Board approves combined parcel tax measure, adopts 2026‑27 budget and multiple labor disclosures

San Marino Unified School District trustees on June 23 unanimously approved a series of formal actions including a measure to combine and renew two existing parcel taxes, adoption of the 2026‑27 budget and public disclosure of recent collective‑bargaining agreements.

The board voted 5‑0 to adopt Resolution No. 17 to place a combined parcel tax — merging Measures E and R at the current combined rate of $1,499 per parcel — on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Dr. Steven Choy told the board that the measure would keep existing taxpayer protections and exemptions (for property owners 65 and older and those receiving SSI/SSDI) and would begin July 1, 2027 if approved by voters. "The proposed measure would begin at the current combined rate of $1,499 per parcel with annual cost of living adjustments," he said. The formal request to the Los Angeles County Registrar‑Recorder and County Superintendent of Schools must be submitted by Aug. 7, 2026.

Why it matters: district officials said combining the two parcel taxes would simplify administration and the property tax bill for residents, preserve revenue used to support classroom programs, staffing and advanced academic opportunities, and reduce the frequency and cost of separate renewal campaigns.

Budget and reserves: the board also adopted the proposed 2026‑27 budget in a 5‑0 roll‑call vote. Staff projections presented by Dr. Choy show LCFF funding estimates largely consistent with prior presentations and a planned multi‑year approach that uses some carryover reserves through 2027‑28 with an expected return to surplus in 2028‑29. The budget retains the required 3% reserve and establishes committed reserves including an increased $2.0 million allocation for instructional materials and textbooks and $1.5 million for academic and program innovation.

Labor disclosures (AB1200): under AB1200 public‑disclosure requirements the board approved fiscal disclosures for three negotiated agreements. The staff reported the following salary provisions: for 2026‑27 a 4% ongoing salary schedule increase and a one‑time 5% off‑schedule payment for unit members; for 2027‑28 a 3% ongoing increase and a one‑time 3% payment. The disclosures cover the San Marino Teachers Association, CSEA Chapter 120, and the district’s management, administrative/confidential and unrepresented salary employees. The disclosures will be reviewed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education for compliance with reserve requirements.

Other approvals: the board approved the 2026‑27 LCAP, established updated committed funds (Resolution No. 15) to comply with the local reserve cap, adopted administrative rules setting a 200‑word limit for candidate statements in the November board election, certified authorized signatories for 2026‑27 (including update to Huntington Middle School principal and technology director designations) and confirmed appointments and tentative agreements (including Heather Jones as the district’s West San Gabriel Valley SULPA CAC representative and a tentative agreement with CSEA Chapter 120).

Votes at a glance: where roll call is recorded in the transcript, Mr. C. Joseph Chang, Mr. Sun, Miss Lamb, Mrs. Ryan and President Gil voted yes on the parcel tax resolution, the budget, the LCAP and the AB1200 disclosures. No formal motions failed or were tabled during the meeting.

What’s next: the parcel tax materials will be transmitted to Los Angeles County election officials by the Aug. 7 deadline; the AB1200 disclosures will be reviewed by the county office; the district will proceed with Measure M projects and budget implementation as approved by the board.