On the November 3, 2026 ballot, we have the opportunity to renew the San Carlos Parcel Tax in order to continue supporting teachers and schools. This renewal measure will replace Measure N, the parcel tax San Carlos voters approved in 2020, with a modest increase to keep pace with rising costs. The money funds teachers, counselors, and academic programs. Every dollar stays local — none of it can be taken by the state or used to pay administrator salaries. 

Senior citizen resident homeowners 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption through a simple application process.

Ask any real estate agent in San Carlos what buyers ask about first — schools come up every time. Strong schools protect your property value and keep families choosing to put down roots here, which is good for homeowners and local businesses alike.

Good schools are critical for San Carlos to be “The City of Good Living.” Strong schools create continual demand for housing, which stimulates the local economy and keeps property values high. Investing in local schools is an investment in the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Protect our schools, and keep San Carlos “The City of Good Living” with a YES vote.

If we do not get two-thirds of voters to renew the Parcel Tax, the San Carlos School District (SCSD) will lose about $3 million dollars per year when Measure N expires. This is a big deal. The consequences of Measure N expiring, without a renewal measure in place would be severe. Our local TK-8 schools would have to lay off teachers, make drastic cuts to academic programs, increase class sizes, and maintain only basics. SCSD receives ~10% of revenue from the state of California, and ~90% comes from our local Community. Renewing our parcel tax allows SCSD to keep good teachers in San Carlos classrooms. 

Every vote counts, so please vote YES.

If approved by two-thirds of voters, the cost to local property owners would be $40.75 a month or $489 a year with annual cost-of-living adjustments, per parcel, for 8 years to provide a stable, local source of funding for San Carlos School District schools. There is an exemption for seniors over 65 who own homes. 

The language on the ballot: 

“To protect outstanding educational programs, hands-on science, math, technology, arts, reading and writing, attract and retain high-quality teachers, maintain reasonable class sizes, and sustain property values, shall the San Carlos School District’s measure be adopted to replace its existing parcel tax at a $489 per parcel rate (raising approximately $4,400,000 annually) for 8 years, with annual cost-of-living adjustments, citizen oversight, senior exemptions, all funds spent locally and no funds used for administrator salaries?”

Senior citizen resident homeowners 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption through a simple application process. Those with an existing exemption do not need to re-apply. We do not want this measure to become a burden to those living on a fixed income. To find out more about how to apply, please contact Lisa Ceragioli by phone: (650) 590-5927 or email: [email protected]

This Measure will REQUIRE taxpayer protections. All funds raised would stay local to support San Carlos SD instructional programs/teachers and cannot be taken by the State or spent on administrators’ salaries. An independent citizen oversight committee and annual audits are required to ensure the SCSD uses the funds as promised.

The San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) is a non-profit organization that helps the San Carlos School District provide a well-rounded public education for all students. SCEF raises essential funds from parents and community partners for key student programs not supported by the state in our local elementary and middle schools. San Carlos School District relies on both SCEF and the Parcel tax to maintain low class sizes.

Great question. Bonds by law must be used to fund school facility improvements, and cannot be used for teachers or programs. Parcel tax revenues can fund teachers, programs and services. In short, Bonds are for Buildings. Parcel taxes are for People.

Yes - your vote truly matters! A parcel tax measure requires approval by two-thirds (66.7%) of registered voters who vote on the parcel tax measure. In contrast, a school bond only requires 55% plus one to pass. Failure to pass would force our schools to layoff teachers, harming the reputation of “The City of Good Living." Protect our schools, and our home values, by voting Yes.

Our schools – Arundel Elementary, Brittan Acres Elementary, Heather Elementary, White Oaks Elementary, Arroyo Upper Elementary, Mariposa Upper Elementary, Central Middle School, Tierra Linda Middle School, and San Carlos Charter – consistently rank among the top in the state.  All of our schools in the San Carlos School District have been recognized as a California Distinguished School. However, without adequate funding, they are at risk.  

It’s not an expense problem; it’s a revenue problem.  The state’s funding formula underfunds San Carlos School District.  In fact, we’re among the lowest funded in the county & state.  Without renewing our Parcel Tax, about $3 million dollars will disappear from the SCSD budget, leading to teacher layoffs and increased class sizes that will impact our students’ daily experience.

Fortunately, our community has consistently approved local, parcel taxes to protect our exceptional teaching staff. 

Yes, commercial, industrial, and residential property owners will be subject to the same rate per parcel.