Board Approves $98 Parcel Tax Ballot Measure as District Faces $6.5M Deficit

The Jefferson Union High School District Governing Board confronted a stark fiscal reality June 2, voting unanimously to place a $98-per-parcel education tax on the November 2026 ballot while hearing that expenditures will cross the $100 million threshold next year—outpacing revenue by $6.5 million. The meeting also showcased the district's growing investment in in-house special education programs, a response to a statewide collapse in outside therapeutic placements.

• $98 parcel tax headed to November 2026 ballot to replace an expiring $58 levy, a linchpin of the district's multi-year budget

• Proposed budget projects a $6.5M deficit as expenditures top $100M and reserves fall below the board's own 10% target

• AFT Local 1481 contract ratified with 5% total compensation increase after 97.1% member approval — the largest cost driver in the budget

• Special education enrollment jumps from 470 to 515 students while non-public school closures force the district to expand in-house therapeutic programs

• Seven-goal LCAP advances to adoption with a new math pilot, media literacy for 9th graders, and a redesigned English learner course

• Teamsters 856 contract talks formally opened on salary and benefits, the next labor negotiation in the pipeline

A $6.5 Million Gap and a Parcel Tax to Close It

Why it matters: The proposed 2026-27 budget marks the first time JUHSD expenditures will exceed $100 million, and the gap between what the district takes in and what it spends is projected to widen to $6.5 million — the worst in a three-year outlook. The board's answer, at least in part, rests with voters.

Where things stand: Chief Business Officer Tina Van Rapphorst presented a budget showing $94.2 million in projected revenue, roughly 76% from the Local Control Funding Formula, against spending that pushes past the nine-figure mark. Current-year actuals already project a $3.7 million deficit. Reserves are expected to fall to 9.82% — below the board's 10% policy target — and slide further to 7.24% the following year.

"Next year the projection is to have a deficit of about 6.5 million and our expenditures cross the hundred million dollar mark," said Van Rapphorst.

As a "community-funded" district — meaning local property taxes generate more than the state's minimum guarantee — JUHSD does not receive the Governor's proposed 4.31% cost-of-living adjustment (a 2.87% statutory COLA plus a 1.44% "Super COLA"). Yet it must comply with any new mandates, including a proposed 14-week fully paid pregnancy disability leave.

"This enhanced COLA, the 4.31% COLA, is intended to help districts cover that cost. As a community-funded district, however, we will not receive that COLA and we will still need to comply with any new leave laws," Van Rapphorst explained.

The budget assumes passage of the new $98 parcel tax, 5% annual property tax growth, the ratified AFT agreement, and a $600,000 reduction in supplies and services for 2027-28. Van Rapport recommended forming a budget committee in the fall to identify cost savings before the structural deficit narrows in 2028-29.

The Parcel Tax Vote

The board unanimously approved Resolution 2025-2026 #19, placing a $98-per-parcel education tax on the November 2026 ballot to replace the current $58 parcel tax expiring in 2028. Clerk Andy Lie referenced earlier polling data showing voter support remained strong as long as the amount stayed below three digits. Joe Crump from Dale Scott's municipal finance office was present but received no questions.

Decisions: The resolution passed 5-0. No public comment was received during the hearing.

Prop 98 and Feeder District Impact

Clerk Lie used the budget hearing to press for continued advocacy against Prop 98 under-allocation, noting the outsized impact on the district's feeder systems.

"I think it is important for us to continue to advocate to make sure that the Prop 98 withholding does not occur because that does impact our feeder districts in particular because that amounts to $643 per kid. And I think for Pacifica School District, I think that number is around $2 million," said Clerk Lie.

What's next: The budget returns for formal adoption at the board's next meeting. A budget committee is expected to convene in the fall.

AFT Contract Ratified: 5% Raise Backed by 97% of Members

Why it matters: The tentative agreement with AFT Local 1481 is the single largest cost driver in the district's multi-year budget and the reason reserves will be drawn down below policy targets.

Where things stand: The agreement includes salary increases, higher health and welfare contributions, and language updates clarifying seniority for extended school year paraprofessional assignments. It was ratified by 97.1% of union members who voted.

Before approving the contract itself, the board voted to accept the AB 1200 public disclosure document, which confirmed the district can meet the agreement's projected costs for the current and two subsequent fiscal years — using reserves. The San Mateo County Office of Education reviewed and affirmed the disclosure.

Decisions: Both the AB 1200 disclosure and the tentative agreement passed unanimously, 5-0.

What's next: Teamsters 856 contract negotiations were formally opened at the same meeting, with both parties limiting their openers to salary and benefits. That negotiation will be the next test of the district's budget flexibility.

Special Education Grows as Outside Options Disappear

Why it matters: With certified non-public schools closing across the state — including Edgewood in San Francisco — JUHSD's in-house therapeutic programs are increasingly the only local option for students with emotional disabilities.

Where things stand: Co-Directors Lee Medvedoff and Grace Ventura presented a sweeping update on the special education department. IEP enrollment grew from 470 in spring 2024 to 515 students. The district rebranded its therapeutic classrooms as STEP programs — Support, Trust, Empowerment, Progress — operating at both Terra Nova and Westmore, each staffed with a teacher, paraprofessional, behavior technician (RBT), and licensed therapist. A new clinical supervisor oversees both campuses for consistency. Each site has capacity for roughly 13 students, or 26 total.

The most dramatic growth is in the pipeline. Medvedoff warned the adult transition program could see its eligible population swell from 39 to 80 within four years:

"Currently in our adult transition program, you saw the graduation this last week. That program currently has 39 students. If every single student in grades nine through 12 who's eligible for that program chooses to go, it would be 80 students within four years."

