In special election, vote yes on RVSD Measure E

Ross Valley is incredibly fortunate to have outstanding schools that educate, nurture and prepare our kids for success in life. Despite being the lowest funded district in Marin, the Ross Valley School District ranks in the top 10% of districts in California. Three of our five schools won state and national academic accolades this year, largely due to the educators who support our children’s growth and achievement.

As elected members of the RVSD Board of Trustees, we know action is now needed to ensure preservation of outstanding programs and to retain our teachers.

The special election for Measure E is May 6 via mail-in ballot. This revised tax proposal replaces the expiring parcel tax. There is a shift to a calculation by building square footage, replacing the current flat rate. Smaller homes will see a tax decrease, while the average home (around 1,900 square feet) will pay $22 more per month — a modest amount.

Measure E would generate an additional $3 million per year for teacher salaries. A senior exemption is available. No money will go to administrators, facilities or consultants. All funds will go to teacher salaries, with annual third-party audits to ensure funds are spent as intended.

The district made strategic reductions, keeping cuts away from classrooms and reducing administrative staff to a bare minimum. Our teachers are some of the lowest paid in Marin. If this measure doesn’t pass now, we can’t afford teacher raises for two years and student programs will be cut.

RVSD projects an increase in enrollment; it would be a disaster to make cuts and lose exceptional teachers. Despite being underfunded, it consistently produces well-prepared students.

Our excellent schools contribute to a wonderful and vibrant community. These schools, the students who attend and their incredible teachers are absolutely worth the investment.

Please join us and vote yes on Measure E.

— Rachel Litwack and Chris Landles-Cobb, San Anselmo

In special election, vote no on RVSD Measure E

Measure E on the May 6 special election ballot for voters in Ross Valley is yet another tax proposal. Property owners who live in the Ross Valley School District are being asked to pay what I consider to be a greatly increased parcel tax. In 2010, 2012 and again in 2018, RVSD put tax measures on the ballot. Now the district is back asking for more.

The ballot wording describes it as a renewal while failing to clearly disclose what I think is a very large increase in revenue from taxpayers. Ballot wording doesn’t make clear that the old tax was a “simple” parcel tax with each property pays the same amount, but the new amount is calculated by an entirely different methodology from the present parcel tax.

As a result, some could see RVSD parcel taxes double. In fact, it appears that some bills will increase significantly more than double. Honestly, this seems an unwise time to join the Marin teacher-salary “arms race.” According to reports, some Bay Area school districts that committed to high salaries are now laying off teachers and staff.

I am concerned RVSD is trying to “pick its voters” by using a special election at considerable extra expense to the district. By choosing to put the tax measure on the ballot now, when fewer people cast ballots or are even aware there’s an election, the results could be skewed by interested parties friendly to the tax.

As a member of the Marin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers Board of Directors, I urge a no vote. RVSD should come back with a smaller tax and a better ballot-language disclosure on a 2026 statewide election ballot.

— Doug Kelly, Fairfax

We need to keep saying no to Trump, Vance, Musk

During these troubling times, let’s stand together every day in fierce opposition to what many consider to be horrific actions by President Donald Trump, his “special adviser” Elon Musk, Vice President JD Vance and others who are making decisions that negatively impact everything from trees to humans, water and even clouds.

Yes, I hate what they are doing. I hate their actions. However, I don’t “hate” them. I consider Vance, Trump and Musk to be pathetic, deeply wounded people. I suspect they are trying to cover their pain with power.

Let’s stand together and say no. Let’s defend our national parks, immigrants, healthy systems and schools. Let’s defend all that we love and not fall into hate.

— Trout Black, San Rafael