Voters in the San Lorenzo Unified School District will decide on Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether to renew the district's $99-a-year parcel tax for another 12 years. Measure J would keep the tax at its current rate starting July 1, 2027, and the district estimates it would bring in about $1.8 million a year. As a special tax, it needs a two-thirds "yes" vote to pass.
The district serves nearly 8,000 students at 17 schools, from preschool through adult education, according to the district and the board resolution that put the measure on the ballot. The board voted unanimously to place it before voters.
What a yes vote does
A yes vote renews the $99 tax on each parcel in the district for 12 years. The ballot question says the money would go to "academic excellence and programs in reading, writing, math, arts, science and technology," to attracting and keeping teachers and staff, and to "stable, local funding the State cannot take away." The district says that includes recruiting teachers in hard-to-fill areas such as special education, math and science. The ballot question also says no money can go to district administrators.
The County Counsel's impartial analysis says the measure requires the district to keep the money in a separate account, give the school board an annual report on what was collected and spent, run an annual audit and appoint a citizens' oversight committee to review spending.
What a no vote does
A no vote lets the current tax expire. The district says its last voter-approved parcel tax ends this year, and losing it would cost $1.8 million a year for academic programs and keeping teachers.
Who can get an exemption
Besides properties already exempt from property tax, owners can apply for an exemption on a home they own and live in as their main residence if they are 65 or older, receive Supplemental Security Income for a disability, or receive Social Security Disability Insurance and meet income limits, according to the impartial analysis.
Who is for and against
The official argument in favor was signed by former San Lorenzo Unified board member Penny Peck, local business owner Robert Glaze, 40-year resident Sandra Vincent and community member Aisha Knowles. It says Measure J "won't raise tax rates" and that without it, "over $1,800,000 will need to be cut from the budget, forcing the layoff of 20 teachers." No official argument against Measure J was filed.
Several other East Bay school districts are asking voters for parcel tax money this fall, including Dublin Unified's Measure I and West Contra Costa's Measure V. See every Alameda County measure in our 2026 Bay Area election guide.