Local political leaders take a nuanced view of Proposition 82, the “Pre-school for All” initiative.
No one is against giving all 4-year-olds a head start on their learning path, but some have reservations about whether Proposition 82 is the right way to do the job.
“I like the concept of universal pre-school and a lower age at which children start into the educational arena. But the devil is in the details,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon, who is still struggling with the issue. “I wonder if we should lock a program like this into the Constitution.”
Also still undecided are state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, and the League of Women Voters of California.
“I think the benefits of universal preschool are clear,” Sen. Simitian told The Almanac. “What’s less clear to me is whether Proposition 82 is the best way to get it done.”
A survey of local officials found strong support for Proposition 82 from Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Atherton; state Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough; Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City; and former assemblyman Ted Lempert.
“The earlier children learn, the more success they will have in their later life,” Mr. Ruskin said. “It’s a worthwhile investment.”
San Mateo County Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, who represents Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and Redwood City on the board, also supports it. “This is a one-time opportunity, so we have to seize the moment,” she said. “It’s up to us to make sure we get the benefits in all our communities.”
Sen. Speier acknowledges the measure has problems. “It has hiccups,” she said. “I think we can fix the hiccups.”
Ted Lempert
Mr. Lempert, who has focused on education since leaving the Assembly in 2000, is working hard to pass Proposition 82. He is president of Children Now, a national child-advocacy organization.“Prop 82 will expand access to kids not in preschool, and will improve quality across the board,” he said.
Mr. Lempert responded to some of the arguments against Proposition 82:
• It is difficult to change provisions of the measure that are locked into the constitution.
Mr. Lempert noted the state Legislature can modify the rules as long as it doesn’t undermine the intent of the measure. “The Legislature needs a two-thirds vote to make changes,” he said.
• The measure will drive current operators out of business if they don’t want to meet state requirements.
Mr. Lempert said the measure is carefully drafted so that current and nonprofit providers can qualify, but have to meet some requirements. While teachers will have to have a bachelor’s degree by 2014, the initiative includes money for teacher training.
• Some people don’t want the state writing standards and tests for pre-schoolers.
“The state is doing that anyway,” Mr. Lempert responded. “They will be doing this regardless.”
• Some people argue the measure should be targeted at people in need and not be universal.
“Being universal is key,” Mr. Lempert said. “That’s how you can put dollars into teacher training, facilities, and increasing the pay.”
Other views
Mr. Gordon still had reservations based on San Mateo County’s experience in creating a preschool-for-all program in East Palo Alto and Redwood City.“We are finding issues around facilities, teacher qualifications, and parent participation,” Mr. Gordon said. “These are issues that need to be tweaked as we move to implement the measure. I am concerned that details in the constitution might be hard to tweak.”
Mr. Gordon also worried about the allocation of money, since Proposition 82 calls for a single dollar-per-child allocation statewide. “In a high-cost area like ours, facilities are more expensive and salary expectations higher,” he said. “I’m not sure how the math will work out.”
The three candidates fighting to succeed Sen. Speier, who leaves the state Senate because of term limits, take three views of Proposition 82.
Former San Mateo County Supervisor Mike Nevin supports it. “In the American family today both parents are working,” he said. “We do need to support the kids as much as possible.”
Assemblyman Leland Yee of San Francisco, a professional educator and child psychologist, has taken no position. “It troubles me that you are using public dollars to subsidize some rich kid’s child care,” he said. “There is no means test. A Beverly Hills kid gets the same subsidy as one from East Palo Alto.”
Former Assemblyman Lou Papan worried about building a new bureaucracy. “I support the thrust of Proposition 82, but I don’t know if 82 is the answer,” he said. “We should work with the existing bureaucracy, and put money into education.”
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