Voters within the boundaries of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD), which spans 723 square miles across three counties and serves about 4,000 students, will see the return of a school parcel tax question on their Nov. 3 ballots: Measure P.
The tax was first passed by voters with 74% in 1989 for $48 a year per parcel. Currently, the annual tax is $148 per parcel and provides $5.6 million annually to the district. Measure P — which last passed as Measure AA in 2018 and previously existed as Measures A and S — asks to increase the annual amount to $188 for nine years. The up in price is due to inflation since 2018.
If passed by two-thirds of voters, that would mean approximately $7 million a year. This funding, which stays entirely in district schools, goes toward science, tech, engineering, and math programs; attracting and retaining quality teachers; job preparation in health and trades; and maintaining manageable class sizes.
TTUSD Superintendent Kerstin Kramer told Moonshine Ink, “It’s a game changer for the district and the kids.” She gave such examples as the expansive advanced placement class options and how students only need backpacks for school. “We provide everything,” she said in reference to the existing Measure AA, which emphasizes funding for essential instructional materials, equipment, and supplies.
Opponents to the measure, including Placer County Republican Party Chairman Mark Wright and the Nevada County Republican Party, neither of which responded to request for comment, point out through a formal argument against Measure P in the Nevada County Voter Information Guide that the timing is a concern: TTUSD is putting the ballot question up a year earlier than it needs to. Measure AA does not end until after fiscal year 2027/28, but if Measure P passes, it would replace the final year of Measure AA (and a $40 cheaper tax).
Further, opponents also say the measure’s funding breakdown is too vague. “Measure P is projected to generate approximately $7 million annually, yet the district states that failing to renew the tax would require ‘over $5 million’ in budget reductions,” states the argument. “Taxpayers deserve a detailed explanation of the difference and a clear, public spending plan before being asked to approve millions in additional revenue.”
The $2 million-discrepancy, Measure P advocates say, is the result of inflation; the $40 annual increase adds more money in the pot.
Kramer explained the reason for putting the parcel tax up a year early is to allow bandwidth for a plan B should Measure P not pass. “Generally, you don’t wait until right before it expires,” she said. “We have to plan and if we had to reduce staffing, all that would have to occur the year before. You want to give people a long runway.”
Should Measure P fail, she said it will give the district other opportunities to perform community outreach to understand what type of measure could pass. If Measure P ends up passing, it will go into effect July 1, 2027.
Exemptions to the tax are possible: Qualifying property owners who are at least 65 years of age, receive Supplemental Security Income due to disability, or qualify as recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are not required to pay the parcel tax.
An independent oversight committee and other funding structures are already in place, meant to protect and ensure accountability.
The (seven) million-dollar question:
To protect quality education in local schools, continue supporting math, science, engineering, technology, arts, and skilled trades/job training programs preparing students for success in college/careers; attracting/retaining highly qualified teachers; and maintaining manageable class sizes, shall Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s measure be adopted, renewing the expiring $148 annual school parcel tax with a $40 increase, for nine years, with senior exemptions, annual inflation adjustments, independent oversight/ audits, and all funds (approximately $7,000,000 annually) benefiting local students?
