Measure C this weekend has earned two major endorsements. First, it earned the endorsement from the Davis Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating the continued commitment of the Davis business community to Davis Schools.
Then this morning it earned the endorsement of the Davis Enterprise, which continues its strong track record, at least on the editorial page, of supporting Davis schools.
In a press release the Chamber stated: “The Chamber is a membership organization whose mission is to promote, support and advocate the general economic vitality of its membership and the quality of life for the community.”
“An economically competitive community needs a strong public school system to educate and develop the skills of its future workforce and leadership,” the release continued. “The Chamber strives to support and improve the quality of K-12 public education, community colleges and UC Davis by strengthening the communications between local schools, UC Davis, other higher education institutions and the local business community.”
Meanwhile, the Davis Enterprise, in a far stronger statement, argues, “We must do what’s necessary to stave off further cuts in core school services.”
The Davis Enterprise writes that two weeks ago they reported grim news about the Davis school budget outlook.
“Even if Measure C passes next month, we’re facing a persistent $3.5 million deficit that we’ve been papering over with one-time budget fixes over the past several years,” the Enterprise editorial stresses.
“Last Sunday we laid out the details of Measure C, the parcel tax that will be decided in a mail-only election that ends March 6. Single-family homeowners would pay $320 per year and apartment dwellers $150 per year for five years. The tax would generate an estimated $6.5 million annually – 12 percent of the district’s budget – for classroom programs and other ‘basics’ we’ve come to treasure in Davis,” the editorial continues.
The editorial argues: “Taken together, we can see the enormity of the crisis looming for our schools. We desperately need the money Measure C would provide. In Davis, it’s unthinkable not to have music, art and science in the elementary schools, or athletics at the secondary schools.”
The editorial continues: “Fewer librarians, counselors and instructional aides? Drastically pared-down offerings in social studies and foreign languages? Larger class sizes? That’s not our reality in Davis. But it could be a reality if the necessary two-thirds approval threshold for the parcel tax isn’t met.”
They add: “Nearly 87 jobs would be slashed, jobs that range from English and math teachers to nurses and food preparation specialists. Class sizes will rise yet again.”
The editorial also talks about the persistent deficit, noting that in the last four years, the school district has “closed an elementary school, cut staffing at all levels, reduced salaries across the board, increased class sizes, eliminated some class offerings, given retirement incentives to senior teachers, spent reserve funds, improved student attendance (which brings more state funding), conserved on utilities and encouraged community fundraising.”
But they argue those efforts have not been sufficient and the reason is because “the state continues to slash its support for schools as it wrestles with its own nagging budget crisis.”
The stat that they cite is critical, since 2009, “California has chopped more than $1,000 per student from its base funding levels for schools.”
And they acknowledge that Measure C, which merely extends current parcel taxes and funding, is not a long-term solution. We need to work toward that long-term solution.
However, in the short term, the schools will be crippled if they have to find $10 million in funding cuts.
The Enterprise writes: “Clearly, a long-term solution must be found for Davis schools if California can’t get its act together. But until then, we simply must open our wallets and approve Measure C funding to preserve the rich programs to which all of our students are entitled.”
They continue arguing, for those who have children in school, that “your decision on Measure C is a no-brainer: You know that kids learn best in small classes where they get more individual attention from a teacher. You know they’re best stimulated, and engaged, when they have opportunities – like a seventh period in junior high school so they can explore music or art or a practical art like cooking or woodworking.”
For those no longer having kids in school, they make the point of “don’t you want the same opportunities for your friends’ and neighbors’ children that your own offspring had?”
They add, “And for all of us, this tax is an important investment in our community. If you’re a homeowner, you know this $320 pays dividend in your property value many times over.”
“We know Davisites are continuing to struggle in these challenging economic times. But we need to think about our priorities as individuals and our priorities as a community. Educating the next generation is our No. 1 job; Davis has always known that. It’s time to show it,” they conclude.
As if that were not strong enough, the Enterprise has as the headline front-page story this weekend that the school board is considering a second layoff list.
Writes the Enterprise’s Jeff Hudson: “As if the nearly 87 layoffs that will be necessary if Measure C fails on March 6 aren’t enough, now the Davis school district has released a list of 50 more jobs at risk because of a stubborn budget deficit.”
He goes on to write, “This latest budget crisis has been brewing for several weeks. Late last month, the Davis school board held a 7:30 a.m. budget workshop meeting to hear Superintendent Winfred Roberson and Associate Superintendent Bruce Colby discuss the district’s structural deficit, which stands at about $3.5 million for the coming year.”
