Marin Voters Face Critical School Tax Funding Decision

In Marin County, voters will start receiving ballots for the June 2 statewide primary on May 4. In-person voting and a network of drop boxes open May 5.

The county ballot mixes state-level partisan races with a bunch of local measures. These stretch from parks/south-marin/”>Fairfax to Sausalito, San Rafael to Bolinas, and include school district decisions that could shake up classrooms and facilities in communities from Mill Valley to Novato.

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After thirty years covering Marin elections, I’ve seen how these decisions ripple through daily life. Library services in San Rafael, park improvements in Muir Beach—these things matter.

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What Marin Voters Will See on the June Ballot

This election touches every part of Marin. There’s the governor’s race, Board of Supervisors contests in Districts 1 and 5, and a patchwork of parcel taxes, bonds, and city propositions.

Marin voters will face a cluster of school funding questions that could shape classroom programs for years. Meanwhile, districts all over the county are juggling enrollment trends and rising staffing costs.

The ballot isn’t just about schools. In Fairfax, Measure J would extend and increase the town’s community services tax. San Rafael voters will see Measure K, which would keep parcel funding going for city libraries.

Measures L and M focus on smaller, coastal and hillside communities. These are parcel taxes for Mesa Park improvements in Bolinas and firehouse and equipment upgrades for the Muir Beach Community Services District. Local items sit next to state races and countywide issues, so voters really need to read each proposition carefully.

School Tax Measures: Kentfield, Larkspur-Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross Valley and Sausalito Marin City

Six districts around Marin want voters to approve parcel taxes to keep classroom programs going, even as enrollment and staffing costs keep shifting. Larkspur-Corte Madera and Sausalito Marin City are also floating bonds with bigger price tags for facility needs.

Here’s a quick, district-by-district snapshot to help Marin readers from Fairfax to Sausalito keep track of the proposals:

Kentfield School District — Parcel tax proposal to fund classroom programs and related supports. Kentfield’s measure is part of a bigger trend across Marin, where districts push for stable funding for teaching and student services.

Larkspur-Corte Madera School District — Measure D asks for $44 million in bonds to repair and modernize elementary and middle school facilities. This includes roofs, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, classrooms, labs, and drainage. It’s a long-term investment in aging infrastructure in one of Marin’s busier coastal corridors.

Mill Valley School District — Parcel tax to preserve and expand classroom programs as enrollment shifts. Mill Valley families will probably want details on how funds get prioritized for staffing, materials, and after-school supports.

Novato Unified School District — Parcel tax aimed at maintaining and improving classroom programs in a district balancing new housing and resource demands. Novato’s measure highlights the need for stable funding across Marin’s broader landscape.

Ross Valley School District — Parcel tax to support classroom programs, especially as staffing costs climb. The district is emphasizing student opportunities in a compact—but busy—corridor between Larkspur and San Rafael.

Sausalito Marin City School District — Measure I seeks $12.5 million in bonds to repair playfields and recreation facilities near the Marin City office. This bond is about facility upgrades that impact daily life for families and youth in a spot that’s key to Marin’s diversity and regional recreation.

Many Marin districts are leaning on parcel taxes to keep core programs afloat as state funding formulas change. These funding structures echo concerns about how money flows to schools in a shifting fiscal landscape—especially in places like Kentfield, Corte Madera, and their neighboring towns.

Why These Measures Matter—and How to Decide

Parcel taxes and bonds help keep local services running, even when state support changes. They’re not perfect, but they’re often the best tool available.

If you’re voting in Fairfax, San Anselmo, or anywhere in Marin, you should really read the Voter Information Guide before you decide. The guide breaks down tax details, sunset dates, oversight rules, and exactly where the money’s supposed to go.

That stuff matters, especially when you think about how long these projects and taxes can last. Whether you’re out on Bolinas’ mesas or up in Muir Beach’s hills, it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for.

Think about what your town actually needs. Maybe it’s library programs in San Rafael, new parks by Sausalito, or better classrooms in Mill Valley.

How do these measures fit with what matters most to you and your neighbors? Ballots arrive May 4, and you can use drop boxes or vote in person starting May 5.

If you live anywhere from Corte Madera to Fairfax, your choice on June 2 will affect local services and schools for a long time. Take a minute to compare the financial impacts and vote for what feels right for your community.

Here is the source article for this story: Dick Spotswood: Marin election puts school tax needs in the spotlight

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Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.