This e-mail went out to members on Friday, January 30. If you are not receiving these e-mails from MDEA, please let us know and give us your e-mail address so that we can include you in future communication.
Dear Members,
As you know, we still don’t have a settled State budget, and if the Governor’s proposed budget is passed as is, public education will be taking catastrophic cuts. His plan would reduce funding midyear for 2008-09 by 2.1 billion dollars. His plan would reduce funding in 2009-10 by 2.8 billion dollars, for an overall cumulative revenue limit deficit that will climb to over 16%.
We also are anticipating a significant increase in the number of layoff notices this year with the strong possibility that tens of thousands of May 15 layoff letters will be sent out by districts statewide. In past years, Mt. Diablo has had a lot of March 15, notifications go out, but relatively few actual layoffs. That may not be the case this year. MDEA will be holding informational meetings for our members who receive a layoff notices to inform them about the process and their right to a hearing.
There is a statewide campaign being developed to educate our members and to plan actions to publicize the devastating impact of the state budget on public schools and the students we serve. Attached are names and contact numbers of state legislators we need to lobby, and talking points on what to say. These legislators need to hear teachers’ stories of the effects these cuts would have on our students and our families. Please make some calls. You will also be receiving a hard copy of the contact information next week.
A lot of our members don’t believe there is a real crisis. There is! The solutions our legislators have used in the past, won’t work anymore. We have a revenue problem. The massive cuts to education are real. We need to act now; we have not faced a situation like this since the 70’s when Prop 13 was passed.
Parcel Tax in MDUSD
There is a committee looking into the possibility of putting a parcel tax on the special election ballot when the Governor calls one, possibly in June. MDEA’s Executive Board has already recommended that the Rep Assembly endorse a parcel tax, if one is brought forward.
Currently, polling is being done to help identify for which purposes, and in what amount, MDUSD's communities would support a parcel tax. After analyzing this data, a specific proposal will be prepared. This process requires completion by Feb 15; therefore, we will not be considering whether to endorse a parcel tax at the February Rep Assembly. MDEA doesn’t want to rush this issue until we know the specifics. We want all our members to fully understand the proposal, because it will require everyone’s hard work and support to pass a parcel tax.
MDEA will ensure that our members are fully informed of any new information on the parcel tax, as we receive it. Discussion of a parcel tax will be on the agenda for the February Rep Assembly. We will be asking our Reps to listen to any concerns or questions that come up from sites, and report out at our March R.A. MDEA has been highly involved and included in all aspects of the parcel tax process thus far, and that involvement will continue if the R.A. votes to endorse a parcel tax effort. Attend your site’s MDEA meeting next month to learn the latest.
Mt. Diablo has not had a parcel tax in many years but, in the current economic crisis, we will need one to preserve a quality education for our students.
Mike
7 comments:
In light of the way California Schools are presently funded (or should I say underfunded) I believe a parcel tax is a good idea. I live within the Mt.Diablo District and will actively work to pass a parcel tax. I hope most teachers and parents in the district will do the same. To those who are already working on a parcel tax proposal, thank you very much for your commitment to our children.
Jo Carson
Good luck with the parcel tax. It will never be passed. By the time this comes to vote (if it ever does), we'll be in a deeper recession and there's no way families will give up money (even if it's for education). California appears to be functionally insolvent. As in now! How far is the state from widespread inability to pay police officers, firemen, school districts,and how long does it take before widescale riots break out? This state is in serious trouble folks. Wake up! We better start thinking of other solutions... Any ideas?
We are the solutiion. Most of the people who live in California are reasonable, responsible people. I don't plan on rioting and I don't think you will, either, Barry. It does seem discouraging right now, especially if you read the Corporate Press and believe what you read. The Republicans are holding the state hostage, but Karen Bass will find a solution. President Obama's Stimulus Plan will help California and our schools to some extent. The road to recovery won't be easy, but perhaps we will all learn from this that some things are more important than money (like helping your neighbor and building community).
A parcel tax is a good idea because it will give us some local control. Republicans in Sacramento won't be able to threaten our children.
This is a resourceful, responsible community that values education. If we want to raise money for schools, we can and we will!
Anita, I love your energy, passion and idealism. You're right, I will not be out there rioting, but it only takes a few to get things out of control. I think you're right also that we all value education, but to what cost? The people of CA have already seen billions go into education and what do they get? A 46th ranking? That's horrible. I still stand by my prediction that a parcel tax will not be passed. School districts are going to have to be a bit more creative to remain solvent. More cuts, less school days, no summer school, maybe identifying illegal alien students and kicking them out (i've heard that will save money), asking the Bill Gates foundation for money...??? Any others?
We as a community need to take responsibility and act on our priorities. Yes, California has spent billions on education - and we have educated millions of students. We can't expect to provide a good education for only a few thousands dollars. We get what we pay for. And we can afford a good education for all of our students - every one of them! It will mean some sacrifices - but no one will be skipping meals to pay for this. People in our community spend a lot of money on luxury items when what they really want is a strong community with literate members. The idea of trying to make people so worried about money that they start to agree that some people are less important is . . . well, that kind of thinking has caused a lot of problems in the past. That is not who we are. Once more people realize that they are responsible for their community, they will work to ensure funding for quality education.
You said, "We as a community need to take responsibility and act on our priorities." What are the priorities? I'm happy that you're willing to sacrifice. But don't think everyone wants to. You and everyone else need to face reality. Trust in gov't and our education systems are at an all-time low. There's no way in this current environment (even with Obama) that families will give up even more of their money. We (MDEA) and Californians better start thinking of alternate solutions besides parcel taxes. People aren't spending on luxury items as they used to. The ATM from their home is depleted. It's all about survival now.
Barry, you wrote "I think you're right also that we all value education, but to what cost? The people of CA have already seen billions go into education and what do they get? A 46th ranking? That's horrible." I wanted to clarify that the 46th ranking is not in achievement, but in dollar amount spent/student. So, even though CA is spending billions ever year, 45 other states are spending more/student than we are.
I believe these are great discussions to have. It comes down to values. As a society (those who vote in the Mt. Diablo 'society') do we value the individual above the common 'good', or vice versa? Bottom line, the way our educational system is set up, the MDUSD will require emergency surgery to keep our students viable (i.e., literate, employable, college-bound, and in some cases, off the streets and out of jail). If the Mt. Diable Society does not see the 'good' in this (passing the parcel tax), then society will suffer.
On the positive, homeowners will still have that extra $10 to 15/month that was not paid out for the parcel tax. I know that at the end of the month I am sometimes in dire need of an additional $10. My daughter has become very used to mac & cheese the 4 days before pay day. :-)
It is for the voters to decide. Or, should I say, it's for those who vote to decide.
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