schools could actually start to look like and now to see it ripped away … I hate that the reaction is always cut, cut, cut. There has to be other ways to fund revenue and put those initiatives in. We got to see what these programs could look like, we know these programs are important, we see it from the community, we know it … right now, we don’t have those alternatives. Looking for those alternatives is the thing to do.” -- Trustee Mike Wells

Trustee Alisa MacAvoy echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the challenges of moving forward during an election year. “We know we need the money for our students, but, given the whole election going on, and the polling, there would be a lot of noise going on … pull back, regroup, and think about other revenue generation options. We know we’re going to be talking about budget cuts because ultimately at the end of the day you have to balance your budget.”

Although the decision may disappoint the RCSD community, the district noted the possibility of revisiting the measure in the future. A parent who spoke before the Board during the meeting highlighted the potential for a citizen-led initiative that could pass with a 51% majority, suggesting alternative paths forward.