Ross Valley School District drafts $4.3M in budget cuts

Ross Valley School District officials have outlined a three-tier plan for $4.3 million in budget cuts over the next three years.

The district drafted the plan as it prepares to place a measure on the June 2 ballot to renew and increase the parcel tax. The current parcel tax expires in June 2028.

The plan, presented at a special board meeting Tuesday, calls for $170,000 in cuts in the 2026-27 fiscal year, $1.04 million in 2027-28 and $3.1 million in 2028-29.

The third year includes potential school closures, layoffs and preparation for a possible takeover by the state if the district does not develop additional revenue, said Tyler Graff, the superintendent.

Graff said the plan for spending reductions was required by the Marin County Office of Education after the district submitted the last version of its $30 million budget in December. The district consulted with the county office on setting up financial contingency plans.

Rachel Litwack, president of the board of trustees, said it welcomes public comments before a vote on Feb. 11 on whether to place the tax measure on the June ballot. Residents can comment at the meeting, by email or through a survey at the district website.

“We are humbly asking the district residents to tell us what size increase they think they can afford,” Graff said. “The increase to the current parcel tax is still up for debate.”

In a special election last May, a parcel tax renewal and increase using a per-square-foot formula failed to win the two-thirds majority needed to pass. The new tax measure seeks to retain the flat tax structure.

The measure in June would renew the tax at $742 per parcel annually and increase it between $440 and $600, Graff said. Community surveys last year were inconclusive, consultants said.

“The direction we were given was to come back with a parcel tax that mirrors our current one in structure,” Graff said. “A flat, per-parcel tax with a 3% inflation rate, for 10 years, with opt-outs for seniors 65 and older and those on SSI or SSDI — and community oversight.”

Teachers in the district accepted a recent contract settlement with no raises. Graff said the district would struggle to avoid a 10% rollback in pay for teachers down the road, using it only as a last resort.

“I do recognize that this is a significant ask,” said district social worker Autumn Arbree, one of several speakers at the meeting. “I think this is a call to action for our community.”

Pascal Sisich, a resident who said he has no children in the schools, said he is drowning financially from an onslaught of taxes, fee increases and bills. He does not believe he can afford to stay in the district indefinitely.

“I have 18 items on my tax bill,” he said.

Michelle Pelton, a district employee, said a state takeover would damage not only the students, staff and families, but erode the foundation of the community.

“We need to keep local control,” Pelton said. “We have to have neighborhood schools for our children.”

Graff said the 2026-27 cuts would include several stipends for teachers and staff hours at White Hill Middle School in Fairfax.

Graff said no layoffs would happen in the first year of the plan. However, the district’s $30 million budget is expected to drop from “positive” to “qualified” status by its adoption in June because reserves would go below the 3% state minimum in the third year of the three-year period.

If the tax measure fails in June, the district would begin planning for a second tier of cuts. They would include physical education in the elementary schools and a second elective at White Hill Middle School; two coordinator positions in special education and English language development; and one instructional coach. The district also would impose a three-day management furlough.

Without an influx of revenue, the district budget would drop to “negative” status by June 2027 because of negative reserves, Graff said. Negative status, if uncorrected, is the precursor to state receivership.

A third tier of reductions would include closing two of the district’s four elementary schools and reconfiguring grade assignments in the remaining schools, Graff said. Other cuts would include two school counselors and intervention programs. Kindergarten and transitional kindergarten would be cut to half-days.

By August 2028, the district would start the school year with only two elementary schools and a middle school and would ‘likely be in receivership,'” Graff said.