Without any parcel tax, San Bruno Park is asking for one

The revenue would go toward science, technology, engineering, art and math programming, and offering competitive wages to promote teacher and counselor retention at each of its five schools, said board President Raymond Giusti. 

“What we’re asking for is very reasonable,” Giusti said. “It’s eye opening when you see just what other communities give.” 

San Bruno Park is the only elementary district in the county that does not have a consistent and dedicated source of local funding. However, a bond measure passed in 2018 and has helped upgrade facilities. 

“There’s been a long-term issue of the school board, the district and the community,” Giusti said. “Up until the bond measure, I think we were never synching at the right time. We synched then and I think we’ve done a pretty good job showing the community what we can do with that money.”

The district teeters the line between being community funded or state funded, which is “inherently unstable,” Giusti said. 

“This is a recognition asking can we stabilize that a little more,” Giusti said. “Certainly an investment, however small, is a good start. It’s a recognition that education is important. This is our future that we’re trying to educate here.” 

Regardless if a district flips designation, staff retention is particularly hard in an area where rents are high and other districts can offer more competitive wages, Giusti said. The parcel tax revenue, unlike a bond measure, can go toward salaries. 

“We should be able to support them in a way that makes the district stable and benefits everybody,” Giusti said. 

Updating curriculum and technology to be more robust and support STEAM learning is essential, and the district is working with curriculum writers to make sure it is equitable, accessible and addresses the core subject areas sufficiently, Giusti said.

“We have to be ready for the next rounds of advancements,” Giusti said. “If we don’t have our kids prepared for what future prospects are out there, we’re not helping.” 

Two schools in the district — Allen Elementary and Belle Air Elementary — are designated as Title I schools, which Giusti said “certainly require a bit more attention,” but the tax revenue will address these focus areas equitably at each of its five schools. 

“Just because our schools have that designation, that doesn’t minimize or ignore the realities of the other two elementary schools we have,” he said. “Also, our middle school doesn’t have that recognition but it’s by far our biggest school.” 

Though some hesitation may arise from residents who might not have direct ties to the district to support the funding measure, Giusti said it’s an investment in a public resource that helps all.

“For a community that says we’re a ‘community with a heart,’ this is an investment in that community,” Giusti said. “In our more disadvantaged neighborhoods, the school is the only resource people have for food or stability. We do a good job at supporting that now, our ask is to help stabilize that.” 

The term limits measure — Measure O — looks to ultimately increase community participation in the district and allow for “new eyes” through establishing a cap of three terms for its Board of Trustees. 

If passed, trustees can serve three four-year terms in a row, and can only return after not serving for four years. 

“There’s a recognition that in some communities, you’re not going to have a lot of people interested in the position,” Giusti said. “If you’re interested, that’s great, but having change is good too, so every couple years we give someone else a chance.” 

The required turnover of board members looks to promote an interest from community members who may feel their voice or perspective isn’t always represented on the board, Giusti said. 

“After a set number of terms, somebody new has to come in, so there’s your chance if you feel something is not working,” he said. 

With Superintendent Matthew Duffy now serving for more than two years after a revolving door of administrators, and consistent leadership at the middle school, Giusti said these measures reflect that the district is at a “turning point” and able to establish synchronicity with the community.  

“We’re doing as much good as we can, let’s get some help, Giusti said. “Without a doubt, the majority of people in the community trust the school district to have their students go here. This is a recognition of that trust to say ‘hey, this is a full long-term partnership now.’”

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