Across the state, local members and CTA teamed up to pass school bonds and parcel taxes in the June 3 primary election, which will mean updated classrooms in many districts and hope for recruiting and retaining teachers.
Nine of 13 local school bonds or parcel taxes involving CTA-backed campaigns were approved by voters — bringing badly needed new resources at a time when the state’s massive budget deficit is forcing cutbacks in many school districts. Parcel taxes can be used for salaries and school supplies, while bond money is restricted to facility projects such as renovations and new construction.
“This election showed once again that the public is willing to provide local financial support to make sure our public schools and students have the facilities and resources to keep improving,” says CTA President David A. Sanchez. “These election results offer some hope for recruiting and retaining educators. But not every community can do what these cities did, nor should they have to. The governor and lawmakers need to craft a state budget that adequately funds and protects all students and public schools across the state.”
Ninety-four percent of the candidates that CTA recommended for Congress and the state Assembly and Senate were winners — a strong 99 out of 105 endorsed candidates. Four of six CTA-backed school board candidates in Oakland and San Diego also won. (For election results, visit the Secretary of State's website.)
Overall, California’s voters once again approved financial support for local public school funding measures, passing 31 of the 46 school bond or school parcel tax measures in California communities, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.
“Even in these tough economic times,” says O’Connell, “Californians are willing to reach deep into their pockets to pass measures to invest in their communities, their local schools and their children’s futures.”
By walking precincts and phone-banking, teachers passed Measure G in the Santa Ana Unified School District. The $200 million school bond will provide sorely needed renovations, says David Barton, president of the Santa Ana Educators Association.
“It was essential to support the efforts of the district to fix the schools,” Barton says. “Our students deserve a clean, safe learning environment.”
The victory means the 55,000- student Santa Ana district can now afford to repair roofs, upgrade wiring for Internet access, and renovate classrooms and science labs, among other projects.
CTA provided substantial funding support in the successful fight for a parcel tax in San Francisco Unified School District, which will generate about $29 million a year to raise teacher salaries in the district and help it recruit and retain educators, says Dennis Kelly, president of United Educators of San Francisco.
“This was a spectacular win for our schools, and it came about because of the hard work of educators and community members working together,” says Kelly of Proposition A, which passed with nearly 70 percent approval.
Thanks to the victory, some newer teachers in the high-cost city will see raises of about $10,000 per year. In addition, starting pay for San Francisco teachers will be boosted to about $51,000 per year.
Other CTA-backed measures that passed on June 3 were supported by the following chapters: Fort Bragg District Teachers Association, Measure C; Fremont Education Association, Measure B; Los Gatos Teachers Association, Measure E; Palo Alto Education Association, Measure A; Kerman Unified Teachers Association, Measure K; Val Verde Teachers Association, Measure J.
The Alameda Education Association in the San Francisco Bay Area saw a narrow parcel tax victory after absentee and provisional ballots were counted. That tax will generate approximately $4 million a year for the next four years. Alameda’s school budget troubles attracted wide media attention after parents launched their own advertising campaign to generate public awareness. The ad campaign — donated by a parent who owns an Oakland advertising agency — included students and teachers standing in garbage cans bearing the slogan: “Our public schools are too important to throw away.”
Alameda Education Association President Patricia Sanders voiced pride in all who participated. “This has been an incredible effort by this community — our teachers, parents and students all deserve this victory.”
Mike Myslinski
