School districts across the Bay Area, including Santa Clara County to Marin County, are asking voters to approve more than $688 million in school bonds and parcel tax measures in an attempt to avoid deep budget cuts to programs and teacher layoffs. The measures would provide funding for everything from school libraries and upgraded classrooms to core academic programs and teacher salaries.
School districts across the Bay Area are asking voters to approve more than $688 million in school bonds and parcel tax measures in a last-ditch effort to avoid deep budget cuts to programs and teacher layoffs .
The 19 measures from Santa Clara County to Marin County would fund everything from school libraries and upgraded classrooms to core academic programs and teacher salaries. Already, dozens of Bay Area school districts have announced layoffs, program cuts, or school closures this year to repair gaping budget deficits ranging from $6 million to over $100 million.
Without local funds, districts say they would be required to make even more cuts, resulting in additional teacher and staff layoffs, larger class sizes, and significant cuts to core academic programs. Many school districts with measures on the ballot have pointed to California’s ‘inequitable’ state funding formula as the primary reason for needing taxpayer dollars to supplement limited state education funding.
In Ravenswood City School District, the unexpected closure of The Primary School has created an immediate crisis: a 20% enrollment surge that their current buildings were not designed to hold. If approved, the $70 million school bond will make them eligible for state matching funds and preserve the current learning environment for students.
Lafayette School District in Contra Costa County is asking voters to approve a $585 per parcel tax for nine years, which will provide $5.1 million in local funds each year. The parcel tax rate would be increased 3% each year to account for inflation and provide an exemption for seniors ages 65 and older. The Lafayette School District says without a replacement and increase, they will need to make significant cuts to staff, academic programs, and student services.
The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association opposes the measure, arguing that it will harm renters, small businesses, and working families. Piedmont Unified School District in Alameda County is asking voters to renew an expiring $3,174 per parcel tax, Measure H, which provides approximately $12 million annually to supplement limited state funding. School leaders say local funds are crucial due to limited state and federal funding. The passage also mentions Gov. Gavin Newsom clashing with school leaders over state funding
School Bonds Parcel Tax Measures Budget Cuts Teacher Layoffs Limited State Education Funding Inequitable State Funding Formula Local Funds California’S Education Funding Formula Funding Crisis Gaping Budget Deficits School Libraries Upgraded Classrooms Core Academic Programs Teacher Salaries Local Leaders Schools Programs Trustees Administrators Staff Students Teachers Classes Recession Pension Funds Recruit And Retain High-Quality Educators
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
First Bay Area medical school in 100 years to launch at Santa Clara UniversityAbout 60% of Californians looking to pursue a medical degree have to move to other states for medical school, a state workforce commission reports.
Read more »
High Fire Risk Ahead for Certain Areas in ArizonaA heightened fire risk is being declared for several areas of central Arizona starting this weekend. These areas include Southern Gila County/Tonto National Forest Foothills, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, Northern Graham-Northern Greenlee-White and Gila Mountains, Southern Graham-Central and Eastern Cochise-Southern Greenlee-Lower Elevations of the San Carlos Apache Nation in Graham County, White Mountains, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Marble and Glen Canyons, Grand Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Western Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Yavapai County Mountains, Coconino Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Chinle Valley, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau.
Read more »
Navajo Nation Winter Sunrise and Sunset Times Due to Daylight Saving TimeThe Navajo Nation in Graham County, Gila County, and Sierra County announces winter sunrise and sunset times due to Daylight Saving Time. The authorized driving hours are from Sunday at 11 AM MST until Sunday at 8 PM MST, for Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, Northern Graham-Northern Greenlee-White and Gila Mountains, Southern Graham-Central and Eastern Cochise-Southern Greenlee-Lower Elevations of the San Carlos Apache Nation in Graham County, Southern Gila County/Tonto National Forest Foothills. The authorized driving hours are from Sunday at 11 AM MST until Saturday at 8 PM MST, for White Mountains, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Marble and Glen Canyons, Grand Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Western Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Yavapai County Mountains, Coconino Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County. The authorized driving hours are from Saturday at 11 AM MST until Saturday at 8 PM MST, for Chinle Valley, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Chuska Mountains, Defiance Plateau, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward. The authorized driving hours are from Sunday at 12 PM MDT until Sunday at 9 PM MDT, for Chinle Valley, Suede Mountains, Valley Mountains South of I-40, Valles GMCs, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264.
Read more »
Navajo Nation Winter Sunrise and Sunset Times Due to Daylight Saving TimeThe Navajo Nation in Graham County, Gila County, and Sierra County announces winter sunrise and sunset times due to Daylight Saving Time. The authorized driving hours are from Sunday at 11 AM MST until Sunday at 8 PM MST, for Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, Northern Graham-Northern Greenlee-White and Gila Mountains, Southern Graham-Central and Eastern Cochise-Southern Greenlee-Lower Elevations of the San Carlos Apache Nation in Graham County, Southern Gila County/Tonto National Forest Foothills. The authorized driving hours are from Sunday at 11 AM MST until Saturday at 8 PM MST, for White Mountains, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County, Marble and Glen Canyons, Grand Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Western Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County, Yavapai County Mountains, Coconino Plateau, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County. The authorized driving hours are from Saturday at 11 AM MST until Saturday at 8 PM MST, for Chinle Valley, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Chuska Mountains, Defiance Plateau, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward. The authorized driving hours are from Sunday at 12 PM MDT until Sunday at 9 PM MDT, for Chinle Valley, Suede Mountains, Valley Mountains South of I-40, Valles GMCs, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward, Black Mesa Area, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264.
Read more »