State bond measure 'imperative' for schools, say educators State bond measure 'imperative' for schools, say educators (February 04, 2004)

** The governor's proposed $15 billion bond measure is on the March 2 ballot.

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

Local school officials are breathing a collective sigh of relief after looking closely at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget for schools. But they're still wary. If voters don't approve the governor's proposed $15 bond measure March 2, far steeper cuts could be in store.

Under the governor's proposal, K-12 public schools would receive $2 billion in the 2004-05 fiscal year from the $4 billion increase they are entitled to under Proposition 98, which requires the state to devote about 40 percent of its operating budget to schools.

This $2 billion would cover enrollment increases for the 2004-05 year and a 1.84 percent cost-of-living adjustment for programs entitled to it. The remaining $2 billion would be restored, the governor promises, possibly in the 2005-06 fiscal year.

"Things are looking very well" for school districts, said Tim Hanretty, business manager of the Portola Valley and Woodside elementary school districts. He made his comments at the Portola Valley school board meeting January 14 after spending the day in Sacramento, immersed in budget discussions.

But the big question mark is whether voters approve Proposition 57, the statewide $15 billion bond measure. "If it doesn't pass, it will be a whole new ballgame," said Mr. Hanretty.

"It's absolutely imperative that the bond measure passes in March," said Superintendent Anne Campbell of the Portola Valley District. That was the consensus expressed at a recent meeting of area superintendents, she said.

Another key factor in the local funding picture for schools is the county assessor's projections for property tax revenue growth, to be released in February, said Mr. Hanretty.

De Modderman, who will wind up her duties as business manager for the Menlo Park district at the end of January but continue as business manager for the Las Lomitas district, presented her analysis at the January 15 meeting of the Menlo Park school board.

Some highlights of the governor's proposed budget, cited by Ms. Modderman and Mr. Hanretty, include:

** Basic-aid districts would not receive a proposed 1.84 percent cost-of-living adjustment that revenue-limit districts would receive. (Revenue-limit districts receive funds from the state for each student, calculated separately for each district. Basic-aid districts are funded primarily by local property taxes that exceed the revenue limit.) Menlo Park, Las Lomitas, Portola Valley and Woodside would receive some cost-of-livingadjustment funds for the Tinsley voluntary transfer students from the Ravenswood City School District who attend schools in neighboring districts under a court-ordered integration settlement agreement.

** Other programs earmarked to receive a 1.84 percent cost-of-living adjustment are school improvement, economic impact aid, class-size reduction, and special education. Funds for class-size reduction would increase from $906 to $923 per pupil in grades K-3.

** The governor proposes to fold funds from 22 of 88 categorical programs (which restrict districts to spend the money for specified purposes) into an unrestricted block grant (which can be spent as the districts decide). The programs that apply to local districts would be transportation (Las Lomitas and Menlo Park), school improvement, staff development buyback days, instructional materials, beginning teacher support and assessment, and teacher peer assistance review.

** Money for an instructional materials fund would increase $185 million to be used for 2002 language arts classes and 2005 history/social sciences curriculum adoptions. It is anticipated that these funds will be distributed via an application process and on a first-come, first-served basis.

** All reductions made to categorical programs in the 2003-04 fiscal year would continue into the 2005-06 year.

The next step in the budget process is the governor's "May revise" -- a budget update scheduled to be released May 15.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.