Sacramento Voters to Decide on Measure M Parcel Tax
The $95-a-year tax would fund special education and early intervention programs for Sacramento families.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Special Education
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Should your local district raise property taxes to fund additional special education and intervention programs?
Sacramento voters will decide on November 3, 2026, whether to approve Measure M, a $95-a-year parcel tax. If passed, the measure will generate approximately $10 million annually to fund special education and early intervention programs within the Sacramento City Unified School District.
Why it matters
The district aims to use these funds to address a significant funding gap, as the general fund contribution to special education has surged from $73.6 million in 2018-19 to $172.3 million for 2025-26. This measure is intended to support early interventions that could potentially prevent the need for more intensive, restrictive student placements.
Measure M proposes an annual $95 parcel tax to raise $10 million for special education, while federal funding currently covers only 13% of costs against a 40% federal target. The district is required to produce annual public reports on all expenditures.
The players
Sacramento City Unified School District
The local school district currently facing financial strain regarding the rising costs of special education services.
Sacramento County Grand Jury
An investigative body that issued a 2024 report critical of the district's effectiveness in serving students with disabilities.
The details
The proposed parcel tax is designed to shift the financial burden of early intervention services away from the district's unrestricted general fund. By identifying student needs earlier, the district intends to provide support before students require more expensive, restrictive services. While the measure mandates annual audits and public reports on spending, it does not include an independent citizens' oversight committee to monitor the process.
Timeline
2018-19: Unrestricted general fund contribution to special education was $73.6 million.
2024: Sacramento County Grand Jury published a report on SCUSD.
2025-26: Projected general fund contribution to special education is $172.3 million.
July 2026: District passed resolution regarding Measure M auditing requirements.
November 3, 2026: Election day for Measure M approval.
The Home Front
This parcel tax proposal follows a 2024 Sacramento County Grand Jury report that assigned the district an F for its service to students with disabilities. It highlights the growing pressure on local school budgets as general fund allocations for special education continue to rise sharply.
Sacramento property owners should review their ballot materials to understand the proposed $95-a-year levy. Families with students in the district can track the annual reports mandated by the measure to see how funds are allocated toward early intervention programs.
The takeaway
Measure M represents a significant attempt to stabilize special education funding through a dedicated $10 million annual revenue stream. Voters should review the district's fiscal reporting requirements and the 2024 Sacramento County Grand Jury findings ahead of the November 3, 2026 election.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives at Special Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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Should your local district raise property taxes to fund additional special education and intervention programs?
