SUSD parcel tax would help schools

A furlough day? Sounds fantastic for the students who are elated to skip a day of school. However, to teachers, it means something different: less instructional time, a rushed curriculum and an indicator of a school that is struggling for monetary support, not to mention a day without pay when they are probably grading tests or preparing for upcoming lessons.

This situation became a reality when two furlough days were implemented this year in the Saratoga Union School District (SUSD) and class sizes were increased due to a budget deficit of $640,000.

To help with the budget situation, SUSD is trying to convince voters to support the passage of the parcel tax known as Measure B in a special election on May 8 that would require a two-thirds majority. It calls for $68 per parcel annually for eight years, raising almost half a million dollars per year. This money would support Argonaut Elementary, Saratoga Elementary, Foothill Elementary and Redwood Middle School.

This parcel tax would give stability to the schools by protecting academic programs, retaining qualified teachers, helping protect the full number of instructional days in the school year, and providing books and instructional materials.

It also ensures that no money would be spent on administrators’ salaries, and an independent citizens’ oversight committee would ensure that funds are spent properly.

There is also a high possibility of a $1.5 million reduction in funding for the 2012-13 school year. If Measure B is not passed, the school may have to go to even more measures. It would hurt the quality of education if classes were bigger or if enriching elective programs such as music or art weren’t as well supported.

Some people have argued that the budget problem could solved by firing non-teaching staff or lowering salaries, but firing staff would leave jobs undone. Tasks such as cleaning classrooms, answering phones or making copies may seem insignificant, but these jobs are crucial to keeping the school running smoothly. Meanwhile, lowering salaries would be absurd since the Bay Area has a higher cost of living compared to other areas in California and teachers must be able to support themselves.

Although some senior citizen may object to approving Measure B because they do not have any children in the school district, they can apply for an exemption.

Last year’s parcel tax, known as Measure A, has so far proven to be effective in avoiding a significant increase in class sizes and teacher layoffs in the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District. After seeing the effect of the parcel tax on the high schools, it would be wise for the voters to approve Measure B.

The parcel tax is a small price to pay to maintain the high quality of education in Saratoga. It would support the elementary and middle schools, building a strong educational foundation for the future.