Los Altos’ Measure GG

In 2011, the Los Altos School District community narrowly approved Measure E, a six-year $193 per year parcel tax designed to maintain the high quality of its education system with classroom programs like science, technology, engineering and math. Measure E was also touted as crucial in order to continue to recruit high quality teachers. Now, with the life of Measure E coming to an end in June 2017, the LASD Board of Trustees have initiated Measure GG on the November 2016 ballot that would not only extend the parcel tax 8 years but also increase the per-parcel tax to $223 per year. As with Measure E in 2011, opponents to Measure GG argue that the Los Altos School District already has a vehicle to raise funds for the same purpose with the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF). LAEF has pledged to raise $3.7 million during the 2016-2017 school year, up from $3.5 million raised for the 2015-2016 school year. These are donations from parents of children attending the schools. All residents support public education, but new taxes are always a bone of contention.

In the event that Measure GG is passed, senior property owners aged 65 years or older may be eligible for an exemption from the parcel tax. To apply for the exemption, an application must be submitted to the Los Altos School District office located at 201 Covington Road in Los Altos.

To review the arguments for and against the 2011 Measure E (similar to the arguments for and against the 2016 Measure GG), check the following link:

http://www.smartvoter.org/2011/05/03/ca/scl/meas/E/