RICHMOND — Strapped for cash, the West Contra Costa Unified School District is preparing to pursue the renewal of a parcel tax that officials say is needed to maintain existing programming.

Measure T, first approved in 2004 by voters living within the boundaries of the district, is an annual parcel tax charging property owners 7.2 cents per square foot of building area. It has contributed almost $10 million to the district’s budget each year since it has been implemented.

Unlike bond revenues which can only go toward infrastructure improvements, parcel tax funds can go toward general expenses like salaries and programming.

Measure T dollars have supported after-school programming, library services, college and workforce readiness, campus safety and other areas, according to the district’s Measure T website.

With Measure T slated to expire in June 2027, the district now plans to spend about $50,000 to contract with a marketing and research firm to gauge the public’s support for renewing and extending the tax measure. Depending on survey results, the issue could go before voters in March, June or November of 2026.

“We have to figure out how to get out there as soon as possible,” said Board Vice President Demetrio Gonzalez Hoy during a meeting Wednesday. “I know it’s an investment and it’s going to cost us, but the reality is we cannot afford not to have the parcel tax in our budget. … It is absolutely necessary for our district, for our schools.”

The survey comes on the heels of a board of trustees decision to eliminate about 169 full-time positions from the district’s budget, cutting about $6 million.

Another $19 million of budget reductions were made ahead of the 2024-25 school year and $6 million more in cuts are expected to be made next school year to abide by a fiscal solvency plan the district entered into with the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

Don Gosney, chair of the district’s Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, said the district should have put the item on the ballot during the last presidential election in November 2024 when voter turnout is known to be higher.

Now, he said during the meeting Wednesday, “people feel taxed to death” and a serious campaign will need to be launched to get the measure approved by at least two-thirds of voters. Measure T has already been renewed three times – in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

Should Measure T not be renewed, trustees said additional programmatic cuts could occur in areas beyond the classroom, like after-school sports.

Gonzalez Hoy and Board President Leslie Reckler said renewing the measure may take several attempts, but it’s a mission the district is committed to given that no other funding could feasibly cover related costs.

“It’s absolutely critical that this measure passes,” Reckler said. “If it doesn’t pass, we will be looking at additional reductions because there is nothing anywhere to cover this over for any length of time.”