Offering Quality Learning Opportunities to Students

By L. L. "Vern" Weber

The primary focus must be on maintaining and improving the ongoing, core educational programs, which are funded primarily by revenue limit and categorical funds, providing qualified faculty and support staff, and maximizing positive student/teacher interaction. Enhancing educational opportunities to students through a community-supported parcel tax would be beneficial, provided that the programs funded are sound and cost effective.

The recent events involving the parcel tax and the transfer of Acalanes Principal Keith Schmidt were major disruptions to the schools and communities. And the frustration of the teachers with the district board and administration, which escalated to the point of the Acalanes Education Association taking a "no confidence" position, makes it clear that much must be done to restore trust and again create a positive learning environment.

While the previous parcel tax was badly handled, coming closely on the heels of the March primary and without adequate explanation of why a 79% increase in funding, there is still time to take it to the voters for renewal. To build community support for passage of a parcel tax, it is imperative that information be presented specifying the amount of money to be raised, the duration of the tax, the specific educational uses, and what the benefits would be to the students. There should also be a commitment to make annual evaluations of the programs funded. In other words, full disclosure and follow-up.

If the parcel tax is again taken to the voters, and it were to lose, the district would have no alternative but to phase out most of the programs it funded. If the parcel tax failed, it would be desirable if there could be an orderly phase-out of the programs rather than immediately dropping them. To do so, however, there would have to be a re-direction of reserves and/or other district resources, which would impact negotiations. A phase-out program would therefore require a buy-in by employee groups.