Sacramento Voters to Decide on Special Education Tax

The November 2026 ballot includes a proposal for a $95 annual parcel tax to fund early intervention programs.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Special Education

Flat opaque gouache-painted illustration of simple wooden blocks and small books, evoking community-focused education support in Sacramento. — Sacramento voters will decide in November 2026 whether to approve Measure M, a $95 annual parcel tax to fund early intervention special education services. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local district raise property taxes to fund additional special education and intervention programs?

Sacramento City Unified School District has placed Measure M on the November 3, 2026, ballot for voter approval. If passed, the measure would authorize a $95-a-year parcel tax to generate $10 million in annual funding for local special education services.

Why it matters

The district aims to use this revenue for early intervention programs intended to prevent the need for more intensive and restrictive special education placements. This initiative follows a 2024 Sacramento County Grand Jury report that assigned the district an F for meeting the needs of students with disabilities.

Measure M is expected to raise $10 million annually to support services for students. Federal funding covers 13% of special education costs, falling significantly short of the 40% federal target coverage.

The players

Sacramento City Unified School District

This is the primary public school system serving students in Sacramento that is currently seeking new funding through a local parcel tax.

Sacramento County Grand Jury

This investigative body serves as a watchdog for local government agencies, including school districts, and published a critical 2024 performance report.

The details

The measure mandates that the district produce public reports and perform annual audits on all expenditures, though it does not establish an independent citizens' oversight committee. The district recently passed a resolution in July 2026 outlining these specific auditing requirements for the potential tax revenue.

2018-19 marked a general fund contribution of $73.6 million for special education.
A 2024 Sacramento County Grand Jury report assessed district services for students with disabilities.
The district expects a $172.3 million general fund contribution for the 2025-26 period.
A resolution regarding auditing requirements for Measure M was passed in July 2026.
Voters will cast their ballots on Measure M on November 3, 2026.

Culture Shift

This proposal reflects a growing shift toward local funding models to compensate for persistent shortfalls in federal support for students with disabilities. It parallels a broader trend of school districts attempting to meet federal service mandates through direct taxpayer contributions.

Property owners in the district would see an annual $95 tax levy added to their tax bills if the measure is approved by voters. Residents will have the opportunity to monitor the district's use of these funds through mandatory public reports and annual audits.

The takeaway

Voters are being asked to decide if an annual tax is the appropriate path to addressing the rising costs and identified service gaps in local education. Residents should review the specific auditing requirements to understand how the district intends to maintain accountability for these funds.