School supporters gathered at the Mand residence in Piedmont last Wednesday night for a campaign fundraiser to support the parcel tax renewal — Measure H — on the upcoming June 2026 ballot. Ted Kinch and Rebeccah Pelle are leading the campaign team; the “Investing in Community” event drew donors and past school leadership.
PUSD funds 20% of its budget through the parcel tax. District voters have approved parcel taxes for Piedmont schools since 1985 to supplement the funding from the state. Parcel tax measures must receive 2/3 voter approval to pass.
The campaign says this evergreen tax is necessary to protect an essential part of school district funding. Measure H money will go toward attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers; funding advanced reading, writing, and language programs and advanced programs in science, technology, engineering and math; ensuring textbooks and instructional materials are up-to-date; funding advanced academic programs and essential college counseling; and supporting programs in music, visual and performing arts.
“The parcel tax makes Piedmont’s schools what they are today,” said Kinch. “It keeps our class sizes small, allows us to offer advanced curriculum in math, science, engineering, and the arts, and ensures that we can hire the best teachers in the state. Vote yes on H!”
Campaign materials say if the measure does not pass, the Piedmont Board of Education will have to cut about $12 million from the annual budget, which will force major teacher and staff layoffs and significant cuts to academic programs in all Piedmont schools.
Event host Ben Mand welcomes guests 
Investing in community: Campaign co-chair Ted Kinch makes the case for the parcel tax 
Trustee Lindsay Thomasson and campaign co-chair Rebeccah Pelle 
Campaign treasurer David Klein
