Letter to the Editor: State Funding for Schools Uncertain

Dear Editor:

You may have seen the headlines that indicate that schools will receive more funding with the governor's revised May budget proposal.

While it appears to be good news, the reality is the statement is based on the assumption that taxes will be extended, something that the governor has not been able to get through the legislature in the past four months. So until the state of California has approved tax extensions (either legislatively and/or by voter approval) it would be wise to not to count on this revenue.

The good news is AUSD has a budget that does not assume any increases in state funding. It will be much easier to prioritize restoring programs than making mid-year cuts.

Finally, just a reminder that even if the state of California comes through with "more funding for schools" we will still be $5 million below in state funding from three years ago. 

With the recent passage of the replacement parcel tax, district staff people have been able to return to implementing the Master Plan adopted in February, 2010.

As a result, the Board of Education will be evaluating a number of proposals during the 2011/12 school year. The Board has begun conducting workshops on the school year calendar, high school graduation requirements and indicators to measure academic progress.

Future workshops will look at school site scorecards, measuring district office support for school sites, magnet programs and other programs to improve student outcomes.

Mike McMahon, Alameda School Board