Ventura framed the urgency in terms of a shrinking placement landscape:

"Nationally and regionally, certified non-public school programs that provide therapeutic services are actually decreasing in availability right now. Edgewood in San Francisco just closed — one of our non-public schools."

Staff Retention and Recruitment

Staff retention hit approximately 95% across the department's 120 employees, with 100% retention among service providers. Medvedoff credited staff housing as a key factor:

"There have been many conversations I've had with staff that are considering our district. They recognize that it's an expensive area. They might have to relocate. It maybe doesn't pay quite as high as the district down the street, but they like us, they want to make it work. And the staff housing kind of takes them over the line."

Compliance Status

The district is no longer classified as disproportionate or significantly disproportionate — a meaningful improvement. It remains non-compliant on IEP timelines, though Medvedoff noted this is a widespread issue: "We're in good company with the timeline non-compliance. Last year, Sequoia, South City, San Mateo — they were all also in non-compliance for timelines."

Trustee LaSaundra Gutter asked about the behavior technician role and praised the staffing model's potential to prevent escalation. "It seems like I really like that formula because being at the juvenile hall, that person, just by having that behavior technician with the therapist, is like a bridge. You can solve so many problems right there before they could even escalate," she said.

Board President Sherrett Walker reflected on how deeply the board's work has immersed him in special education, sharing that a friend studying educational leadership was surprised by his knowledge: "She was like, wow, you know so much about special education. And I said, I think that has to do with the district's priorities and just the way I've been involved with the board and working with our special education directors."

LCAP Adds Math Pilot, Media Literacy, and Redesigned ELD Course

The basics: The Local Control and Accountability Plan is the state-required roadmap directing how districts spend supplemental and concentration grant funds for their highest-need students — English learners, foster youth, and low-income families. JUHSD's plan directs approximately $4.6 million toward these "unduplicated" student groups.

Why it matters: This is the final year of the current three-year LCAP cycle, meaning these revisions set the stage for the next planning round — and determine which programs get locked in and which get phased out.

Where things stand: Deputy Superintendent Karine Baka walked the board through revisions across all seven goals. Among the most significant changes:

• Illustrative Math pilot for Math 1, replacing traditional instruction with a more collaborative, project-based approach. Superintendent Toni Presta noted feeder schools already use the curriculum: "Elementary and middle schools have been doing this for a long time actually too. So I think it's going to be really good for our students when they come in ninth grade — it will feel very familiar to them."

• Media literacy and digital citizenship lessons for all 9th graders, delivered by the district librarian.

• Redesigned long-term English learner course using AVID-like strategies informed by student voice.

• A second BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) added under the special education goal.

• A peer buddy program for incoming 9th graders, praised by Trustee Gutter: "I really like the peer buddy program because that's also significant for a 9th grader. I just like the support for the 9th graders to get them off on a good foot."

• Summer school budget reduced due to expanded in-year credit recovery, while a 0.6 FTE TOSA was added for Thornton's project-based learning apprenticeship program.

• National Equity Project funding shifted from grants to Title I; Community Responsive Education funding reduced; ethnic studies sustained via a TOSA.

Clerk Lie praised the plan's structure: "It's always great seeing how we build the LCAP — that goals 1 and 2 are related to equity and mental wellness before we even get to academics. Because without those first two things, the rest doesn't matter."

Vice President Rosie Tejada echoed the sentiment: "We're very committed to equity, and it's not just a buzzword with us. It's who we are."

Decisions: The public hearing drew no comment. The LCAP returns for formal adoption at the next meeting.

CSBA Asks Board to Back Achievement-Gap Bills

During public comment, Pamela Farren, a Public Affairs and Community Engagement Representative for the California School Boards Association, urged the board to support the CSBA's SOS for Student Achievement Initiative. She described four bills that have passed the Assembly and are heading to the Senate, focused on closing equity and achievement gaps by increasing state accountability rather than adding workload to districts. Farren requested a letter of support and a board resolution.

Clerk Lie responded by proposing the resolution be added to the next meeting's agenda, and the board agreed.

Minor Items

• Consent agenda approved unanimously after removal of the board calendar item for separate action.

• Minutes from April 28, May 11, and May 12 approved unanimously.

• Resolution #17 (Education Protection Account): Prop 30 EPA funds directed to teacher salaries. Passed 5-0.

• Resolution #18 (year-end budget transfers): Allows the county superintendent to adjust budget lines for year-end expenditures. Passed 5-0.

• Adult school calendars for 2026-27 through 2029-30 approved unanimously.

• Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators approved, enabling hiring on waivers and intern credentials for hard-to-fill positions including special education and world languages. Passed 5-0.

• Board governance calendar amended to remove the Nov. 3 (Election Night) and Nov. 7 meetings, avoiding a conflict with the district's own parcel tax on the ballot. A site board meeting at Youth Point Health was added. Passed 5-0.

• Graduation celebrations dominated board and superintendent reports. Trustees attended ceremonies spanning Thornton, Terra Nova, Jefferson, Westmore, Oceana, Middle College, the Bridge Program, adult school, and the adult transition program. Vice President Tejada was visibly moved: "The best graduation is the adult transition program graduation. It is just so moving." President Walker singled out music director Mr. BT at Terra Nova for keeping the band energized through 15 rounds of Pomp and Circumstance.

• The meeting was adjourned in memory of John Seaman, a retired and substitute teacher who passed away April 15, 2026.