I know that in the weird entity called “politics” reality gets blurred. I still think we should offer politicians a refresher course in high school Civics to remind them of their job descriptions.
Normally I’m not someone who says, “You need to vote for this thing.” (At least I don’t see myself as that.)
Do you remember when April 15 was stressful because of taxes? It’s also our district’s deadline to notify you if you have a job next year or not. Legislature was passed that said they didn’t have to give us that courtesy, but thankfully they will.
Right now we have four proposed budgets, based on if we fund all-day Kindergarten and if Prop 100 passes. The other surrounding districts will be funding all-day Kindergarten, so my money’s (literally) on our district doing the same (in an effort to not lose students to neighboring districts).
If Prop 100, the one cent sales tax for three years, passes, our classes stay at the ~33-34 students per class that we’re in (one PE class has 44 students for the one teacher…imagine my fun coordinating that class for AIMS).
We’ll be taking a 1% pay decrease to fund Kindergarten, along with less take-home pay to buffer our medical coverage. This is our best case scenario and I’m not complaining. I’m a fan of having a job. I remember when my library budget got zeroed out and I was frustrated. That’s had to become the new reality and like most decent educators, we adapt.
Whether you think there’s district waste or not, the plan is taking shape. If Prop 100 does not pass, the cuts look crazy. We’re now looking at how to hold class with ~35-40 students being the average, removing sections of Special Education inclusion classes, and a whole bunch of other stuff that trickles down to the students. Keep in mind that it’s students and teachers getting hit by education cuts – we’ll still have superintendents no matter what. That’s the reality of it and I don’t see it changing too soon.
I know it’s tough all over right now. I just ask that if you don’t vote for Prop 100, don’t tell me. And to my newly-turned 18 year-old readers…please register to vote. Hey! I’ll even provide a handy link right here.
Funding from Prop 100 also goes to police officers and firefighters. Rumor has it we need those, right?
Here’s the language of the Prop:
A “yes” vote shall have the effect of temporarily adding one cent to the transaction privilege (sales) and use tax that begins on July 1, 2010 and ends May 31, 2013 for the purpose of funding primary and secondary education, health and human services and public safety.
And here’s to April 16…
Semi-related posts:
They changed it to May 1 as the notification day.