Arguments in for, against Redwood City School District parcel tax: Per-square-foot tax could generate $12.2 million annually in new revenue

Measure C is seeking to establish a 17.5 cent tax per building square foot, with a cap on the total amount and exceptions for seniors, for a duration of eight years within the district’s zone. For a 1,000-square-foot property, that tax would be $175 per year. 

The parcel tax “prevents cuts to critical basic programs” and “keeps high-quality educators in local classrooms,” the argument in favor of the measure said. Having a high-quality teacher in classrooms is the most important element of providing a quality education, it argued. 

“Many local teachers are struggling with the high cost of living in our area,” the pro argument read. “Without Measure [C], we risk losing some of our great teachers to less expensive areas or higher-paying districts.” 

The primary arguments in favor of the measure was cosigned by Breanna Geer, Redwood City Teachers Association president; Verónica Escámez, Casa Círculo Cultural executive director; small business owner Courtney Borrone, former Redwood City Councilmember Alicia Aguirre and Liliana Ortiz, Redwood City Education Foundation executive director. 

Long-standing tax opponent, the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, submitted the primary argument against the parcel tax. Its president Mark Hinkle cosigned the argument. 

“All the public officials would rather have gullible voters force taxpayers, including themselves, to send every dollar they dream up to some government agency or another,” the anti-argument read. “It’s more for them. Less for you.” 

Revenue from a parcel tax can be used for a larger variety of school programs — unlike a bond measure which must go to facilities — and often is used to pay teachers, specifically. Funds cannot be used for administrator salaries or pensions. 

Single-family homeowners and small business owners “will pay significant less than large properties,” the pro argument reads. There are also exemptions for seniors. 

“Measure C ensures that large commercial properties and corporations pay their fair share to support local schools,” it said. 

Redwood City School District levied a tax, adopted as Measure U by voters in 2016 and set to expire in 2030, which brings in far less revenue annually, at $1.9 million. 

If Measure C passes in June, the revenue would be in addition to Measure U. This would add a per square footage tax onto the flat $85 tax per parcel. For a 1,000-square-foot property, both taxes combined would tax property owners $260 a year. 

District staff said they would allocate the revenue across campuses depended on student enrollment, and the enrollment of “unduplicated pupils,” which means students who may be English learners, foster youth or students eligible for free or reduced-meals. 

Each school site, including charter schools, will get a base of $50,000 annually, and then get an additional amount based on enrollment and unduplicated pupil count. 

Across the 12 school sites, excluding the charter schools, the total annual allocation was proposed to range from $298,338 to $685,525, according to the draft distribution list. The per-pupil allocation across sites would range from $543 to $1,143, annually.