The story goes on to report, “The district has closed the budget gap on a year-by-year basis until now, with tactics that included a one-time retirement incentive, donations raised by the nonprofit Davis Schools Foundation, employee concessions (a five-day reduction in the 2010-11 school year as an alternative to layoffs), federal stimulus and jobs-bill funds and other methods.”
Last week former DTA President Ingrid Salim called on her fellow teachers to take concessions to help the school district address the $3.5 million deficit that would remain in place even if Measure C passes.
She argued last week, “The district has faced this deficit for a number of years, and each time, as was delineated, other one-time monies were used to offset the need for layoffs and keep programs intact.”
Ms. Salim writes, “This year, the options for such one-time monies are limited, and therefore the threat of layoffs, increase in class sizes and reduction in programs is the greatest it’s been in years.”
She argued: “Certainly, in this time of economic uncertainty, this is one way to have compassion for our colleagues: districts across the state are having to make similar decisions, and finding another job will not be easy for those laid off. In addition to helping our colleagues, many of us teaching know that once positions and programs are lost, it is very difficult to get them back again.”
She goes further and calls on her fellow teachers to step up.
“I urge the Davis Teachers Association leadership to poll their members to gauge interest in a shortened school year and other concessions in order to mitigate those layoffs. We did this once before, a few years ago, and were able to save many employees’ jobs, keep class sizes reasonable and keep programs intact,” she argued.
Ingrid Salim concluded: “If DTA were to direct our Negotiations Committee to do something similar this year, pink slips to compensate for the deficit might be avoided altogether, reducing the anxiety so many face each year in these uncertain times.”
I still have not seen any opponent of Measure C step forward with a plan for how to deal with the loss of $10 million in funding from last year, should Measure C not pass.
They may well argue that this is not their burden to show – but the burden of proof is always on the moving party and if they want the rest of us to follow their advice and vote no, they have to meet our burden of proof. For me that is that you have to show me what a budget with $10 million less will look like and how we educate our kids.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Anyone else struck with the timing of the 2 front page Enterprise stories this morning about drastic looming layoffs by DJUSD?
May be all true but it seems manipulative to me.
[quote]The Enterprise writes: “Clearly, a long-term solution must be found for Davis schools if California can’t get its act together. But until then, we simply must open our wallets and approve Measure C funding to preserve the rich programs to which all of our students are entitled.”[/quote]
And what might that long-term solution be?
“Anyone else struck with the timing of the 2 front page Enterprise stories this morning about drastic looming layoffs by DJUSD?”
Soda, it didn’t surprise me. I’m surprised they didn’t throw in a few cops and firemen getting laid off too for effect. I know David, they don’t work for the school district, it was just a joke so you can put down your keyboard.
“And what might that long-term solution be?”
Higher permanent school parcel taxes.
SODA: The meeting was held on Thursday and there will be a budget meeting on Wednesday. This is the timing when these issues are addressed. Did they play it up for effect? Probably.
Rusty: I laughed.
“And what might that long-term solution be? “
Alternative funding source? Decisions about educational priorities? Other districts have decided to get rid of things like music, counselors, and the like. Is that a good thing? I don’t think so, but if you don’t have the money…
My following comment may also seem manipulative in timing, but this event occurs at the same time each year.
My children are both off to college, so I have no direct stake in this issue at this time. Last night, I was priviledged to get one of the tickets to the Jazz choirs sold out event, Cabaret. I was amazed at the talent displayed by these young musicians. I think that we will have done a real disservice to not only our students, but to our community if we do not financially support our schools at a level that provides not only for excellence in “the basics” but also for the development of these kinds of talents. As I was listening to the music, and watching the members of the group not at that moment performing, serving dinners and clearing tables, I could not help but think that these are 40 students who are developing not only their music skills, but also a sense of what it means to interact positively with members of their community of all ages, races and religions. 40 young people engaged constructively are 40 young people not roaming the streets bored or attending beer parties or using drugs. What a wonderful night, and what a wonderful example of what our support for our schools can do. When you multiply this by the students involved in the Madrigals, the Advanced Treble Choir, the Jazz band, the regular band, the orchestra, and non musical programs such as the robotics club, the sports teams, student newspaper, debate team, participants in writing competitions, arts and theatre groups and I’m sure there are many others, you have a very large number of students constructively engaged in our community. Do we really want to demolish these programs. Could we really be so short sighted that we prefer to have these kids lose these opportunities to positively interact with and give back to their community ?
