Patch Blog: Why We Should Vote for Prop 38

As a new school year begins, I'm reminded of how much has been cut from our schools here in South Pasadena.  The last four years of budget cuts, amounting to approximately $20 billion, has reduced our capacity to fund arts, counselors, technology and librarians.  We have been fortunate in South Pasadena due to the passage of our parcel tax, but even with this parcel tax, our schools remain severely underfunded.  Even with our parcel tax, our per pupil spending is well below the national average.  

I'm voting for Prop 38 this Nov. 6 because it will restore science, physical education, art, counseling, sports and other essentials that have been cut from California's schools. Prop 38 is the only proposition on the ballot that guarantees new money will be sent directly to our local schools across in California, including each one of our schools here in South Pasadena.

Prop 38 offers five guarantees to parents, educators, and students, which dictate who will make funding decisions, and specifically where that money will be sent.

Prop 38’s Five Guarantees:

#1  The Legislature cannot touch the money, and it cannot use the new money to replace the funds schools currently receive.

#2  School funding must go to every school on a per pupil basis, and must be spent at the school.

#3  The money cannot be spent to increase salaries or pensions of school personnel. Prop 38 prohibits spending more than 1% on administration.

#4  Spending decisions will be made locally, following public input.

#5  School districts will be accountable, for demonstrated improvement at each school, based on established  annual educational improvement goals.

With Prop 38, my daughter's school, South Pasadena High School, will receive an additional $1,454,176 in 2013-14 that will increase over the next 11 years. These vitally needed new funds flow directly to our school to improve students’ academic performance, graduation rates, and college and career readiness. Find out how much money your local school will receive with the Prop 38 benefits calculator here.

Prop 38 is paid for by a fair and balanced sliding scale tax, and for me and my family, we'll pay far less than we currently pay in donations to provide our students programs that have been cut, year after year in California’s public schools.

Join the growing campaign to bring back transparency and return local control over our children’s education. Spread the word to your friends onFacebook and vote YES on Prop 38 on November 6th. Together can make a difference!