Measure A, originally approved in 1989, provides funds for the educational program in local schools in the Los Altos School District through a special parcel tax collected annually. Voters must approve authorization to spend parcel tax funds every four years as required by the Gann Appropriations Limit. Citizens 65 years and older can apply annually for an exemption from the tax. The tax is fully deductible from both federal and state income taxes.

After a thorough examination of district finances, the independent Citizens' Advisory Committee on Finance (CACF) found that---even though the district operates on a very lean budget----it cannot continue to offer its current level of educational program without making severe budget cuts. At the recommendation of the CACF, the Board of Trustees placed Measure A on the April 9 ballot to get voter approval to increase the parcel tax by $333 from the existing $264 per parcel per year to an amount not to exceed $597 per parcel per year.