We are Californians – Let’s Make Our Schools Great Again!

You are probably like me—juggling work, the back to school adjustment period and new schedules, not to mention trying to keep up with all the news about education funding. At Hammer Montessori, we have to make tradeoffs between working copy machines, classroom supplies, crowded classrooms. 

That's why I proudly say “Yes on 38!” Prop 38 is the PTA-supported education initiative on the November 6, 2012 ballot, which will raise billions of dollars a year in guaranteed new funding that will be sent directly to every California public school on a per pupil basis.

Prop 38 offers five guarantees to parents, educators, students and all Californians:

1.       The Legislature cannot touch Prop 38 money, and it cannot use the new money to replace the funds schools currently receive.

2.       Prop 38 school funding must go to every school on a per pupil basis, and must be spent at the school.

3.       The money generated from Prop 38 cannot be spent to increase salaries or pensions of school personnel. Prop 38 prohibits spending more than 1% on administration.

4.       Prop 38 spending decisions will be made locally, following public input.

5.       And, with Prop 38 school districts will be accountable, for demonstrated improvement at eachschool, based on established annual educational improvement goals.

My favorite part of Prop 38 is the accountability on all levels—school boards are required to take input from parents, educators and the community at each school site before deciding how to spend the money. Prop 38 allocates funding where it is needed most, based on each school’s individual needs with the common goals ofimproving student academic performance, graduation rates and college readiness. Whether this means arts programs or smaller class sizes, counselors or PE classes, science labs or parent engagement programs and more, the opportunities are endless and we deserve to provide our children with everything they need to be successful in life.

Going further, school boards must set educational improvement goals for each school and publicly disclose how funding was spent at each school and whether outcomes were improved.

For the Campbell Union School District, Prop 38 will mean $18,385,440 in new money for the first four years over and above existing funding. I love the idea that I can have input on how my own school, (insert school) can use Prop 38 new funding and that the outcomes will be shared with me and my community! Use the benefits calculator here to find out how much money your school will receive.

Nobody likes paying new taxes, but with Prop 38 Californians will pay for this investment in our schools through a fair and balanced tax with the wealthiest paying the most because they can best afford it.  With Prop 38, a family earning $70,000 a year will pay approximately the equivalent of 70 cents a day and the majority of families earning under $50,000 will pay no additional taxes.

You and I both know we can do it.  After all, we are Californians.  We change what's not working. We think differently and that's why together we will win on November 6th. 

Tune into my blog for regular updates and sign up at www.prop38forlocalschools.org. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YesOn38, talk with your friends and neighbors about how we’re going to make California’s public schools great again and vote YES on Prop 38 on November 6th.