News | Highlights from the January 11, 2012 School Board Meeting
by June Monach, Board Member > Click to read more…

Franchise Tax Board may begin challenging the tax deductibility of parcel taxes –

Update:  On April 13, 2012 the FTB reversed its position.  Its guidance for taxpayers webpage (limiting the real property tax deduction, generally, to ad velorem taxes) has been taken down and new guidance will be coming.  The FTB’s changed position may permit the deduction of Piedmont school parcel taxes, which average $3,000 per parcel.  Check with your tax advisor.  PCA Article coming soon.  See FTB Update.

Many California homeowners may not realize that many charges on their property tax bills are not tax deductible – – but the IRS and Franchise Tax Board have plans to educate them.  Starting in 2012, three lines may be added to California income tax returns asking homeowners for their parcel number, the amount of property taxes paid and the nondeductible amount. 

Many homeowners deduct their entire property tax payment as an itemized deduction on their federal tax return.  The deduction reduces state as well as federal taxes.  But many “extra” assessments and parcel taxes included on the property tax bill are not deductible.

While the IRS has not targeted this issue in the past because it mainly affects California taxpayers, the California Franchise Tax Board is on a mission to get homeowners to stop deducting the entire amount of their property tax payment and hopes to raise California tax revenues substantially as a result.

The City of Piedmont is considering the possibility of providing advisory information on which local parcel taxes are tax deductible and which are not. > Click to read more…

The PCA posed a series of  six questions to candidates for the Piedmont School Board in the upcoming election on February 7.  Following are School Board candidates’ responses to question #1:

The school parcel tax has increased at an annualized rate of 15% per year over the last 10 years and now represents 48% of the district’s operating budget.  A large disparity exists between the average school parcel tax for residents of Moraga (under $1,000 total K-12 assessments) versus Piedmont (averaging over $3,000).  Both are excellent school districts. How would you address this disparity?  Do you support further increases in the parcel tax?  Many school districts provide an exemption to residents 65 or older.  Do you think Piedmont residents 65 and older should be able to opt out of the tax? > Click to read more…

PCA posed a series of  six questions to candidates for the Piedmont School Board in the upcoming election on February 7.   Following are their responses to Question #3.

3.  How do you see the city and school district working together to solve problems during the next 4 years?  Please provide specific examples. > Click to read more…

PCA posed a series of  six questions to candidates for the Piedmont School Board in the upcoming election on February 7. Following are their entire responses to Question #4.

 Open Enrollment:  The Romero Bill has recently been enacted allowing out-of-district students to transfer to the Piedmont school district from low-performing schools.  Acceptance is automatic if capacity is available.  What criteria and prioritization for enrollment in the Piedmont Unified School District should be given to the following groups: children of District employees, children of City employees, grandchildren of residents, students from under-performing schools? > Click to read more…

PCA posed a series of  six questions to candidates for the Piedmont School Board in the upcoming election on February 7.  Following are their responses to Question #5.

Employee compensation:  Approximately 130 children of School District employees attend Piedmont Schools.  How is the privilege of enrolling employee children factored into the compensation packages of employees? > Click to read more…

PCA posed a series of  six questions to candidates for the Piedmont School Board in the upcoming election on February 7.   Following are their responses to Question #6.

What are the most significant issues facing PUSD over the next 2 to 5 years? > Click to read more…

The PCA posed a series of ten questions to candidates for the Piedmont School Board in the upcoming election on February 7.  Following are School Board candidates’ entire responses to question #2:

2.  How would you personally demonstrate leadership and initiative in addressing fiscal/budget issues if you are elected to the School Board, especially during the next 12 months? > Click to read more…

The movie “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”  will be shown on Monday, January 16th at 4:00 p.m. at the Grand Lake Theater. Proceeds will benefit the Associated Parent Clubs of Piedmont.  Tickets can be purchased online through the link below.  > Click to read more…

Highlights written by Board Member June Monach

Spotlight on Student Learning: 11 PHS Teachers Pursue National Board Certification –*
Supporting professional growth that improves instruction and student learning is a priority in our school district. Assistant Superintendent Randall Booker shined the spotlight on a group of PHS teachers who are currently participating in the National Board Certification process, a rigorous and collaborative process of reflecting on one’s classroom instructional practices within the context of national teaching standards. > Click to read more…