Wednesday, September 9, 2009

School Funding and Advocacy for 2009-2010 and Beyond

The beginning of the school year is such an exciting time, so filled with promise for the future and new horizons just waiting to be conquered by bright and eager budding adults.  As a brand-new SAMOHI parent, with my oldest child entering 9th grade and many years as an SMMUSD parent ahead -- those new horizons seem endless.
 
On vacation this summer on the Oregon Coast this summer, I struck up a conversation with another new high school mom, who had just finished registering her daughter for 9th grade.  However, early in our conversation, I realized that her experience couldn’t be more different than the one I just had at SAMOHI.  Her child’s high school has lost more than half of its students to the national dilemma of declining enrollment.  With only 255 students, more than 50% socioeconomically disadvantaged, this school offers only one foreign language, two AP courses and six athletic options.  Fewer than 15% of graduates move on to college, and acceptance at a four-year college or university is a rarity.   In fact, this high school doesn’t offer the coursework necessary to meet rigorous UC or four-year university requirements.  Struggling students have even fewer resources, with no special education or intervention offerings and, not surprisingly, this school has a drop-out rate just under 50%.


I started to have a familiar feeling, one that I had first felt a few years before when speaking with PTA leaders from other California school districts -- a sort of "embarrassment of riches" when thinking of the array of choices presented to our SMMUSD students. Having spent the last decade of my life advocating to protect the integrity of our own Santa Monica – Malibu public schools, I was well aware of the rigorous college-prep classes at our high schools; the multiple foreign languages, Advanced Placement courses across every discipline, sports and arts groups that routinely win State and National honors, and annual college acceptances at the most prestigious colleges and universities worldwide.  Students who may not be college-bound also find an extraordinary range of support, intervention and, award-winning technical education.


The Oregon public schools began their downward spiral more than 50 years ago, as voters repeatedly failed to support public school funding measures.  Sadly, California public schools are not too far behind.  The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 initiated our own state’s fall from national leadership in achievement and school funding, to its current position as 47th in the nation.  However, this year’s state budget crisis has slashed education funding even more deeply, forcing districts up and down the state to close schools; to eliminate programs, class offerings, student services, and to increase class sizes.


The Difference is Local


So, what explains the difference between SMMUSD schools and other schools withering under the stress of decades of inadequate education funding?  Simply put, the integrity of our schools has been protected to a large degree by local funding.  Local voter-approved education funding measures, and direct funding agreements with the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu account for nearly 20% of SMMUSD’s general fund operating budget – 20% that makes the difference between preparing our kids for the complex future that awaits them …and not.


In reality, SMMUSD’s offerings are anything but “riches”, but are the bare minimum that should be offered to all students for a well-rounded, college-bound education.  The curriculum and services offered to our SMMUSD students now, in 2009, are far less than what we received in California public schools a generation ago.  This educational erosion has been going on for decades, as K-12 public school funding was always the first stop for legislators looking for cuts to balance state budget shortfalls.    In the face of relentless and crippling declines to education funding, basic comprehensive public education, which can allow each student the opportunity to reach his or her potential, may feel like riches in comparison to some other districts, but we as parents know it is not.   SMMUSD’s ability to provide this “bare minimum”, is really quite extraordinary -- and is possible only because our community voters and leaders have made the hard choice to dig deep into their own pockets to make public education a top community priority.  Our communities’ generosity and commitment to public education makes it possible for our schools to retain some of the integrity that had been expected in years past.


Our Schools Today


California’s State Budget was passed this summer and, once again, puts our local schools in jeopardy.  We all know that K-12 education was hit hard by the most recent California State budget.  In response to massive cuts in State funding to our schools, our district’s primary funding source, SMMUSD already cut $4.5 million from its 2009-10 budget. 


But those cuts are just the beginning.  In addition, SMMUSD faces shortfalls of $11 - 12 million over the next 18 months.  To close this shortfall with cuts alone would truly decimate our schools, so Superintendent Cuneo, Chief Financial Officer Jan Maez, all of SMMUSD Senior Staff, the Board of Education, the Financial Oversight Committee and other concerned groups are pulling together to examine all possible solutions. 


What Can You Do?


1. Stay Informed -- The most important thing that every parent can do is to be aware and to stay informed.  Below are some websites that can keep you abreast of current and important information about education funding for SMMUSD and for the State of California.
·      SMMUSD’s District Website page on budget development: http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/0910BudgetInfo.html
·      State Budget analysis from California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr09/yr09rel86.asp
·      Santa Monica Lifelong Learning Community http://smllc.org/newsletter.html
       Community for Excellent Public Schools: www.excellentpublicschools.org


2. Stay Engaged – Great advocacy creates laws, saves lives, and truly changes the world.  Advocacy on behalf of Santa Monica and Malibu schools has a great tradition and impressive track record.  Participate in and join one of the many groups or organizations that support our schools:
·      Join PTA!  Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs (serving all schools) http://www.smmpta.org
·      Attend SMMUSD Board Meetings and read Board of Education Agendas http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html
·      Attend Financial Oversight Committee Meetings http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/financialDAC.html
  Join CEPS!  www.excellentpublicschools.org


3. Stay Positive – Budget cuts of $12 million over 18 months could have lasting impacts, not only for our students, but also for our communities.  However, SMMUSD is peopled with a unique coalition of activists, educators and students who have seen and weathered budget storms before. We have demonstrated the unique and enviable ability to join together in times of crisis.  Creative solutions, collaboration across every perceived barrier, and a commitment to create opportunities out of adversity, will help ensure that Santa Monica-Malibu schools continue to provide all students with the comprehensive public education that they need and deserve.