The best way to fund education?

In favor: Raise money for our public schools

For too long, politicians in Sacramento have cut or manipulated funding for California’s schools. That’s why the California State PTA said, “Enough is enough” and helped write Proposition 38 to restore the programs our students need and deserve.

Imagine smaller class sizes and a librarian in your elementary school; art, music and more science classes at your middle school; and a high school with more instructional days and more counselors to assist students on their way to college. Prop. 38 helps do just that. Prop. 38 guarantees billions of dollars directly to local schools based on enrollment, averaging $10 billion annually over 12 years. Sacramento politicians are prohibited from diverting the funds or dictating how they’re spent.

Instead, parents, educators and communities will have a real say in how the dollars at their schools are spent to improve student outcomes. And Prop. 38 creates accountability by requiring local school boards to report specifically on how the money is spent.

The initiative generates revenue with a sliding scale income tax rate increase, with the wealthiest paying the most.

As a parent, I know what it’s like to sell calendars, gift-wrap and sweatshirts to try to preserve the quality of our children’s education. The PTA has been on the front lines combatting cuts to K-12 education through community fundraisers and advocacy.

That’s because we know adequate funding makes a difference in our public schools.

Just a few weeks ago, an article in The Chronicle highlighted what happened when a few San Francisco schools received additional funding for basic needs. Federal School Improvement Grants allowed nine of San Francisco’s lowest performing schools to bring back librarians, counselors and nurses. The money paid for summer school, teacher training and literacy tutoring programs. Together, these improvements increased English proficiency from 29 to 37 percent in the course of a year. Unfortunately, School Improvement Grants impact only a few schools. Prop. 38 creates reliable new funding for every school, guaranteed.

When Prop. 38 passes, schools in San Francisco will receive about $55 million in 2013-14, increasing annually to $129 million by 2023-24.

Prop. 38 also helps prevent future cuts to schools by setting aside $3 billion annually through 2017 to reduce the state deficit by helping pay down the education bond debt. These savings can be used by the state to increase spending on higher education.

Prop. 38 is the bold step needed right now to transform California’s public schools and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The choice is clear. Want more money for your local school, not Sacramento? Vote yes on Proposition 38.