School boards are lining up to oppose voucher initiative
By Michelle Alaimo
Local school districts are taking a No stance on Proposition 38, that would give parents a $4,000 school voucher per child to help pay for private schooling. A recent poll shows that many voters agree that Proposition 38 is not the way to go.
A Public Policy Institute of California poll released on Sept. 19, indicates that 36 percent of those polled are for vouchers while 53 percent are against the Draper school voucher plan.
Timothy Draper, former California State Board of Education member and a multimillionaire, is sponsoring Proposition 38 that will appear on the Nov. 7 California ballot. He has pledged up to $40 million to help support the campaign.
"Prop. 38 finally gives parents the chance to rescue their children who are in failing schools," Chris Bertelli, spokesperson for 38 Yes School Vouchers 2000 campaign, said. The group's supporters include parents, Draper and other organizations, including some minority groups.
However, many groups and organizations, including school boards throughout the state, the California Teachers Association and the League of Woman Voters, support the No Vouchers 2000 campaign, which is against the voucher measure.
"Prop. 38 is like rolling loaded dice," said Jon Lenzner, spokesman for No Vouchers 2000. "It's a risky experiment."
Lenzner explains that presently more than 700,000 students in California attend private schools. If Proposition 38 passes, taxpayers would instantly have to hand out nearly $3 billion to cover vouchers. Coupled with students who would leave public schools for private--taking the funding with them--the affect on school funding and taxpayers would be tremendous, Lenzner said.
Proposition 98, passed by voters in 1988, requires approximately 40 percent of the state budget be allocated for public schools, including community colleges and state schools for the deaf and handicapped. If Proposition 38 passes, Proposition 98 would be repealed if the state's per pupil funding reaches or exceeds the national average, with only kindergarten through 12th-grade schools receiving funding.
The Los Gatos Union School District already adopted a formal resolution against Proposition 38 at its Sept. 12 board meeting, stating many of the same reasons cited by the No Vouchers 2000 committee. In accordance with district policy, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District will not adopt a resolution for or against Proposition 38, Superintendent Cynthia Ranii said.
The California State Board of Education unanimously voted to oppose Proposition 38 in July. Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin described Proposition 38 "as the most irresponsible voucher initiative that has ever been presented to any group of citizens."
However, the 38 Yes School Vouchers campaign states on its website that Proposition 38 saves taxpayers billions of dollars over time; requires no tax increases; provides financial and educational accountability to parents and students; and claims that voucher schools cannot discriminate and must certify that their course requirements meet those required by California colleges and universities.
Bertelli adds that students in vouchers schools are required to take standardized tests and the results would be available for parents to analyze. He adds that if voters pass Proposition 38, it would provide "new and stronger funding guarantees for public schools."
The whole issue may seem like dejà vu to California voters. In 1993, voters overwhelmingly voted against school vouchers, but Bertelli seemed optimistic that there would not be a repeat defeat. Bertelli explained that the California economy is extremely different than in 1993, but that many schools have continued to fail and that education is at the top of every voter's mind.
If approved by voters, Proposition 38 could become effective as early as July 1, 2001, for kindergarten students with remaining grades phased in over a four-year period.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
