Elyse Faherty

Students, faculty, and staff at Tamalpais High School walk or drive past message boards reading “Vote Measure B” in front of Tam, but many of these people do not know what is on these boards, even though they pertain to each of their everyday lives. 

These boards display the plans for funds that the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) is asking for in the November election. Measure B is requesting $289 million in bonds to fund the district. According to the Marin County website, the TUHSD plans to use these funds to “complete high-priority repairs and upgrades at local high schools.”

In June 2022, the San Rafael City High School District received $216 million in bonds after Measure A passed with 68 percent approval. In the March 2024 election, TUHSD tried a similar measure, asking instead for $517 million. That measure needed 55 percent approval to pass, but only received 53.76 percent of the vote. The TUHSD plans to reduce the bond amount to garner the 1.24 percent still needed to pass Measure B.

If the measure passes, additional property taxes would be levied on Marin residents. In certain cases, seniors with fixed incomes can apply for exemption from the tax, but California state law prohibits those exemptions in this case.

Tam history teacher Jennifer Dolan teaches in Wood Hall, which was constructed in 1908.

“[This building needs] temperature control and air circulation. I think that’s the biggest problem. It gets so hot in these classrooms,” Dolan said. “[We have] a very old type of heating system, and until last week the heater has just been on in the library.” 

Some parents have also noticed these problems when they visit Tam. Candace Murphy, Tam mother and coach of the girls’ swim team, cited wheelchair accessibility and safety as her main concerns with the campus. 

“It’s really difficult to get around the campus if you are injured,” Murphy said. “The repairs have to be done to make things safe for the kids.” 

According to Dolan and Murphy,  the bonds are the only way to effectively fund the repairs that they believe Tam needs.

Former school teacher Karyn McNicoll, a 52-year Mill Valley resident, does not support the measure because seniors, like her, are unable to get exemptions from the tax. McNicoll said she supports school funding, and hopes that the district could find another way to get funds, possibly in the form of a measure that features a senior exemption. 

“I do get that it’s a hard pill to swallow…the amount that they have scaled it down accounts for the damage it might do to the pocketbook,” Murphy said.

According to the Marin County website, Tam needs updates to its heating and cooling systems, but concerns about how the school district will spend the money remain. In one of the oldest counties in the state according to Stanford University, a lack of a senior exemption presents an obstacle for many voters. The measure will be tested at the ballot box this November.