With the exception of a few outspoken opponents of measure C, one ironically who is protected by tenure I believe, few opponents to measure C will speak out or organize an opposition. It is also doubtful that any institution or legitimate organization will publicly oppose measure C. This does not mean that there is not a silent minority of voters, who, in the sanctity of their kitchen table voting booths, for whatever reason occupies their minds will happily mark the no box on their mail-in ballot. This is why the yes vote must not hesitate to get their votes mailed in despite what looks like the opposition of malicious malcontents that seems so small and petty. Don’t forget their double leverage makes this population of gadflies into a sleeping giant of obstruction.
Mail in your yes on C vote today!
To vote no you couldn’t possibly have any other reason than you are a “malicious malcontent who is small and petty”. It couldn’t be that you are also hurting from the economy, have taken pay and benefit cuts and are seeing your resources constantly shrink from the hand of higher taxation reaching into your pockets. That’s why this gadfly loves it that my home’s two no votes cancels out Toad’s and three other yes votes.
Rusty49
This is where Mr Toad and I part company. I think there are a few members of our community who may have been so impacted by the recession that continuing to support the schools may be an actual hardship. To these folks, I would say, of course vote no since this is clearly in your own true best interest. However, I suspect that for most opponents the approximate dollar per day is far less than we choose to spend on a cup of coffee, a soda, a piece of junk food we would be far better off without. Is it our own choice to spend our money how we choose? Absolutely.
But if one falls into this latter group of opponents who are not truly hurting, but just hate the idea of any tax, then I would say with Mr. Toad, if the shoe fits, wear it.
[quote]As I was listening to the music, and watching the members of the group not at that moment performing, serving dinners and clearing tables, I could not help but think that these are 40 students who are developing not only their music skills, but also a sense of what it means to interact positively with members of their community of all ages, races and religions. 40 young people engaged constructively are 40 young people not roaming the streets bored or attending beer parties or using drugs. What a wonderful night, and what a wonderful example of what our support for our schools can do. [/quote]
Well said…
Medwonan
As usual you are logical and articulate! My only point was the timing of the Trustees layoffs and budget mtg appeared manipulative and as we remember the district has been manipulative before. I am not arguing for no on C, only an observation.
SODA: [i]…the timing of the Trustees layoffs and budget mtg appeared manipulative and as we remember the district has been manipulative before. I am not arguing for no on C, only an observation.[/i]
The district has to close a $10 million deficit. They included the money lost by the expiration of Measures Q & W (but renewed by Measure C), $6.5 million, because that money is not available for next year until voters approve Measure C. What the district is addressing right now is the $3.5 million that remains beyond what would be covered by Measure C. They have until March 15 to discuss and declare any layoffs. The school board usually takes 2-3 meetings to discuss and approve these layoffs and figure out which individuals have to get noticed.
If you suspect manipulation of the calendar, you can look in the school board agenda archives (link ([url]http://www.djusd.net/district/boe/agendas[/url])), and you will see that in previous years the timing of discussion about layoffs in preparing the coming budget takes place about now.
SODA
Big smile. I am not above a little manipulation in what I consider a great cause.
Sorry to hear you are hurting but what higher taxes are you talking about? Your taxes have gone down under Obama.
Also, state taxes have gone down from last year — state sales tax rate, vehicle license fee, state income tax rate. That is one reason we have the budget deficit that we have. Polls showed strong support for voting to continue those taxes to avoid cutting K-12 education, but not enough of the elected representatives could get their act together to make that happen.
“Also, state taxes have gone down from last year — state sales tax rate, vehicle license fee, state income tax rate. That is one reason we have the budget deficit that we have. Polls showed strong support for voting to continue those taxes to avoid cutting K-12 education, but not enough of the elected representatives could get their act together to make that happen.”
Those were just temporary taxes that expired. Are you saying we should now make them permanent?
I’m saying you are wrong about increased taxes.
rusty49: [i]Those were just temporary taxes that expired. Are you saying we should now make them permanent?[/i]
Permanent? Well, those are your words. If it is the will of enough voters to extend those taxes, why not? There was an indication that was indeed the case.
Toad, if you’re retired you haven’t received any Obama tax cuts. But everywhere you go there’s higher fees and taxes. My parcel taxes have been raised by $200, starting this year we can’t write off local taxes anymore off of our homeowner’s parcel tax which will result in a much higher State and Federal tax bill, have you bought an airline ticket lately and looked at the added taxes, have you been given a speeding ticket, they’ve about doubled, same for parking tickets, I could go on forever. Believe me, they’re reaching into your pocket too.
