Los Altos School District

The LASD Business Services Department is responsible for the sound fiscal and operational management that supports high-quality education across the district. Our team oversees a wide range of essential services that ensure our schools function smoothly, efficiently, and in full compliance with state and federal regulations.

What We Do

Business Services manages the following core areas:

• Budget Development & Financial Planning
  Ensuring responsible stewardship of public funds through transparent budgeting and multi-year planning.

• Accounting & Payroll
  Processing accurate and timely payroll and financial transactions for all district employees and vendors.

• Purchasing & Contracts
  Facilitating fair and compliant procurement processes to support classroom instruction and district operations.

• Facilities & Bond Oversight
  Managing long-term facilities planning, capital improvements, and bond-funded projects aligned with our Facilities Master Plan.

• Risk Management & Safety
  Overseeing insurance, safety protocols, and emergency preparedness to maintain safe learning environments.

• Food Services Oversight
  Coordinating with nutrition partners to support the delivery of healthy meals to students across all campuses.

Our Commitment

The Business Services team is committed to operational excellence, financial transparency, and continuous improvement in support of thriving students, empowered educators, and engaged families. We work closely with school leaders, community partners, and the LASD Board of Trustees to ensure every dollar supports our mission of high-quality public education.

District Budget Highlights  

• ANNUAL BUDGET BOOK (complete document)
• 2025-26 FACTS at a GLANCE
• 2025-26 LASD BUDGET Executive Summary
• LCAP - Local Control and Accountability Plan
• LCAP Federal Addendum
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does our district’s funding compare to other districts'?

Comparative data on school district finances is available on the Ed-Data website.

How much of my tax dollar goes to Los Altos School District?

Your property tax dollar goes to pay for a number of services — city government, police and fire protection, roads and infrastructure upkeep, county government and services, libraries, parks, and, of course, schools. For the typical Los Altos resident 20 cents out of every tax dollar goes to the Los Altos School District.

Where does the state get the money it uses to fund our schools?

55% of the state budget (or $47 billion) goes to K-12 public schools. The state gets its money primarily from three major sources — sales tax revenues, income taxes, and bank and corporation taxes.

What is the Parcel Tax?
In 1989 district voters passed a ballot measure which allows the district to tax property owners a per parcel assessment to raise money for the schools. The original measure requested authorization for an assessment of $168 per parcel. That amount was increased in 1997 to $264 per parcel and increased again in 2002 to $597 per parcel.

For more information, visit the Parcel Tax information page. For more information about the senior exemption process, including what you will need to bring with your application, please Click here to access.

What is the modernization plan for LASD?

Phase 1 modernization of all district schools was completed between 2000 and 2008.  We still need to replace portable buildings with permanent ones and to reconstruct libraries, multi-purpose buildings, and administration buildings on some of our campuses. This work is planned for Phase 2 of our program. Funding Phase 2 will require a second bond measure.

What are School Impact Fees and How Do I Pay Them?

The School Board passed a resolution to collect school impact fees on new residential and commercial construction within the boundaries of the school district.  The fees are used only for construction and reconstruction of school facilities.  Your city (or county, if you live in an unincorporated area) is required to withhold a building permit until the school district has certified that the fee has been paid.  For additional information about School Impact Fees, contact Sandra Bush by phone:  650-947-1164 or email: sbush@lasdschools.org

The current fee is $3.44 per square foot of assessable space (residential) and $0.56 per square foot of assessable space (commercial).  As authorized by state law, the fee may change from time to time (usually every two years).

Filing a Claim

Any and all claims for money or damages against the district must be presented to and acted upon in accordance with Board of Trustees policy and administrative regulation. Compliance with district procedures is a prerequisite to any court action, unless the claim is governed by statutes or regulations which expressly free the claimant from the obligation to comply with this policy and the claims procedures set forth in the Government Code.

LASD Claim Form

Public Notices

2023-24 Education Protection Account - Expenditures through June 30, 2024

School District Integrated Pest Management Plan