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The Dublin Unified School District is asking voters to approve a nine-year parcel tax increase and renewal that is expected to generate about $2.9 million annually.
Measure I, as it will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, would raise the existing $96 tax by 50%, to $144 per year beginning July 1, 2027. The tax would run through June 30, 2036, and the rate would be adjusted each year to account for inflation. That increase would be calculated by multiplying the prior year’s tax rate by the annualized increase in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Consumer Price Index, according to the ballot measure.
Measure I includes select exemptions for seniors and low-income individuals with disabilities. It requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
The Dublin school district would use the revenue to attract and retain quality teachers; prioritize class size reduction; support student wellness and academic intervention programs; maintain instructional materials, classroom technology and library collections; and provide enhanced programming for all students.
The revenue cannot be used for district administrators’ salaries and benefits.
If Measure I fails at the polls, the current $96 parcel tax, renewed by voters in 2019 as Measure E, would remain in effect until June 30, 2028.
The district’s parcel tax funding has not increased in 18 years despite increasing costs, according to the board resolution submitting Measure I to voters. The resolution passed 4-1, with Trustee Gabi Blackman in dissent.
To ensure funds are spent as planned, the district would create an independent citizens’ oversight committee and submit to annual audits and mandatory public disclosure.
No argument against Measure I was filed with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
One argument was submitted in favor of the measure, with signatories including Dublin Vice Mayor Kashef Qaadri and Tim Sbranti, former Dublin mayor and current board member of the Foundation for Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.
Supporters say that if Measure I does not pass, Dublin schools will lose $2 million annually on top of multi-million dollar cuts. Last school year, the board approved $6.6 million in budget reductions for 2026-27 school year.
“Without this locally controlled funding, classrooms will face larger class sizes, reduced academic programs and greater difficulty recruiting and retaining outstanding teachers,” the argument states.
The argument states that good public schools add value to the entire community.
“Quality schools prepare students to be future leaders, protect local property values, strengthen our community and keep Dublin a desirable place to live,” it says.
Departing Dublin school board President Kristin Speck told Pleasanton Weekly she supports Measure I, as well.
“Even though my children will graduate from Dublin schools in two and a half years, I’m voting yes on Measure I because I believe every Dublin student should have access to the same quality education and resources that benefited my children,” she said.
