Measure ES
City of Santa Monica · Los Angeles County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
MEASURE ES: Shall a measure imposing a City of Santa Monica collected parcel tax of $495 per taxable parcel, adjusted annually for inflation, exempting qualifying seniors, affordable housing, non- profits, religious organizations, and schools, providing continual funding for Santa Mon ica’s public schools, including retaining teachers, assisting disadvantaged students, supporting art, music, science, math, and early childhood education, keeping school facilities clean and safe for student and community use, generating an estimated $12,000,000 annually until repealed by voters, with oversight requirements, be adopted?
In plain language
Measure ES is a Santa Monica school funding measure. A YES vote creates a parcel tax of $495 per taxable parcel, adjusted each year for inflation. The money would help fund public schools by retaining teachers and helping disadvantaged students. It would support art, music, science, and math programs. It would also help keep school buildings clean and safe. Seniors, affordable housing, nonprofits, religious groups, and schools would be exempt. The tax would raise about $12,000,000 a year until voters repeal it. Spending oversight would be required. A NO vote means this parcel tax is not created.
Fiscal impact
The parcel tax is $495 per taxable parcel. It adjusts each year for inflation. It would raise about $12,000,000 each year. It lasts until voters repeal it.
Impartial analysis
This citizen initiative would add Chapter 2.74 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code and impose an annual $495 special tax on each parcel of taxable real property in the City of Santa Monica (“City”). The tax would rise annually with inflation under the specified Consumer Price Index and would not expire. If adopted, the measure would require the City to provide all tax revenue from the measure to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (“SMMUSD”) or any successor Santa Monica school district serving City students. The measure identifies the Los Angeles County Assessor, or another lawfully designated entity, as the “Tax Collector.” Unpaid parcel taxes are subject to penalties, fees, and interest and constitute a lien on the parcel. As a special tax, the revenue may be used only for purposes stated in the measure. Permitted uses include retaining teachers; assisting disadvantaged students; supporting art, music, science, math, and early childhood programs; maintaining existing facilities; and providing after-hours community access to school facilities. Revenue may not be used for administrator salaries, land acquisition, or capital improvements such as new buildings. The tax is intended to replace City funding under the Master Facilities Use Agreement, which expires June 30, 2027. Revenue may not replace or be credited against City funding provided to SMMUSD under other agreements or prior voter-approved measures. The tax is estimated to raise $12,000,000 annually for educational purposes. Property already exempt from property tax would remain exempt. The measure also exempts: (1) a principal residence owned and occupied by a person age 65 or older; (2) property owned by a nonprofit organization with federal tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3); (3) qualifying 100-percent affordable housing developments; and (4) property owned by a religious organization or school that is exempt from property tax. The City’s Finance Director would establish exemption application procedures. Within 90 days after the measure takes effect, the City must request that SMMUSD establish an oversight structure, which may be its existing Financial Oversight Committee. If SMMUSD does not establish oversight by the first July 1 after the effective date, the City must establish an oversight committee. SMMUSD must obtain annual independent performance audits. The City’s Finance Department would administer the tax and exemptions. Residents may sue to enforce the City’s obligations under the measure. A prevailing plaintiff would be entitled to costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. The measure requires the City to defend it against legal challenge and to indemnify the proponents for reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in defending the measure. The measure would take effect on the earliest legally permissible date, with collection beginning the first July 1 after voter approval. It could be amended or repealed only by majority voter approval. The measure was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters. A “yes” vote favors adoption; a “no” vote opposes adoption. A majority of votes cast on the measure is required for passage. Heidi von Tongeln City Attorney
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Great public schools are the foundation of our democracy. Our exceptional public schools benefit the entire community—enhancing our quality of life, supporting strong property values, and preparing the next generation for success. Today, thanks to outstanding teachers and staff, dedicated, hardworking students, and decades of community support, our local public schools rank among the nation's best. But that excellence is in jeopardy. The City of Santa Monica’s unprecedented fiscal distress has put $12 million in annual City funding for our public schools at risk. Without a stable, locally controlled funding source, our schools face the loss of teachers and essential educational programs. That's why thousands of Santa Monica voters signed petitions to place Measure ES on the ballot. Measure ES replaces uncertain City funding, scheduled to expire next year, with a permanent and stable local funding source that will protect educational excellence for future generations. Vote YES on Measure ES to: Prevent the loss of up to 73 teachers Preserve exceptional math, science and humanities instruction while protecting our nationally recognized music and arts programs Protect critical programs for early childhood education and disadvantaged students Maintain the educational excellence that helps keep Santa Monica a great place to live By law, every dollar raised by Measure __ stays in the classrooms of our local public schools: Not one cent can be taken by the State or federal government Funds cannot be used for administrator salaries, facility repairs and improvements, or new construction An independent citizens' oversight committee will ensure that all funds are spent exactly as promised Please join parents, teachers, business leaders, seniors and other community stakeholders by voting YES on Measure ES for EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE in our local public schools—for our children’s futures! — Ben Allen, State Senator; Sarah Braff, President Emeritus, SM-Malibu Classroom Teachers Assn; Addie Van Gessel, Board Chair, SM Chamber of Commerce; Jayanthi Daniel, Legislation Chair, 2026-2027, SM-Malibu Council of PTAs; Ted Winterer, Member, Community for Excellent Public Schools Action Fund
