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Harmony Union School District

Place Based Learning for a Lifetime of Growth

Measure M Parcel Tax

Measure M Information

Measure M

Harmony Union School District Parcel Tax

November 3rd, 2026 General Election Ballot

The Harmony Union School District Board of Trustees voted in spring of 2026 to place the Measure M parcel tax on the November 3rd general election ballot. The language of the measure as adopted is as follows:

“To maintain and enhance quality education programs by funding Harmony Union School District’s Garden Enrichment Program at Harmony and Salmon Creek School, a comprehensive farm-to-table interactive education program, as well as student mental health and academic intervention services, shall Harmony Union School District’s education parcel tax measure be adopted, at the rate of $75 per year (raising approximately $177,600 annually), for four years, with an exemption for those 65 years and older and all funds spent on local students?”

What are key facts about Measure M?

Measure M requires a Two-Thirds majority to pass.  

Measure M would be in place for 4 years.

Measure M is fixed at $75 per parcel per year.

Measure M provides an exemption option for parcel owners 65 years and older.

How will the funding be used?

Measure M funds will be used to support several key programs constrained by lack of sufficient funding, including the Garden Enrichment Program, Mental Health Services and Academic Intervention Services.  

  1. The Garden Enrichment Program is a farm to table program including a production farm and instructional garden managed by a garden coordinator and farmer.  Students take classes in the program which produces food used in the food service program. The food service program, in accordance with state law, provides high-quality fresh meals produced by scratch in our kitchen using food harvested from our farm/garden.
  2. Mental Health Services includes a school counselor, school psychologist, behaviorist and support staff to provide short term and ongoing supports for students. 
  3. Academic services include intervention teachers and paraeducator staff providing individually tailored instruction to support student proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Academic intervention services include reading groups, 1:1 tutoring, case management and assessment to identify and develop supports for students in need.

Why did the Board place Measure M on the ballot?

Since the pandemic, mental health and academic service needs for our children have increased significantly. Lost instructional time, and the impacts from the pandemic on mental health, has led to a more than doubling of special education costs and mental health case load compared to pre-pandemic levels. The cost of such special education services alone has grown from $550,000 in 2018-2019 to $1,200,000 in 2025-2026. These costs directly impact the general fund, causing cuts in other programs.

Initially, in the first years returning from COVID, Federal and State governments provided emergency funding to provide necesssary recovery supports for children. Unfortunately, this funding was discontinued in 2024, but the demand for services and supports persisted. HUSD responded by prioritizing essential programming, making targeted cuts in less essential areas, and using some reserve funds to soften impacts. Reserve funding is limited however, and cuts were eventually required, even in core areas.  

In spring 2025, the HUSD Board made reductions in music, mental health, and academic staff.  In spring of 2026, facing continued budget pressure, the Board made additional cuts of over $600,000. These cuts included the elimination of the school bus program, as well as further reductions in academic, enrichment, and mental health staffing. Though the reductions produced a balanced budget, the cuts are directly impacting essential services to students. Therefore, the board determined to place Measure M on the ballot to restore lost services and protect these services from future cuts

What Cuts to these Programs have been made to date?

Over the last 3 years, the Board has made over $300,000 in cuts to the three programs targeted by Measure M.  Measure M would raise approximately $177,000 to restore services in these areas.