There are 2 statewide major ballot measures that will impact our schools - all will raise taxes in an effort to increase state revenues. Regardless of outcome of measures below, it is estimated that SDUSD will still need to cut between $50MM and $70MM of additional spending cuts. To learn about the state initiatives, who support / oppose, who has funded and details about each measure, see links below.
Local Ballot Measure
Proposition Z: "To repair neighborhood schools and charter schools with funding the state cannot take away by: Repairing deteriorating 60-year-old classrooms, libraries, wiring, plumbing, bathrooms and leaky roofs; Removing hazardous mold, asbestos, and lead; Upgrading fire safety systems/doors; Upgrading classroom instructional technology, labs and vocational education classrooms; Shall San Diego Unified School District issue $2.8 billion in bonds at legal interest rates with citizen’s oversight, independent financial audits, no money for administrators’ salaries and all funds spent locally?" Prop. Z would increase property taxes at most $60 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation of taxable property.
SDUSD: Prop Z Web Site
Guide to Decide: SDUSD's Proposition Z | NBC 7 San Diego
SDUSD: Prop Z Web Site
Guide to Decide: SDUSD's Proposition Z | NBC 7 San Diego
Voice of San Diego: City Schools' New Borrowing Plan: San Diego Explained
Union Tribune: Vote No on Z - It Props Up A Broken Status Quo
The School Board Races:
Three seats are opening up this year:
Union Tribune: Vote No on Z - It Props Up A Broken Status Quo
The School Board Races:
Three seats are opening up this year:
- Sub-District D: Current board member: Richard Barrera. Challengers: None. Barrera isn’t being challenged in this election. We won’t spend any more time on him.
- Sub-District A: Current board member: John Lee Evans. Challenger: Mark Powell. Evans, the current board president, is running for re-election, hoping to win a second term. His challenger, Mark Powell, caused an upset in June when he won more votes than the incumbent.
- Sub-District E: Current board member: Shelia Jackson. Candidates: Bill Ponder and Marne Foster.
6 comments:
I will vote a big NO on Prop Z. The taxpayer recently approved Prop S for the schools. A responsible School Board would have used the funds from Prop S for the school improvement needs listed in Prop Z. Instead this School Board sent $20 million to the downtown library. Also, you should not borrow long term to fund short term needs and building maintenance.
I will be voting no on Prop Z and state measures. As an avid supporter of public education and past co-chair of Prop S - this is hard decision. But more money without critical reforms, a board that has pushed the District to the brink of insolvency, that is afraid to have thoughtful conversations about seniority (70% of Correia staff rec'd layoff notices), supportive teacher evaluations, declines to pursue $40MM of Race to Top federal grant money because it does not have the courage to take on a reform agenda (sells property instead), that votes to give principals in district priority hiring,... too much adults first. Education policy seems so simple - every decision should be kids first. See: engagepl.com
Just as a clarification - over $7 billion in needed school improvements were identified prior to the passage of Prop S, which provided $2.1 billion in funding. Prop Z provides another $2.8 billion, but even that won't cover all of the improvements identified before the passage of Prop S.
For school board I will be voting for Mark Powell and Bill Ponder.
Prop Z will cost you (in today's dollars): If your house is assessed at $300k it will cost you $3,400, if assessed at $500k it will cost you $5,800, assessed at $1MM $11,600. See: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlonFIYycTeBdFhyQkxaN0dFeXhUYmxrczhSV19RekE
I have been asked by several, "Why Mark Powell over John Evans for SDUSD School Board?". I asked Mark Powell to respond directly to that question. I wanted to share with you his response.
Mark Powell Reply (see link below).
Read Mark Powell Reply!
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