Questions to Consider Before Voting on School Parcel Tax

Moraga voters are once again being asked to consider a new school parcel tax measure.

Like most Moraga residents, we value and strongly support our local schools. Excellent schools are one of the reasons people choose to live here, raise families here, and invest in this community. 

Moraga voters have repeatedly demonstrated that support through parcel taxes, bond measures, and other school-related funding initiatives over many years.

That history of support matters.

But it is also why this measure deserves careful scrutiny rather than automatic approval.

Why This Measure Feels Different

Just 18 months ago, voters approved approximately $50 million in new school bond debt for major facilities and campus improvements. Residents were told those investments were important, necessary, and part of securing the district’s future.

Now, before many residents have even fully absorbed the financial impact of that bond measure, voters are being asked to approve yet another tax (this time framed as necessary to maintain programs, educational quality, and operational stability).

Many residents are understandably struggling to reconcile those two messages.

The "Separate Funding Buckets" Explanation Isn't Resolving Concerns

Residents understand that bond measures and parcel taxes legally fund different things.

But many are still left wondering why the district pursued major facilities expansion and roughly $50 million in new capital investment without simultaneously presenting a clearer long-term operational funding plan.

A Larger Question About Long-Term Planning

For many voters, the standard “these are separate funding categories” explanation no longer fully resolves the concern. The broader question is whether the district demonstrated sufficient long-range financial planning and stewardship before returning to taxpayers so quickly for additional operational funding. That remains largely unanswered.

Growing Skepticism About Modern Tax Campaigns

At the same time, voters are increasingly aware of how carefully modern tax campaigns are designed. Polling, consultant-driven messaging, voter segmentation, and tested ballot language have become standard practice in local elections. While supporters may view this as effective campaign strategy, others see measures increasingly engineered around achieving the necessary vote threshold rather than fostering straightforward public discussion about priorities, tradeoffs, and long-term planning.

That contributes to growing public skepticism and fatigue.

Tax Fatigue Is Real

Many residents also feel the cumulative burden of overlapping parcel taxes, bond measures, assessments, and local obligations is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. While each measure may be presented individually, homeowners experience them collectively. For many families, the total financial impact is substantial.

The Senior Exemption Debate

The senior exemption component of this measure has become another significant point of discussion.

Historically, senior exemptions for parcel taxes often required intrusive financial qualification processes in which residents were effectively asked to demonstrate financial hardship. Under this measure, seniors may instead opt out simply by requesting an exemption.

Some residents view that as compassionate and appropriate; it's certainly preferable to the existing, intrusive methodology that dissuades people from applying and disqualifies most applicants anyway. 

Others, though, are uncomfortable with campaign messaging that effectively encourages certain voters to support a tax because they personally may never have to pay it, while the financial burden shifts increasingly onto a smaller group of property owners.

Supporting Schools and Asking Questions Are Not Mutually Exclusive

None of these concerns diminish the importance of our schools, teachers, or students. Moraga residents care deeply about education and have consistently shown a willingness to support it financially.

At the same time, it is reasonable to ask difficult questions about long-term financial planning, spending priorities, cumulative taxpayer burden, and the growing reliance on repeated parcel taxes to address ongoing operational needs.

Supporting our schools and scrutinizing tax measures are not mutually exclusive.