For months, the school board has been debating whether to put the parcel tax, which will expire in 2027, back on the ballot this June to extend it. Palo Alto Unified has benefited from the parcel tax since 2001. The current tax is set at $904.92 per parcel, generating approximately $16.5 million per year and is typically used by the district for staffing, compensation and other student-focused programs. The district's total budget for the 2025-26 year was $354 million, according to documents.
On Monday, the district presented a 2% raise for teachers next year, when the Palo Alto Educators' Association said they had requested 13%. But in a statement to the Daily Post, Austin said the 13% actually equates to an 28% increase, as the district factors in other benefits and compensations. Austin said the district's counter of 2% came from its analysis of what would be an appropriate cost of living increase.