I haven’t gotten a speeding ticket in a long time but I do know there are lots of retired people still paying 15% on dividends and capital gains. If you are a senior you can get a break on the parcel tax. If you are not a senior but retired i hope its not from disability.
rusty49: Bruce Bartlett on Where the Right Went Wrong ([url]https://davisvanguard.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=2&id=492&Itemid=192[/url])
It is my recollection that the $200 parcel tax was supposed to solve the deficit problem in funding local schools so we didn’t have to raise funds so heavily. Now we hear that it didn’t solve anything and will still have to hold fundraisers or pass yet another parcel tax to solve the deficit in funding. Personally, I’m getting a little weary of the continuous appeal for money. Davis does well in serving the gifted amongst its student body, but is mediocre at handling the rest of the students. I think this will get worse if concessions are forced on the teachers and morale drops. So we are having to pay more and more just to maintain status quo, which is just not that great. There are programs and projects in Davis schools that shine, but these opportunities are limited. In the past, we could write off the parcel taxes on our federal and state income tax. Starting next year, only the part of your house that is the assessed value of the house will be able to be deducted. It just gets worse.
“It is my recollection that the $200 parcel tax was supposed to solve the deficit problem in funding local schools so we didn’t have to raise funds so heavily.”
Even last year, the $200 was not sufficient to balance the budget, the state funding loses are too fast for the local district to keep up, so for several years they have had to fill several million gap either through cuts or one-time monies.
[i]Do we really want to demolish these programs. Could we really be so short sighted that we prefer to have these kids lose these opportunities to positively interact with and give back to their community ?”[/i]
Medwoman: Those are good questions and I think you make a valid point about keeping the kids off the streets and engaged in positive activities.
It frankly sucks that we are forced to make these type of decisions.
Forbes Magazine lists California as having the worst tax climate of any state in the nation. Brown is calling for higher taxes on the wealthy in this state. Obama is calling for higher national taxes on what is essentially the upper middle class in California.
The standard chant of the powerful public employees unions is that prop-13 is choking our schools. However, California’s overall tax system should be more than adequate enough to fund education. What the state has demonstrated over and over again is their willingness to stick it to local government when it comes to funding priorities.
As of 2008, California ranked # 14 for property tax collected per capita.
See here: [url]http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/251.html[/url].
As of 2009, California ranked #12 in total tax collected per capita.
See here: [url]http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=513[/url]
California does NOT have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem. Measure C is well-intentioned, but it only serves to mask the larger issue of state spending priorities. It also prevents the realization that art, music and shop programs are always the pawns of the teachers unions to help them beat back calls for efficiency reforms.
The state has the money to adequately fund education if three things happen:
1.We make necessary cuts to state employee pay and benefits.
2.We better prioritize state spending to focus on education and eliminate lower priority spending to free up the necessary funds.
3.We require the education system to become much more efficient – delivering better education services at a lower cost per student.
By voting for parcel taxes for supplemental education funding, cities like Davis will lack the motivation to demand these other three things to happen. With enough affluent communities doing the same thing, it dooms the kids in the less affluent school districts lacking enough combined political capital.
Parcel taxes used by affluent communities are like makeup on a cancer patient. It may make the patient feel better for a while, but the decease is terminal without necessary treatment.
We need to look at the bigger picture here.
Environmentalists support bans on oil exploration, pipelines and plastic bags even though this hurts families with higher product costs and greater inconveniences. They do this because of their committment to bigger problems and goals. Shouldn’t we also care enough about education to focus on the bigger problems and goals?
Ryan Kelly: [i]In the past, we could write off the parcel taxes on our federal and state income tax. Starting next year, only the part of your house that is the assessed value of the house will be able to be deducted. It just gets worse. [/i]
It has never been legal to write off parcel taxes on income taxes. A recent article states that there will be more enforcement on the issue.
[i]Davis does well in serving the gifted amongst its student body, but is mediocre at handling the rest of the students. [/i]
As someone who has not had “gifted” students in Davis schools, I disagree. My kids were served well by the schools. Could there be improvements? Always. But I see improvements taking place. I see ways in which younger students in the Davis schools have a better situation than mine did.
[i]Now we hear that it didn’t solve anything and will still have to hold fundraisers or pass yet another parcel tax to solve the deficit in funding. [/i]
This is a renewal to extend existing funding. The school district has done plenty of things to close its deficit each year (due to less funds from the state): cuts to staffing at all levels, increased class sizes, elimination of some class offerings, retirement incentives to senior teachers, salary cuts across the board, community fundraising, cuts to supplies and services budget, spending of reserve funds (including federal stimulus money), spending of previously restricted funds (allowed for by the state), closed a school, improved student attendance (which brings more state funding), utilities conservation, and allowing for limited numbers of out-of-district students to enroll where a few classroom seats are available.
