Support The Local School Parcel Taxes - They’re The Best Investment You Can Make In Your Home Values!

We strongly support the parcel tax renewal in our own community, which is the Larkspur School District, and we encourage you to do the same. If you live outside the district, look carefully at supporting any new school taxes on your ballot. You should - it is in your own self interest!

This is an easy one for us, even though our children went to St. Patrick’s until high school. It should be an easy one for you too.

First, schools are the cornerstones of our communities. People move into a community  for the schools. We hear it every day…how are the schools? What are the teachers like? Are the API scores good?

Second, the schools desperately need money. California ranks 50th in the United States in per capita spending in the schools. Yes, the Golden State, with an educational system that was once the envy of the entire country, now spends less per capita on education than states normally reserved for Jeff Foxworthy “You might be a redneck if…” jokes. The only way to make up the shortfall is through local bond measures and parcel taxes.

Third, it is the best investment you will make in your own home, period. The better the schools are in your community, the more people will pay to live there. We’ve done our homework to prove it.

For example, home values in San Rafael vary widely, driven mainly by school district.Dixie schools command a significant premium in home prices compared to San Rafael Elementary. And within San Rafael Elementary, specific elementary schools command higher values than others.

In Larkspur and Corte Madera,where significant bond and parcel taxes passed in the last ten years have resulted in highly visible new construction projects, average sale price has increased much faster than the County average. In the last ten years, the County average sale price was up 117%, but Larkspur was up 152%, and Corte Madera up 183%! The weather or views didn’t get any better in those ten years, but Neil Cummins, Hall, and Redwood all got new gyms, classrooms, and major facelifts. Home buyers notice that when they drive by the schools.

Ross Valley schools will be voting on a bond measure, as well as a parcel tax. No one is in the mood to pass new taxes right now. But even if you think the schools are wasting money (and if you do, start attending school board meetings to see how they address these issues) be selfish. Vote for the parcel tax - it’s the best investment you can make in your home.

Share This