• May 21

     

    Dear Community:

     

    The County Registrar of Voters updated the Measure T results  with the official and final results. While the District’s parcel tax measure received strong community support with 63.63% “yes” votes, it did not reach the two-thirds (66.7%) threshold required for the passage of a parcel tax. This outcome is deeply disappointing given the tremendous energy and commitment shown by so many over the last few months in support of Measure T. 

     

    AUHSD has some of the highest performing high schools in the State and exceptional academic and co-curricular opportunities for its students. Given the District’s low State funding levels, the District’s programming and opportunities for students are highly dependent on local funding through its parcel tax and education foundation contributions.  

     

    Given Measure T’s failure, our schools are as dependent as ever on the work of our education foundations. Please consider a contribution to support their efforts. Here is a link to our education foundations.

     

    In the absence of Measure T funding, we will move forward with the approximately $2 million in reductions for the 2025-2026 school year. These reductions have been planned with care to minimize direct impact on student learning, but there will be noticeable effects. The master schedule will be tighter (larger class sizes and more second choice electives for students), professional development opportunities will be reduced, and supply budgets across sites and departments will be scaled back.

     

    More reductions will likely be required for the following year without the introduction of new revenue. These anticipated reductions will likely have a larger impact on student elective choice and the support services available to students. The next 12 months will be critical as the Governing Board further examines the revenues and expenditures within the AUHSD budget. 

     

    The Board will continue their review of the budget through their Board meetings and study sessions. They will likely ask to reconvene the AUHSD Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) at the end of summer. The BAC met last year to study areas for reductions and revenue enhancement and would be charged with a similar task during the 2025-2026 school year.

     

    Thank you for your continued support of the Acalanes Union High School District.

     

    Sincerely,

     

    John Nickerson

    Superintendent

     

     

    Information Regarding Measure T

    Maintaining Academic Excellence and Keeping Great Teachers in Local High Schools

    Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) is among the highest-performing districts in California. Our District, which includes Acalanes High School, Las Lomas High School, Campolindo High School, Miramonte High School, and the Acalanes Center for Independent Study, proudly upholds a tradition of academic excellence, protecting the quality of life and property values in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Moraga, and Orinda.

     

    Local High Schools Among the Lowest Funded in California

    The State of California only funds the basics in schools and often falls far short of what the District’s community expects for its high schools. In fact, local high schools receive among the lowest levels of state funding in all of California.

     

     Local Funding Sources Have Stagnated
    Locally controlled parcel tax funding plays an important role in recruiting high-quality teachers, maintaining small classroom sizes, and providing a broad assortment of AP classes. The funding that sustains these programs has not increased in 15 years, yet the cost of providing these programs has increased consistently over the years. As a result, each of the District’s high schools is facing potential cuts to key academic programs.

     

    The AUHSD Governing Board recently voted unanimously to place a $130 parcel tax measure on the May 6, 2025, special election ballot. If approved by voters, this measure would provide $4.5 million annually in locally controlled funding for each high school, helping them to:

    • Continue advanced academic programs including math, science, engineering, and the arts
    • Attract and retain highly qualified teachers
    • Prepare students for college and in-demand careers
    • Maintain manageable class sizes
    • Provide library services, academic counseling, and career training
    • Keep technology up-to-date
    • Provide instructional equipment, materials, and supplies to support the District’s academic programs

     

    Mandatory Fiscal Accountability and Local Control

    If approved by voters, the potential measure would be subject to fiscal oversight as mandated by law:

    • All money would stay local for use in our five local high schools only — no funds could be taken by the State
    • Senior citizens and those with certain disabilities could apply for an exemption
    • Independent citizens’ oversight and mandatory annual audits would be required

     

    Learn More!

    As AUHSD plans for the future, the District welcomes input from both AUHSD families and community members. If you have any questions about the potential measure, contact supperintendent@auhsdschools.org.

     

    Additional Parcel Tax Election Resources 

    Measure Resolution 

    FAQ

    Fact Sheet 

    Parcel Tax Citizens' Oversight Committee