Measure B1 Parcel Tax

Measure B1 Ballot Language

How does voter-approved parcel tax funding support quality academics in our schools?

Since 2001, our community has supported local students through voter-approved parcel tax
funding, which has retained excellent teachers and protected core academic, athletic, and arts
programs in Alameda schools. Currently Measure A provides $12 million to AUSD. That funding will
sunset at the end of the 2017-18 school year.
In order to keep these core academic programs in place, AUSD’s Board of Education placed a
renewal measure on the November 2016 ballot. The new measure, which Alameda voters approved
by 74%, essentially extends the expiring parcel tax funding, without increasing the current rate. The
measure will continue to provide roughly $12 million annually in locally controlled funding that
cannot be taken away by the state.
Specifically, what will the renewed local funding support?
Measure B1 allows our District to continue to:
• Attract and retain excellent teachers
• Maintain core academic programs, like reading, math, history, and science
• Protect programs that prepare students for 21st-century jobs and careers
• Preserve art, music, and performing arts programs
• Keep struggling students on the right track
Does Measure B1 maintain the same fiscal accountability protections as Measure A?
Yes. Funding from this measure is subject to the same fiscal accountability protections already
included in our current parcel tax measure, including:
• All funding from this measure stays local and can only be spent in Alameda schools
• The measure will expire in seven years and cannot be renewed without voter approval
Will the Measure A Oversight Committee continue to oversee these funds?
Yes. Funding from Measure B1 will continue to be overseen by an 11-member Oversight
Committee, which is appointed by the Board of Education. The Measure A Oversight Committee has
consistently confirmed that all funds have been spent according to voter-approved educational
priorities and would continue to provide at least three reports to the community every year. To 

In February 2017, three plaintiffs who have previously sued AUSD over its parcel taxes filed a lawsuit alleging that Measure B1 is illegal. Details about that lawsuit are included in our February 7, 2017 press release. The bench trial for this matter occurred on September 27. The judge issued a tentative ruling in AUSD's favor on October 30, 2017; the stipulated judgment was issued in the spring of 2018. You can read about that final judgment in this press release from May 4, 2018.

Under the terms of Measure B1, the Board of Education can change the percentage of revenue allocated to the 11 categories if there are "changed funding circumstances." So far, the Board has approved changes for two circumstances: changes in the state funding for Adult Education and changes in the amount of LCFF supplemental revenue that AUSD receives. Details of both changes are included in the May 22, 2018 "Resolution Declaring Changed Funding Conditions and Reallocating Measure B1 Parcel Tax Revenue Among Programs Previously Authorized by Voters."