[i]”Davis does well in serving the gifted amongst its student body, but is mediocre at handling the rest of the students.”[/i]
I agree with this statement. It has been my experience and has also been confirmed by many other parents of students not fitting the gifted-student template. I think well-educated, academically-gifted parents with the time to devote to supplementing their kid’s education can derive good outcomes. However, it is much too easy for the more average student lacking this level of parental help to be ignored and/or written off as just being a slacker or lazy. Talking to friends with kids in the Dixon and Woodland schools, it is clear that those teachers are more attentive and responsive to the needs of non-gifted students lacking strong parental resources.
I see it as an ownership issue. Davis schools operate with a greater expectation that parents will manage the project for ensuring their kids get the best education possible. While the schools in Dixon and Woodland take more reponsibility for the project and treat the parents as a key stakeholder. This is nuanced difference, but it has a big impact on the quality of the education experience for the kids in the middle.
“It has never been legal to write off parcel taxes on income taxes. A recent article states that there will be more enforcement on the issue.”
WDF, no it has never been legal but almost EVERYBODY DID IT.
So because EVERYBODY DID IT everyone is now going to take a hit on their taxes. So all of you taxpayers out there, on top of all the local taxes you now pay on your parcel tax you can now add on several hundred to your income tax bills.
“Until this year, almost everyone, including tax preparers, ignored this law and deducted 100 percent of property taxes, says Mary Canning, dean of the taxation and accounting schools at Golden Gate University.”
JB: [i]Talking to friends with kids in the Dixon and Woodland schools, it is clear that those teachers are more attentive and responsive to the needs of non-gifted students lacking strong parental resources.[/i]
Talking to friends with kids in the Davis, Woodland, and Winters schools, it is clear to me that teachers in Davis are as attentive and responsive to the needs of non-gifted students lacking strong parental resources.
JB: [i]I see it as an ownership issue.[/i]
Me too. Whom do you say is primarily responsible for determining the education of a child? Parents or the schools?
wdf1: I think we must run in a different circle of friends.
[i]Whom do you say is primarily responsible for determining the education of a child? Parents or the schools?[/i]
Define “demermining”; my answer would depend on the context.
Note that when I take my car to the mechanic, or when I take my body to the doctor, I rely on them to accurately diagnose problems and propose a remedy plan. Then I expect them to carry out the plan. Of course, I also expect them to keep me informed… especially if they see the plan not working.
JB: Maybe you believe in state government (“Superman”) coming to the rescue, here. I don’t. Or if they do, it will be too late.
[quote]Fighting to preserve public education ([url]http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120213/COMMUNITY/120209533/1010/sports?p=1&tc=pg[/url])
The reality is that Petalumans’ extraordinarily generous donations of money and volunteer time are no longer required to provide extras for local schools; rather, they are necessary to merely ensure that local kids get the basics in their public educational experience.
In 2012, guaranteeing a quality public education for Petaluma’s children does, indeed, take a village. It’s a collective responsibility that we must embrace, because state government has abdicated the job.[/quote]
“It is my recollection that the $200 parcel tax was supposed to solve the deficit problem in funding local schools so we didn’t have to raise funds so heavily. Now we hear that it didn’t solve anything and will still have to hold fundraisers or pass yet another parcel tax to solve the deficit in funding. “
Sorry Ryan, you are a little confused. The parcel tax being renewed this year has existed and been repeatedly renewed since the 80’s. The $200 that was asked for last year was a one time deal to get the district through the bottom of the recession.
My family would truly appreciate your support for measure C so that the kids can have the best possible education..
[quote]”Anyone else struck with the timing of the 2 front page Enterprise stories this morning about drastic looming layoffs by DJUSD?”[/quote]SODA, the feds used to call that “closing down the Washington Monument,” probably still do. Timing for releasing this kind of information is critical–there’s no shame felt in trying to influence decisions this way.
One has to wonder how effective it is, however. Does it change anything for these of us who already are voting “YES”? Does it tick off, and energize, the ones who were going to vote the other way? What do the undecideds think upon reading the “sky is falling” stuff?
DDBA board endorses Measure C ([url]http://www.davisenterprise.com/business/ddba-board-endorses-measure-c/[/url])