San Carlos School District Board calls for parcel tax election in November

Revenue from the proposed tax will “protect the district’s excellent school programs,” Assistant Superintendent Hans Barber said.  

“I’m glad we’re being honest about what we need and we’re asking for the amount we need to sustain our schools,” board President Sarah Kinahan said. 

After a study showed anticipated minimal voter support for a victorious June election, the district’s Board of Trustees opted to put the time into educating voters and demonstrating the need. 

“There’s a huge need for this,” Trustee Sarah Cassanego said. “I feel a little nervous given the polling results, so we need to do everything we can about telling people about the need. We’ll need a lot of support.”

The district maintains four transitional-kindergarten through third grade elementary schools, two upper elementary schools for fourth and fifth graders and two sixth through eighth grade middle schools. 

The district is one of the few districts in San Mateo County that is seeing enrollment increase. In the 2025-26 school year, approximately 2,975 are enrolled, and this is expected to increase to 3,002 in the next two years. It’s estimated to level out around 2,966 in the 2029-30 school year.

It’s estimated to end the current school year with a $7,956,978 budget, according to a report presented in December 2025. The deficit is approximately $2.5 million in the current school year and is projected to grow to nearly $4.39 million in two years.