Frequently Asked Questions

Measure V is a local annual parcel tax measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot which would renew Measure B with a $52 increase, for a total of $148 per/parcel, for seven years. Measure V funding will be used to support students in grades TK-8 by maintaining high-quality educational programs, including math, reading, and writing, and hands-on science instruction, technology and engineering; attract and retain highly qualified teachers and instructional support staff; provide high quality programs in music, visual, and performing arts and more for a well-rounded education. Measure V requires 66.7% support to pass. All Union School District voters registered by October 21, 2024 will be eligible to participate in the election on Measure V.

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 5,300 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 the fact that the level of school funding provided by the state of California is one of the lowest in the nation, USD is the lowest funded district in Santa Clara County and the expiration of our existing community supported parcel tax, the District has determined it needs to renew and increase its existing parcel tax. We continue to need local funding to fill in the gap and to ensure we maintain our excellent school programs. Measure V is temporary, lasting only seven years. It won’t address all funding needs, but it will help retain exceptional teachers and protect core programs.

“To attract and retain highly qualified teachers and counselors at local elementary/middle schools; maintain manageable class sizes; and continue funding high quality programs in math, science, engineering, technology, music, and arts; shall Union Elementary School District’s measure replacing the expiring school parcel tax for seven years be adopted at $148 per parcel, generating approximately $2,000,000 in annual school funding that cannot be taken away by the State, with senior exemptions, independent citizen oversight, all money locally-controlled?”

• Provide high quality programs in science, technology, engineering, and math
• Attract and retaining highly qualified teachers and instructional support staff
• Provide high quality reading and writing programs
• Maintain manageable class sizes
• Provide academic intervention for students who need additional support
• Support high quality programs in music, visual, and performing arts
• Continue funding for counselors and mental health support

Due to the fact that the level of school funding provided by the state of California is one of the lowest in the nation, USD is the lowest funded district in Santa Clara County and the expiration of our existing community supported parcel tax, the District has determined it needs to renew and increase its existing parcel tax. 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. Measure V is the renewal of Measure B with a modest increase.

Without the renewal of the Measure B funding and increase through Measure V on the November 5th ballot, some existing local school funding, about 1.3 million dollars will disappear from USD school budgets. Our local TK-8 schools will have to 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.

USD makes every effort to use resources wisely. USD has 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, USD is asking of our community to consider renewing Measure B, with a modest increase so that we can continue this critical local funding source and maintain the high quality of education offered in Union School District schools.

USD strives 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 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. 

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

Thanks to the generosity of our community, local children are benefiting from improved school facilities. However, Measure R can ONLY be used for facilities improvement projects, not instructional funding. 

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. 

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. 

If approved by voters, Measure V 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.

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 Union School District by phone (408) 558-4202 or email parceltax@unionsd.org.

If approved by voters, the cost to local property owners would be $12.33 a month or $148 a year, per parcel, for 7 years to provide a stable, local source of funding for Union School District schools.

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

The locally elected Union School District Board of Trustees is the legal entity that has called for the Measure V election. Ultimately, Union School District REGISTERED VOTERS will have the final say whether or not to authorize levy of the parcel tax.

All registered voters as of October 21, 2024 within the Union School District would be eligible to vote on measure V.  

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.