How Can I Register My Child For School?

You must register your child at your neighborhood school. If you do not know which is your neighborhood school you may call the district office at 650-947-1150.

How Do I Get A Senior Exemption from the Parcel Tax?

To qualify for a senior exemption from the parcel tax, you must be the owner-occupant of the property in question and at least 65 years old. To apply for the exemption you must come to the school district office and complete an application form. You will need to bring proof of age and proof of residence – driver’s license, birth certificate, utility bill, etc. and your tax bill. If you are physically unable to come in person, you may have your spouse or a family member come on your behalf. If you need to make other arrangements, please call the district office at 650-947-1150.

To renew your exemption – and remember, the exemption is for one year only – you only need to return the exemption request form that is mailed to you annually in April – May. If you did not receive a form in the mail, please contact us at 650-947-1150.

What is the Parcel Tax?

The district parcel tax was originally approved by the voters in 1989 and has reauthorized every four years since. The current level of the tax is $597 per parcel. It is a fixed amount per parcel; it does not fluctuate with the value of the property.

The parcel tax raises over $7 million for the district. These funds help maintain low class sizes, allow us to have small neighborhood schools, and enable the district to run a high quality educational program (perhaps the best in the state).

What is the Bond Measure?

The bond measure was approved by the voters in November 1998. The amount of bonds authorized by this measure is $94.7 million. The district issued its first series of bonds in February 1999 for $40 million and its second series in 2001 for $46.7 million. Bond proceeds will be used to renovate and reconstruct all of the schools in the district, to reopen Covington School as an elementary school, and to eliminate the portable classrooms at our schools. The bond-financed construction program will take six years to complete. See our School Modernization web page.

What are School Impact Fees and How Do I Pay Them?

The School Board passed a resolution to collect school impact fees on new residential and commercial construction within the boundaries of the school district. The fees are used only for construction and reconstruction of school facilities. Your city (or county, if you live in an unincorporated area) is required to withhold a building permit until the school district has certified that the fee has been paid. For additional information about School Impact Fees, contact Sandra Bush by phone: 650-947-1164 or email: sbush@losaltos.k12.ca.us.

The current fee is $1.98 per square foot of assessable space (residential) and $0.31 per square foot of assessable space (commercial). As authorized by state law, the fee may change from time to time (usually every two years).