The parcel tax discussion is back. 

With the current parcel tax for Manhattan Beach schools set to expire in June 2024, the school district and residents are looking at an effort to pass a measure that would renew the existing $225-per-year tax - which currently brings about $2.5 million to the district annually.

A citizen-led effort to make a dramatic increase in the parcel tax over 12 years, known as Measure A, failed in 2022. 

This year, proponents are hoping that large-scale cooperation on the parcel tax effort will yield different results.

MBUSD has organized a "Superintendent's Parcel Tax Committee" that consists of current and former MBUSD parents, parents of children in private schools, city leadership, and a collection of both supporters and opponents of 2022's Measure A. 

Through research done by consultants hired by the school district, and through discussions on the committee, a consensus has begun to emerge that the most likely - and most palatable - option is a simple renewal of Measure MB, meaning a 6-year parcel tax of $225 per year, with no cost of living adjustment. 

"Last year Measure A didn’t necessarily follow the survey results; the survey results showed that a lesser amount would be palatable to our residents," said MBUSD Board President Cathey Graves at last week's school board meeting. "And kudos to those that spent all that time and effort to try to get us more of 'what we need' versus 'what the community will bear' - but we know that isn’t realistic."

Graves continued: "After Measure A, we had meetings with community members pro and con, and what we heard consistently was it was too much. Many people supported it but voted against it because it was too much."

Addressing Superintendent John Bowes, Graves added: "I appreciate you listening to [Measure A opponents] and incorporating them into this process, because that is what will drive us to success."

"We are a community that looks out for one another, and a significant reason for that is because our local children attend public schools locally, and as a result their parents are very involved," Barbara told the board. "It’s the sense of community here in Manhattan Beach that is of the most value to us. We need to renew the parcel tax to provide the necessary revenue to stay competitive, attract more local students, and keep our small town community intact."

Barbara added, "Many have been skeptical of even a renewal of our parcel tax. To successfully pass this parcel tax, we need to widen the circle like Dr. Bowes did and include those who felt disenfranchised from the district...To pass a parcel tax we need to come together as a community."

At its meeting, the school board heard a report from FM3 Research that surveyed 600 likely Manhattan Beach voters.

The survey found that voters generally have a positive feeling about Manhattan Beach schools.

Furthermore, the survey found that a parcel tax campaign could be successful with a strong and sustained effort that does not face organized opposition.

However, researchers discovered that any proposed tax rate increase beyond the $225 would likely fail to reach the two-thirds threshold required for passage.

The consultants therefore recommended putting a measure on the March 2024 ballot that would renew the parcel tax at the current $225 level, with no cost of living increase, for six years, while maintaining the current exemptions (for senior citizens and for those on disability).

The next step would be for the consultants to draft a parcel tax resolution for consideration by the school board, to be approved by December 8, 2023 for the March 5, 2024 election.

Once the measure is on the ballot, an independent committee made up of residents would need to take over and run the campaign (because the school district is not allowed to campaign).

It is set to expire on June 30, 2024.

In March 2023, the MBUSD school board approved a contract estimated at $91,000 to retain consultants TeamCivX for a feasibility assessment and ballot measure development for a potential future parcel tax measure.

"There’s so much uncertainty in the [state] budget," said MBUSD board member Jen Fenton at the time. "If we can have that stable local revenue stream and continue it - whether it’s for six years or in perpetuity - we’d be foolish not to invest the time and some of our resources into getting that done."