Students First Coalition Santa Rosa
Our Schools. Our Choice. Our Future.
Help us keep Santa Rosa City Schools vibrant and thriving.
Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers and classroom staff.
The Crisis
Why We Are Here
Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) is facing a historic fiscal crisis. Years of declining enrollment and the end of one-time funding have left our district with a $20+ million budget gap.
Public education is a fundamental right, and every child in Santa Rosa deserves access to an excellent education. For too long, the financial destiny of Santa Rosa’s schools has been dictated by the volatility of state and federal budgets, leaving our classrooms vulnerable to cuts that we did not choose.
The Solution
Students First Coalition
The Students First Coalition is a citizen-led group of parents, teachers, and neighbors dedicated to saving our schools. We are pursuing a Citizen-Led Parcel Tax Initiative for the children, teachers and families of our district. We want the best opportunities for our students to learn and be supported in the classroom, and we aim to fund things like arts, sciences and technology, enrichment, teacher supports, and school safety- things that we feel our students and schools deserve.
Why a Citizen-Led Initiative?
Unlike a district-sponsored measure that requires a difficult two-thirds vote, a Citizen-Led Initiative reflects the direct will of the people and requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.
This funding stays 100% local. It cannot be taken by the State and can only be used for:
Quick Facts
Is this a Bond?
No. Bonds are for buildings. This is a Parcel Tax for people and programs.
Who oversees the money?
An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee will ensure every dollar is spent as promised. The annual budget for the schools is discussed in open public session, and any resident can attend those meetings and give input.
Is there a sunset?
Yes, our initiative is proposing a sunset, to be determined still on how many years it will be in place.