Founded in 1863, Union School District has continued to build upon its foundation of excellence. From its earliest beginnings in a one-room schoolhouse to our present district of eight schools with over 5,400 students, USD has continued to provide the community with exceptional schools. Maintaining its stellar achievement as one of the highest performing districts in San Jose, Union is also renowned for providing a caring, supportive, and student-centered culture in all of its schools. Exceptional teachers and instructional support staff, small class sizes, challenging instructional programs, dedicated parent volunteers, and outstanding science, math, and art curricula have prepared generations of local children to succeed in high school, college, and careers. Our goal is to continue that proud tradition. However, due to inadequate state funding and the expiration of our existing community supported parcel tax, the District is assessing our instruction and academic programs to determine whether to just renew or increase our existing parcel tax. 

• Providing high quality programs in science, technology, engineering, and math

• Attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers and instructional support staff

• Providing high quality reading and writing programs

• Maintaining manageable class sizes

• Providing academic intervention for students who need additional support

• Providing high quality programs in music, visual, and performing arts

• Continuing funding for counselors and mental health support  

The level of school funding provided by the state of California is one of the lowest in the nation. We need local funding to fill in the gap. Fortunately, local voters have generously supported USD with school funding measures, voting to pass Measure B, a parcel tax, in 2015 to protect and maintain the local quality of education. Measure B for Union School District is a parcel tax of $96 per-parcel/year which supports grades TK-8 and maintains high-quality educational programs, including math, reading, and writing, and hands-on science instruction; attracts and retains qualified and experienced teachers; and supports a well-rounded education. Measure B, approved for 10 years, will expire after the 2026 school year. Measure B cannot be extended without a new vote of Union School District voters.

Accordingly, we are exploring an ask of our community to renew Measure B, with a modest increase so that we can protect this critical local funding source and continue to maintain the high quality of education offered in Union School District schools. 

Without the renewal of Measure B, some existing local school funding, about $1.3 million dollars will disappear from USD school budgets. Measure B funds 8 teacher salaries. Our local TK-8 schools may have to potentially make cuts to academic programs and increase class sizes. USD depends on local revenue to supplement limited State funding. Renewing Measure B won’t address all funding needs, but it will help retain exceptional teachers and protect core programs.

Our school district makes every effort to use resources wisely. We have improved efficiencies and made cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. We have also conducted a full assessment of all of our local school instructional program needs—including the need to retain our best teachers and maintain core academics for children in grades TK-8. It is clear we need additional local revenue to fund our core priorities. Accordingly, we are exploring an ask of our community to renew Measure B, with a modest increase so that we can protect this critical local funding source and continue to maintain the high quality of education offered in Union School District schools. 

We strive for teaching and learning excellence in every educational setting. Exceptional teachers and instructional support staff, small class sizes, high-quality instructional programs, dedicated parent volunteers, and outstanding technology, and engineering programs are essential to student achievement and have prepared generations of local Union SD children to succeed in high school, college, and careers. A parcel tax will allow us to bridge the gap of our low state funding and maintain the high quality of education at all Union SD schools. 

We need this funding to ensure we're able to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and keep them from leaving for higher-paying districts. 

Measure R was the first step in a multi-year effort to upgrade aging, deteriorated Union TK-8 schools. Thanks to the generosity of our community, local children are now benefiting from improved school facilities. However, Measure R only addressed facilities improvement projects, not instructional funding. Without a parcel tax some existing instructional funding will expire and disappear from Union school budgets. Local schools will have to make cuts to academic programs and increase class sizes.  

The funding our school District receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of our annual General Fund Budget. Thus, Lottery funds alone are simply not enough to fund the programs that our schools and students need. 

Any potential parcel tax approved by voters will REQUIRE taxpayer protections. All funds raised would stay local to support Union SD instructional programs and cannot be taken by the State or spent on administrators' salaries. An independent citizen oversight committee and annual audits are required to ensure the School District uses the funds as promised.

Good schools are the foundation of any healthy, thriving community. Good schools create continual demand for housing, which stimulates the local economy and keeps property values high and neighborhoods strong. Investing in local schools is a wise investment in the quality of life for everyone in the community. 

No. All money raised by the measure will stay in the District to support our schools and students. It cannot be taken away by the State or be used for other purposes. 

Senior citizen homeowners 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption through a simple application process. We do not want this measure to become a burden to those living on a fixed income. To find out more about how to apply, please contact Kirsten Perez, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services by phone (408) 558-4202 or email parceltax@unionsd.org

NO decisions have been made yet. Union School District leaders are seeking YOUR INPUT first, before critical decisions are made. State funding alone is unable to provide USD with sufficient funds to maintain the district’s high quality education. Pending voter approval, the cost to local property owners would be $12.33 a month or $148 a year if a renewal and increase are considered due to the need for increased funds to provide for exceptional teachers, small class sizes, and challenging instructional programs at our local schools.

Yes, both commercial and residential property owners will be subject to the same flat rate per parcel.

NO decisions have been made yet. Union School District leaders are seeking YOUR INPUT first, before critical decisions are made. To qualify for the November 2024 primary election, the District would have to file its resolution calling for an election by no later than August 9, 2024. 

The locally elected Union School District Board of Trustees is the legal entity that must take action to call for an election. Taking such an action would then put the question to local voters to decide. Ultimately, Union SD REGISTERED VOTERS would have the final say when they vote for or against the measure. 

All registered voters within the Union School District would be eligible to vote on such a measure. 

A parcel tax is a flat assessment on each parcel of land. Unlike school bond measures, which can only be used to fund school facility improvements, parcel tax revenues can be used to fund programs and services. School districts use parcel tax revenues to preserve, restore or enhance instructional programs. A parcel tax measure requires approval by two-thirds (66.7%) of registered voters who vote on the parcel tax measure. A Proposition 39 school bond only required 55% to pass. No revenue generated by a local parcel tax can be taken away by the State. All parcel tax revenue stays local to benefit local Union schools and students.