Measure Q is a school parcel tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot seeking voter authorization for Cambrian School District (CSD) funding to protect core academic programs, maintain manageable class sizes, and attract and retain highly qualified teachers. Measure Q requires two-thirds (66.7%) support to pass. A “YES” vote approves funding for the District’s plan; a “NO” vote rejects the plan.

CSD is committed to ensuring academic success for every student and maintaining highly qualified teachers, manageable class sizes, and quality academic programs. Like many districts across California, Cambrian is experiencing declining enrollment and rising costs. Because school funding is tied to student attendance, fewer students mean less revenue. After two years of study, the District’s Budget Advisory Committee identified $2.6 million in ongoing reductions needed to maintain fiscal solvency. The District has already reduced costs, including consolidating from six school sites to five, saving approximately $1 million annually. To address the remaining funding needs, the Governing Board voted to place Measure Q on the November 3, 2026 ballot for local voters to consider.

Measure Q Program Summary:

• ATTRACT AND RETAIN highly qualified teachers

• PROVIDE high-quality programs in math, science, engineering, and technology

• PROVIDE high-quality programs in reading, writing, and language arts

• MAINTAIN manageable class sizes

• PROVIDE high-quality programs in music, visual, and performing arts

• PROVIDE counseling and academic intervention for students who need additional support

If approved by voters, Measure Q would levy $148 per parcel per year—about $12.33 a month—for 8 years. A parcel tax is a flat amount charged to each parcel of land, not a rate charged against the assessed value of your property, so every parcel pays the same amount regardless of value. The rate would be adjusted annually for inflation. Senior citizen homeowners 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption. Measure Q is anticipated to generate approximately $1,000,000 annually in locally controlled funding for Cambrian schools.

“In order to protect the quality of education in our local elementary and middle schools; provide funding for core academic programs in math, science, engineering, technology, reading, writing and arts; attract and retain highly qualified teachers; and maintain manageable class sizes; shall Cambrian School District's measure be adopted, levying $148 per parcel for 8 years, its continuance subject to voter approval, with senior exemptions, annual inflation adjustments, and providing $1,000,000 annually in locally controlled funding that can't be taken by the State?”

Government budgets are limited. The current way that California public schools are funded, known as the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), allocates more funding to school districts that have high concentrations of studentswho are English language learners, low income, and/or foster youth. Additionally, California falls far below adequate levels for per-student spending, ranking 28th among all states in the nation. This, coupled with rising operating costs, simply does not provide the level of funding for instructional programs that our students, families, and community have come to expect and deserve. Today, approximately 73% of the District’s funding comes from the State, 14% from local sources, 2% from the federal government, and 11% from other sources.

The District has worked to use resources wisely and keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. For the past two years, the Budget Advisory Committee — made up of parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, and community members — has studied District finances and identified $2.6 million in ongoing reductions needed to maintain fiscal solvency. Earlier this year, the District made the difficult decision to close Sartorette Elementary School, consolidating from six school sites to five and saving approximately $1 million annually in overhead costs. Despite these savings, additional reductions are needed to address the District’s ongoing financial challenges.

Without additional local funding, the District faces deeper cuts that would impact our students’ daily experience. The Budget Advisory Committee has already identified the following areas for potential reduction:

• Music Instruction: Reductions in the number of programs offered.

• Library Services: Reductions in library staff and operating hours.

• Elementary Physical Education: Elimination of elementary physical education para-educator positions.

• Support Services: Potential cuts to academic and mental health services.

A parcel tax is a flat assessment on each parcel of land. Unlike school bond measures, which can only be used to fund school facility improvements, parcel tax revenues can be used to fund programs and services — teachers, class sizes, and instructional programs. School districts use parcel tax revenues to preserve, restore, or enhance instructional programs. A parcel tax measure requires approval by two-thirds (66.7%) of voters who cast a ballot on the measure, whereas a Proposition 39 school bond requires 55%. No revenue generated by a local parcel tax can be taken away by the State. All parcel tax revenue stays local to benefit local Cambrian schools and students.

Yes. Cambrian School District makes every effort to use taxpayer dollars in a prudent, responsible manner, and our schools have been sustained for decades by the willingness of local property owners to invest in them. Voters have periodically approved local parcel taxes that allow the District to attract and retain high quality teachers and support staff, maintain manageable class sizes, and provide academic programs the State does not adequately fund. Voters also approved Measure R in 2020, a school bond measure that funds facility and capital improvements at our school sites and is overseen by an Independent Bond Oversight Committee.

These measures fund different things. By law, school bond funds can only be spent on facilities — buildings, roofs, classrooms, and equipment. Bond dollars cannot pay a teacher's salary, reduce a class size, or keep a music or library program running. Measure Q would fund the instructional programs and staffing that bond dollars are legally prohibited from supporting.

Senior citizen resident homeowners 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption through a simple application process. Those with an existing exemption do not need to re-apply. We do not want this measure to become a burden to those living on a fixed income. To find out more about how to apply, please contact Beverly Merrel by phone at (408) 377-2103 or email merrelb@cambriansd.com.

Good schools are the foundation of any healthy, thriving community. Good schools help make our neighborhoods desirable places to live and support local property values. They also help attract families and contribute to the quality of life we all share.

Cambrian School District is committed to teaching and learning excellence in every classroom. Highly qualified teachers and instructional staff, manageable class sizes, and strong academic programs help prepare Cambrian students for success in high school, college, and careers. Competition for highly qualified teachers remains a challenge for school districts across the Bay Area. If approved by voters, Measure Q would provide locally controlled funding to attract and retain highly qualified teachers, maintain manageable class sizes, and support high-quality academic programs.

All five Cambrian neighborhood schools — Bagby Elementary, Fammatre Elementary, Farnham Elementary, Price Middle School, and Steindorf STEAM Magnet — would receive funding from Measure Q.

If approved by voters, Measure Q funds would first be collected in the 2027-28 fiscal year. The Board of Trustees would direct the funds to the highest-priority instructional needs identified by the community, and would report annually to the public on how the funds were spent.

Any parcel tax approved by voters REQUIRES taxpayer protections. All funds raised would stay local to support Cambrian School District instructional programs and teachers, and cannot be taken by the State or spent on administrators’ salaries, benefits, or pensions. An Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and mandatory annual independent audits are required to ensure the District uses the funds as promised, with regular public reports to the community.

No. All money raised by Measure Q would stay in the District to support our schools and students. It cannot be taken away by the State or used for any other purpose.

The funding our school district receives from the Lottery each year comprises less than 2% of our annual General Fund Budget. Lottery funds alone are simply not enough to fund the teachers, class sizes, and academic programs our schools and students need.

Yes. Both commercial and residential property owners would be subject to the same flat rate per parcel.

All registered voters within CSD boundaries are eligible to vote on Measure Q on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Measure Q requires two-thirds (66.7%) voter approval to pass.