Statewide ballot measures to affect district’s revenues

With all the hype that comes with the impending presidential election, students and parents often tend to forget about changes that will affect them the most in their immediate community.

Two propositions, 30 and 38, are scheduled to be voted in November. The outcome of these measures will greatly affect the California’s education system.

The first, Proposition 30, is supported by Gov. Jerry Brown. This measure temporarily raises the sales and use tax and the personal income tax on the wealthy and will raise about $9 billion in the 2012-13 school year.

The second measure, Proposition 38, is primarily supported by state legislator Molly Munger. This measure increases personal income tax starting in 2013 and will raise an estimated $5 billion for the 2012-13 school year.

If both measures pass, the one with the higher percentage of votes will be put into action.  Though both measures would benefit the school, superintendent Bob Mistele said the school board supports Prop 38 more.

“It is pretty clear that Prop 38 provides more direct money to public education,” Mistele said. “It is secured for a longer period of time directed just to K-12 schools.”

However, because the measures are so close in description, many voters might not vote for either. 

“I think it would have been better and easier for people to understand if only one of them prevailed and one of them was on the ballot,” Mistele said. “But this is not the case, so being in a situation where neither one of the passes will make us have a severe cut to our budget.”

According to Mistele, the district is prepared to cut $1.3 million from its 2012-2013 budget if neither proposition passes.

Mistele said the school board has created two plans. One plan describes the budget if one of the measures pass, and the other describes the budget if neither of the measures pass.

“We are not going to be cutting any teachers, [and] sports and music will not be affected,” Mistele said.

If neither proposition passes, Mistele said most students will not see a noticeable effect. The board will just “have to tighten our belts” in other ways, he explained. However, other districts around California will have to go so far as to having furlough days in order to make up for the cuts.

Certain factors could partially alleviate the effects of the cuts. Mistele said that because the two schools’ evaluation scores are increasing, the district will receive more money than usual from the state. The additional funds may cover almost half of the cuts.

Mistele said the parcel tax that was passed in spring 2011 will provide an additional $930,000. A local property tax, the parcel tax is not affected by the outcome of statewide voting, but it’s clear that the failure of the two propositions could effectively wipes out the revenue generated by the parcel tax. 
If Prop 30 passes, the school district will not be receiving any more money than it already has. But if Prop 38 passes, there is a chance that the school will receive state funding, Mistele said. 

“For this [Prop 38] money, we are looking at using it for technology and student-centered activities. If students want a certain class added, we would use [the money] for that,” Mistele said.

According to Mistele, in recent statewide polls, 51 percent of voters in the state are in favor of proposition 30, while 46 percent favor proposition 38. For either measure to pass, a simple majority of 50 percent is needed.

“I’m encouraged that one of them will pass, though I’m getting nervous that the polling is so close to 50 percent,” Mistele said. “But when push comes to shove, voters will realize public education needs support.”