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Members from the Association of Pleasanton Teachers rallied at schools across the city Tuesday in support of California Proposition 55 and local school bond I1 that are on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Joined by school Supt. Rick Rubino, members of the teachers’ union said that without this critical funding, the Pleasanton school district could face “devastating cuts” that would reach deep into classrooms where students will certainly feel the effects.
Prop. 55 calls for extending the personal income tax increases on incomes over $250,000 approved as part of Proposition 30 in 2012 for 12 years in order to fund education and healthcare.
A “no” vote would allow the tax increase to expire.
About 89% of revenue from the Prop. 55 extended tax would go towards K-12 schools and 11% to state community colleges. An additional $2 billion would be allocated in certain years to Medi-Cal and other health programs.
Proposition 30, which was to be phased out starting in 2018, has raised about $6 billion per year since it was approved in 2012.
Measure I1 is a $270 million general obligation bond placed on the ballot by the Pleasanton school district’s board of trustees. The measure requires approval from 55% of Pleasanton voters to pass.
It would authorize the district to issue and sell bonds of up to $270 million to fund specific school facilities projects in the board approved bond project list. The district’s first in nearly 20 years, the measure would mean a tax of $49 per $100,000 of assessed value for Pleasanton property owners. Unlike a parcel tax, a bond measure has no exemptions for seniors.
The bond project list includes new classroom buildings at Lydiksen Elementary School, 21st Century science labs at all Pleasanton middle and high schools, state of the art classroom technology, new solar structures to improve energy efficiency and cost savings and a new elementary school.
Jeb – You missed the word ‘temporary’. Prop 55 extends the temporary income tax.
I am “shocked”, just “shocked” that the teacher’s union want us to pay more taxes.
I think its time that people realize that there is a need for austerity in Government. The new tax will be imposed on Senior citizens so that renters and transient homeowners with children will benefit. I was told by a colleague who lives in Union City that when his kids were in the band in competitions with Pleasanton at Pleasanton schools that they had the best facilities in the area compared to all the other schools. I would like to know how many of the teachers actually live in the Pleasanton area that participated in the rally?
How much did BobB invest in the public school systems? Zuckerberg and Chan invested $100M in Newark school systems. What’s in it for me besides having to pay higher taxes?
Zuckerberg and Chan realized that throwing money at a problem is not a solution unless active participation is taken. Also, I have no kids of school age and I have nothing to gain. Parents should realize that kids cost money and don’t look towards government in solving their problems.
The quality of educators make a big difference regardless or how much money is spent. Education is primarily done in the homes, hopefully. My child went to Valley Christian.
Big winners on proposition I1
PUSD – Funds for repairs and construction for improvements to Pleasanton
schools will be funded by property owners. Therefore any allocation
of money for repairs can be reallocated to raises, benefits to PUSD,
and other incentives.
Parents – Money in the schools can potentially add value to a childs
education.
Big losers on proposition I1
Senior citizens – Those who are just getting by on fixed income will have an
additional tax burden.
Low Income families – Higher property tax will mean higher rents, higher
lease prices causing grocery stores to charge more as well as other
commercial establishments.
Momma Bear,
Thats a sad story. Do you know why money was not budgeted for the repairs? Have you been able to review the PUSD budget? How involved are you in the PUSD public meetings?
I could not let your sad story go without a true story of my own. I was at a market in the heart of Pleasanton when some kids attempted to shoplift alcohol. I was curious so I asked the store clerk do a lot of kids do that? She said they have a lot of shoplifting at the store and most of them were older couples or single older people. This happened a few years ago and its only my own empiricism but a lot of people need help out there. Let’s hope we are keeping our “public servants” honest.
Voting YES on both. The funding is sorely needed.
@austerity,
I don’t think your comparison is good. Union City is not a comparable district to PUSD. A better comparison would be with San Ramon or Dublin. Have you had a chance to tour the Pleasanton school facilities? I have kids in elementary and middle school in the district, and we definitely need the items on the list in Measure I1.
@austerity,
What’s in it for us residents of Pleasanton? Improved school infrastructure and the other things on the list.
I don’t know where you are going with the Zuckerberg comment other than to say it is a good thing.
I gave a smaller amount than that, obviously.
@austerity,
Your kids didn’t benefit when they were of school age?
Schools benefit all of us.
@austerity,
I1 is about facilities and labs and things like that.
This measure is incredibly needed. I have two elementary school children at two different schools in the district. Lydiksen is in desperate need of these funds. I have been in classrooms during rain storms and had to help staff place upwards of 5 garbage cans in one classroom to collect the water leaking through the roof. Unfortunately, educational materials were damaged – think of the impact replacing damaged materials can have on classroom/school budgets.
Look at the line items. They want to improve fire alarms, upgrade electrical infrastructure and the locks on doors, improve lighting, provide greater access to technology…
Yes, excellent teachers make education successful, but so do safe and appropriate facilities and materials for our community. (and this doesn’t even take into consideration the underfunded needs of PUSD’s special education programs!)