AUSD Notes: Alameda school district releases parcel tax program reports

This week we at the Alameda Unified School District want to let readers know that we’ve released our 2023-24 parcel tax program reports. The reports provide details on revenues and expenditures for Measures B1 and A for that year, as well as an overview of the district’s parcel tax program and details of the Oversight Committee’s work.

Last year, Measure B1 (passed in 2016) provided $13 million to the AUSD. Those revenues were allocated to the categories mandated in the measure, which include small class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, neighborhood schools, high school sports, visual arts and media centers, Advanced Placement courses, college and career counselors and programs to close academic achievement gaps.

Measure A (passed in 2020) provided about $11 million last year. As mandated in that measure, the AUSD used that revenue specifically to help attract and retain high-quality employees by raising salaries closer to the county average. Together, the two measures provided more than $24 million to the AUSD, or about 20% of the school district’s budget.

The 38-page report also includes factual information on Measure E, a parcel tax that will combine and renew Measures B1 and A, without increasing taxes. Measure E goes into effect on July 1.

“I remain deeply grateful to the Alameda community for their support of our students, our staff, and our educational programs,” AUSD Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi said in the report’s introduction. “At a time of ever-changing educational priorities and budgetary allocations at the federal and state level, having a stable source of funding at the local level allows us to plan and build stronger programs and attract and retain the high-quality teachers our students need and deserve.”

The staff and committee reports were presented at the March 25 AUSD Board of Education meeting and are available on the school district’s Parcel Tax Program webpage. We also want to remind readers that Alameda property owners age 65 or older or who receive federal Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance can be exempted from the AUSD’s parcel taxes.

To apply for this exemption, you need to be 65 years old before July 1 of the upcoming fiscal year (which then runs through June 30, 2026) or receiving SSI or SSDI regardless of your age. You can submit your application by filling out a paper form or using our internet portal. Both applications are available online at bit.ly/ausdtaxememptions.

Finally, please remember that the AUSD’s Human Resources Department is hosting a job fair this Saturday at Ruby Bridges Elementary School. Staff will be on hand to talk about openings in the school district and the many benefits of working for our organization (including pensions and paid vacations). The job fair will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, and all are welcome!

Reach Susan Davis, the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs, at 510-337-7175 or SDavis@alamedaunified.org.