Orinda City Council unanimously backs Acalanes Union High School District Measure T parcel tax
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Summary
The Orinda City Council voted unanimously April 7 to adopt Resolution 19-25 expressing the city's support for Acalanes Union High School District’s Measure T, a proposed $130-per-year parcel tax for eight years to shore up local high school funding.
The Orinda City Council on April 7 adopted Resolution 19-25, formally expressing the city's support for the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) parcel tax measure T, a mailed special election item scheduled for May 6, 2025.
The vote came after a staff report summarizing the request from Measure T supporters and public comment in favor of the measure. Councilmembers voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
Measure T supporters and school advocates said the tax is meant to preserve programs and retain staff at AUHSD high schools. Liz Doust, Orinda co-chair for the Yes on Measure T campaign and a former AUHSD board member, told the council, "Measure T is about preserving programs and retaining staff. It is a partial tax of $130 per year for a period of 8 years with annual adjustments based on the Bay Area CPI not to exceed 3 percent, optional senior exemptions, annual audits, and annual reporting from a citizen's oversight committee." Doust also said AUHSD receives low base funding from the state's Local Control Funding Formula and that parcel taxes have helped maintain programs.
Councilmembers spoke in support. Councilmember Hoxie said, "I think it's imperative that we support our schools," citing funding shortfalls and program losses that could worsen enrollment at Miramonte High School. Councilmember Riley, citing personal experience as a parent, described Miramonte's teachers and programs as comparable to private schools and said the tax is a modest ask to preserve that quality. Vice Mayor Iverson, Councilmember Gee, and Mayor Marconi also voiced support, tying school quality to community vitality and property values.
The draft resolution and ballot language were included in the staff report and the city clerk confirmed the council had received written correspondence both supporting and opposing the item; the council heard one public speaker in favor and noted a written opposition from Nick Warnock in the late correspondence packet. The staff report also included a link to AUHSD’s parcel tax election information for council reference.
Resolution 19-25 passed on a unanimous vote with five ayes (Councilmember Gee; Councilmember Hoxie; Councilmember Riley; Vice Mayor Iverson; Mayor Marconi). The resolution is a public statement of support by the city; final adoption of Measure T is by AUHSD voters in the May election.
Why it matters: Orinda residents frequently cite schools as a reason for moving to the city. Local parcel taxes directly affect programming, staffing and local budgets for AUHSD schools, and a municipal expression of support signals alignment between city leaders and the school district.
Looking ahead: The council-approved resolution does not change voter requirements or ballot language; Measure T will appear on the AUHSD mail ballot on May 6, 2025. The city did not appropriate funding to the district; the council’s action was a public endorsement only.
