The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) expressed their position on two statewide propositions that would be on this November’s ballot. The two resolutions that were approved on Sept. 9 involved Proposition 3 and 43.
A tax that existed since 2012 is on the ballot this November as Proposition 3. It asks if voters want to permanently extend a tax increase for high income earners. According to the FUSD resolution to support Proposition 3, about 90% of what is collected from the tax goes to K-12 public schools. About 11% goes to California community colleges. The income thresholds are adjusted every year based on inflation. If it doesn’t pass, the tax would expire in 2031.
FUSD said through a resolution that they’re opposing Proposition 43. The statewide ballot measure would increase the requirement for local tax initiatives to pass, from a simple majority to a two-thirds vote. The resolution said the proposition would limit a voter’s ability to raise revenues for local government services.
“Increasing the threshold for voter approval of these measures could make it substantially more difficult for communities to generate local resources for schools and other essential public services,” the FUSD resolution said.
FUSD school board members emphasized that they are just presenting the facts of the propositions through a resolution, not urging voters to vote a certain way.
“The official board action on pending political questions, such as these propositions, will inherently carry some risk of legal challenge,” FUSD school board member Larry Sweeney reminded the group. “You must make it clear that the board is not advocating for the public to vote for or against any ballot measure.”
