On November 2, 2004, voters approved a special Parcel Tax assessment of $85 per parcel for five years. Parcel Tax funds allow Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD) to restore and maintain current programs, reduce class sizes, enhance campus safety and recruit and retain qualified teachers. The tax expires after five years. The tax is assessed against each parcel of taxable land within CUHSD boundaries. A parcel is defined as any unit of land in the District that now receives a separate tax bill from the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office.

Exemptions

Exemptions from the $85 CUHSD Parcel Tax are available to Senior Citizens (65 years or older) who own and occupy, as a principal residence, a parcel and apply to the District for exemption. Every Senior Citizen who applies qualifies for the exemption, and the tax will automatically sunset in 2010.

To file for exemption from the parcel tax for next fiscal year

1. Apply in person at our Business Services office:
   
   Campbell Union High School District - Business Services
   3235 Union Avenue
   San Jose, CA 95124
   Map to District Office
   Hours: 9 am - 4 pm weekdays
   
   
2. Bring the following items:
   • Proof of birth (drivers license, birth certificate or medicare card)
   • Proof of residence (utility bill, DMV Identification Card, passport)
   • Proof of ownership (property tax bill, tax bill w/homeowner's exemption)
   
   
3. Complete your exemption application for next year by May 31 of the current year.

To renew your exemption for next year

The Business Office annually mails an Exemption Renewal form at the beginning of April to everyone who received an exemption in the prior year.

Sign and mail the form back to the Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD) before May 31.

If you have questions, contact Gail Long at (408) 371-0960 or glong@cuhsd.org.

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Measure M Update - Parcel Tax Litigation

In February 2005, Mr. Aaron Katz filed a lawsuit against the District and several other public agencies claiming that the parcel taxes or bonds imposed by the public agencies are unconstitutional. This lawsuit seeks to stop the District from collecting and using the funds approved by the voters through Measure M. The District is very pleased to report that on June 15, 2005, the Santa Clara County Superior Court granted the District's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Despite this overwhelming initial victory, Mr. Katz has filed a notice of appeal of the dismissal, meaning the case will be heard by the Court of Appeal. A motion to expedite the briefing in the Court of Appeal has been filed, which, if granted, would lead to a swifter resolution to this matter.

Until this matter is resolved, the District cannot use the funds that it collects from Measure M without risking having to repay the funds in the increasingly unlikely event that Mr. Katz prevails. Such a risk could put student programs in jeopardy for years to come as any repayment of the funds would have to come from the District's general fund, since the parcel tax funds would have already been spent. Despite this suit, the District has proceeded with spending these funds in alignment with the intent of the ballot measure.

The continued overwhelming support of the District by the students, parents, staff and the community as the District defends against this unfortunate lawsuit is greatly appreciated. We also appreciate the community's generosity in passing Measure M, and with you, the District eagerly awaits the resolution of this lawsuit.

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