REBUTTAL to Argument in Favor of Measure ES We agree that exceptional public schools enhance our quality of life, support property values, and prepare the next generation for success. Support for our schools is not the issue. Voting NO on this tax will not hurt our schools. This new tax will not increase school funding. It’s a Santa Monica City tax disguised as a school tax with no City spending restrictions. Malibu schools benefit from this tax without Malibu residents paying. You – Santa Monica renters and property owners - will now pay the City’s $12 million commitment to the School District. This agreement provides after-school community access and City programming, including the daycare program, at elementary and middle school fields and playgrounds. If the agreement ends, there is no guarantee that community access and City programming will continue. There are no restrictions on how the City can use the freed-up $12 million. It can be spent on anything, including a Rose Parade float. Proponents claim that City funding is unstable, yet the City provided this funding for decades. There’s a simple solution – the City should continue its school partnership with another long-term Joint Use Agreement. Despite declaring fiscal distress last year, the City announced a $9 million surplus. The District averaged a $14 million surplus over the last 5 years and has $84 million in reserves. Threats of cuts to teachers and programs are fearmongering. There is no need for this tax. Vote NO on Measure ES — Tricia Crane, Chair, Northeast Neighbors; Elizabeth Van Denburgh, Chair, Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition; Marc Verville; Karen Melick; Lori Brown
Argument against
We support excellent schools in Santa Monica. We are against this measure because it is deceptive. Schools don’t get more money out of this, the City does. This $495 a year parcel tax is a back-door City tax increase. Santa Monica’s excellent public schools are one of our community’s greatest assets. For decades, the City has funded the Master Facilities Use Agreement (MFUA) providing community access to Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) recreational facilities and playgrounds after-school and weekends. This measure shifts payment from the City to the people of Santa Monica – forever. Without the MFUA, it jeopardizes after-school programs and community access to SMMUSD facilities. Measure ES does not provide additional funding for SMMUSD. This tax is not needed. The City deceptively proposed cutting the MFUA payment after declaring “fiscal distress” to add $12 million to its budget of $525 million. This is a permanent solution to a temporary problem that has already gotten better. The City had a $9 million surplus last year. Housing is less affordable with this $495 a year parcel tax that increases each year, forever. This regressive tax puts a disproportionate burden on lower income residents, targets working families, and can be passed through to renters. The Water Garden pays the same as a condominium. SMMUSD funding is reliable and growing with large surpluses and reserves. Revenue increased 53% in 10 years to $225 million, including a new $10 million transfer tax, while enrollment decreased 23%. In the last five years, SMMUSD had an average annual surplus of $14 million and reserves of $84 million. Why would only teachers be at risk? Teachers are only 39% of SMMUSD’s 1,262 staff, which has remained largely unchanged while enrollment decreased. Vote NO on this new tax for the City. Vote NO on Measure ES — Tricia Crane, Chair, Northeast Neighbors; Elizabeth Van Denburgh, Chair, Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition; Marc Verville; Karen Melick; Lori Brown
Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure ES Don’t gamble with our children’s future: Vote YES on Measure ES. FACT: Opponents of Measure ES are misrepresenting the facts. FACT: The City of Santa Monica provides $12 million annually in supplemental funding so that our schools remain among California’s best. Today the City faces a serious financial crisis. FACT: As the City depletes its reserves to maintain essential services, this long-standing school funding is at risk. FACT: Measure ES provides the only permanent, reliable funding source to protect Santa Monica’s public schools. FACT: Without Measure ES, academic excellence, outstanding school arts and music programs, and the ability to attract and retain exceptional teachers will be jeopardized. FACT: State law guarantees and preserves community access to school district fields, playgrounds, and other school facilities. FACT: Thousands of Santa Monica voters signed petitions to place Measure ES on the ballot because they understand that excellent public schools are worth protecting. They strengthen our community and protect property values. FACT: Seniors and nonprofits are exempt from Measure ES. Homeowners will pay $1.36 per day. For renters, any allowable pass through will be miniscule. This is a small price to pay to preserve one of Santa Monica’s greatest assets and protect our children’s future in an ever-changing world. FACT: Funds from Measure ES cannot be taken by the city, state or federal government. FACT: Measure ES is backed by a broad coalition of Santa Monica teachers, parents, homeowners, renters, business leaders, and community members. Protect our children, our teachers, and our excellent schools. Vote YES on Measure ES. Signers: — Ben Allen, State Senator; Sarah Braff, President Emeritus, SM-Malibu Classroom Teachers Assn; Addie Van Gessel, Board Chair, SM Chamber of Commerce; Jayanthi Daniel, Legislation Chair, SM-Malibu Council of PTAs; Ted Winterer, Member, Community for Excellent Public Schools Action Fund
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.