Beaumont Unified School District

Message to Residents of the City of Beaumont Ahead of the Upcoming Elections in 2026.

Residents should look carefully at how Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is being discussed in relation to a future bond measure. What is being framed as an educational necessity is, in reality, a policy choice tied to taxation, not a state mandate.

TK is not required by the State of California. Framing full-day TK as essential to the local economy creates a false dilemma suggesting that without it, families will face catastrophic financial harm. This claim ignores the broader economic reality.

A bond measure tied to property values is a tax on homeowners. Measure E is a recent reminder: a $148 million bond would have cost Beaumont residents over $310 million over its lifetime. That loss of household spending power affects every resident, not just a small subset of families. Reduced disposable income means fewer dollars circulating in our local economy.
It is not the responsibility of all Beaumont residents to subsidize child care for a limited population of families—especially through a 30-year tax obligation tied to home ownership.

If district leadership truly believes early education outcomes are the priority, proven strategies such as class size reduction in grades K–3 should be addressed. Decades of research show smaller class sizes improve literacy, student engagement, and social-emotional development. Yet Beaumont Unified has made no meaningful effort in this area. That contradiction weakens the argument for expanding TK.

Other districts, including San Bernardino Unified, have successfully operated half-day AM/PM Kindergarten programs for years without causing irreparable harm to families or the community, even in lower socioeconomic areas.

Residents should also question administrative priorities. Before asking voters for higher taxes, district leadership should consider reducing administrative compensation and reallocating existing resources.
This election is not about whether children deserve support, it is about who pays, for how long, and at what cost. Voters deserve honesty, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. A bond measure is a tax, and residents should vote with a full understanding of its long-term impact on their homes, finances, and community.

Remember a bond measure is a TAX and subsidized child care could be labeled as socialism. Why should the residents of The City of Beaumont have to pay for child care for a small population of the residents?