Pasadena Schools Back Tax Measure to Protect Funding
The school board voted to endorse Proposition 3, a measure aiming to prevent a multi-million dollar local revenue loss.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Administration
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Should states make temporary income tax increases on high-income earners permanent to fund local schools?
The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education has voted 7-0 to endorse Proposition 3, a measure that would make permanent current state income tax rates for high earners. If passed, the initiative aims to protect annual funding for schools and community colleges by preventing the expiration of tax provisions scheduled for 2031.
Why it matters
The district is backing the measure to secure long-term revenue, estimating a potential annual budget loss of up to $34.5 million if current tax rates expire. This support reflects a broader effort to stabilize state-level funding streams that directly support local school operations.
The district currently receives $34,451,000 annually from the Education Protection Account, which relies on taxes applied to income above $371,000 for single filers or $742,000 for joint filers. The state analyst estimates the measure would maintain $5 billion to $15 billion in annual state revenue.
The players
Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education
The local governing body responsible for overseeing school district policy, budget management, and curriculum standards in Pasadena.
The details
The Education Protection Account collects revenue generated by higher state income tax rates on high-income earners. The Pasadena Unified School District calculates its annual operating budget using complex state formulas that fluctuate based on these tax collections and capital gains. By endorsing the measure, the district board seeks to ensure these funds remain a permanent fixture of state education financing rather than allowing the tax sunset to occur in 2031.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The Board of Education voted to endorse Proposition 3.
November 3, 2026: Voting on Proposition 3 concludes.
2031: Current high-income tax rates are scheduled to expire under existing law.
The Home Front
The district's position highlights the ongoing reliance on state-level tax structures to maintain local school funding stability. This move seeks to lock in the Education Protection Account to prevent long-term volatility in district budget planning.
Homeowners and families with children in the district should note that the election on November 3, 2026, will determine the future of this state tax measure. Residents interested in the district's fiscal health may track how these state-level revenue formulas influence future local school resource allocations.
The takeaway
The Pasadena school board is backing Proposition 3 to prevent a multimillion-dollar funding gap that could emerge in the coming years. Families should keep an eye on the November 3, 2026, election results to understand the long-term outlook for district revenue and school operations.
Further reading
For more on how local policies impact schools, read the latest updates in Pasadena Administration.
Live Poll
Should states make temporary income tax increases on high-income earners permanent to fund local schools?
