The Funding Gap
California’s spending per student, per the federal 2021 report by the NCES, ranks thousands of dollars behind states like New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington.
What are the factors that create this funding gap and what is the impact?
How Public School Funding Works at Carlmont
- Carlmont High School is part of the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD).
- The district is classified as a basic aid or community-funded district.
- Unlike most California districts funded through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), basic aid districts rely primarily on local property taxes.
- Many Bay Area public high schools in the Peninsula and Silicon Valley are funded this way.
- Proposition 13 (1978) limits annual property tax increases in California to no more than 2%.
- This results in some properties being taxed well below current market values.
- The policy benefits homeowners on fixed incomes but reduces funding for property tax-dependent services such as public education.
- According to the June 2025 SUHSD 2025–26 budget proposal, property tax growth is projected at ~4.37%, below the historical 5%+ rate.
- This slower and inconsistent growth fails to cover the true cost of education in high-cost regions like the Bay Area.
MORE ENROLLMENT ≠ MORE FUNDING
Carlmont has almost 2,400 students in the 2025-26 school year, a slight uptick from last year. You might wonder if more students mean more funding.
However, in a basic aid district, revenue for education is tied to local property taxes, not enrollment numbers. As a result, districts with declining student numbers see per-student funding rise, while schools like Carlmont, with steady enrollment, remain flat even as the cost of education rises.
❤️ Strength of Carlmont
The good news is that Carlmont’s consistent, large enrollment reflects what draws families here: a strong school, dedicated teachers, and a community that values education. And with that size comes strength.
Carlmont offers a remarkable range and depth of academic courses, sports, visual and performing arts, and student-run clubs that give every Scot a chance to find their place and pursue their passions
Community investment through CAF
Carlmont’s success is no accident; it’s the result of a vibrant community that believes in investing in its students, year after year. That’s why every year, together with parents and local businesses, Carlmont Academic Foundation (CAF) works to ensure these opportunities continue for every Scot.