Hello Parent!
Say NO to Budget Cuts! Come to the San Francisco Town Hall Meeting and show the strength of our parent voices! Power in numbers!
Public Education: Funding our Future SF
Thursday, February 25th 2010
Marina Middle School
6:30-8:30 pm
Free parking, free childcare for 3+
RSVP at www.fundingourfuturesf.com
Spread the word and RSVP on our Facebook site
Volunteers needed! Come to the planning meeting on Wednesday, January 20th 6pm at Sherman Elementary School (1651 Union Street).
Event Details
Enough is enough! San Francisco Unified School District is forecasting budget cuts of 10%-20% for the 2010-2011 school year. It is imperative that we find real short and long-term solutions to this unprecedented budget crisis!
On February 25th, join a coalition of parents and city organizations in a community discussion moderated by Michael Krasny, host of KQED’s award-winning Forum.
• Mark Leno, California State Senator
• Fiona Ma, California State Assembly
• Tom Ammiano, California State Assembly
• Carlos Garcia, SFUSD Superintendent of Schools
• Debbie Look, California PTA
• Jim Lazarus, SF Chamber of Commerce
• Leaders from business and education non-profits
Let's look for funding solutions and ways to bring about long-term change together.
We are Funding Our Future.
The discussion will focus on:
• Creative funding solutions to pending budget cuts
• Smarter long-term budget reform
• Local and state-wide parental advocacy efforts
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
GWHS Protest Information
January 22, 2010
Dear Washington High School Community,
We have been informed that there is a possibility that an organization may be holding small protests at Washington High School on Friday, January 29th from 3:00-3:30 PM. The group’s press release expresses anti-Semitic, anti-gay and hateful language.
I want to emphasize that Washington High School, in no way, supports the discriminatory beliefs or actions of this group. My priority is to ensure that every member of our community feels safe and secure in who they are. I am saddened that a group such as this has targeted our school and I will do everything I can to mitigate this situation. You might observe some extremely offensive comments or signs while they are present.
These picketers will not be allowed onto Washington’s campus. I have been in contact with the SFPD Richmond Station. They will have officers here on passing calls during this time. Anyone who experiences any distress in anticipation of or during this incident should know that Wellness staff will be on site during this time to support you.
It is my understanding that these picketers will be located on 32nd Avenue. Therefore if you would like to avoid the demonstration, please leave the school on that day from the 30th Avenue gate. If their location changes the administrative staff will inform you. If you do come into contact with these picketers, please remember that retaliating and creating a scene will only escalate the situation. The overwhelming advice I have received is that Washington High School should go on with business as usual, and that the greatest counter-action to this group is for
them to be ignored. I urge you not to engage this group in any way, which I know from other communities’ experience will only prolong their stay.
As you all know, January 29th is a Professional Development Day. Students will not be on site that day. But we should be mindful that this group may protest on a day earlier than planned or that students may return to the school for this protest.
Therefore, the Social Studies Department has put together a short power point presentation for the purposes of a teach-in. This power point is meant to inform students of what they may see or experience if they encounter the picketers. This is also a teachable moment to share the context of the Constitution for all involved. The Social Studies Department will be sharing this with their classes in the first part of the week and I will be asking the Practical Arts Department to share this power-point presentation with the 9th graders during the same time frame. Please feel free to share this letter with your students. A student letter will be available in homeroom.
The Washington Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) will be meeting to plan a response to this demonstration with safety and positive action in mind. As their plans unfold I will keep you updated. Safe place posters are available in my office and buttons have been ordered.
Additionally the Wellness Center is also involved and is here to support staff and students.
Media could be present that day. The goal is to portray ourselves calm in contrast to the hate filled message they have.
As more information is available to me, I will share this with you. We will discuss this at the faculty meeting and the Professional Development meeting. My goal is to assure the safety of all faculty, staff and students if they are in attendance on that day.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact me in person or via email.
Sincerely,
Ericka Lovrin
Principal
George Washington High School
Dear Washington High School Community,
We have been informed that there is a possibility that an organization may be holding small protests at Washington High School on Friday, January 29th from 3:00-3:30 PM. The group’s press release expresses anti-Semitic, anti-gay and hateful language.
I want to emphasize that Washington High School, in no way, supports the discriminatory beliefs or actions of this group. My priority is to ensure that every member of our community feels safe and secure in who they are. I am saddened that a group such as this has targeted our school and I will do everything I can to mitigate this situation. You might observe some extremely offensive comments or signs while they are present.
These picketers will not be allowed onto Washington’s campus. I have been in contact with the SFPD Richmond Station. They will have officers here on passing calls during this time. Anyone who experiences any distress in anticipation of or during this incident should know that Wellness staff will be on site during this time to support you.
It is my understanding that these picketers will be located on 32nd Avenue. Therefore if you would like to avoid the demonstration, please leave the school on that day from the 30th Avenue gate. If their location changes the administrative staff will inform you. If you do come into contact with these picketers, please remember that retaliating and creating a scene will only escalate the situation. The overwhelming advice I have received is that Washington High School should go on with business as usual, and that the greatest counter-action to this group is for
them to be ignored. I urge you not to engage this group in any way, which I know from other communities’ experience will only prolong their stay.
As you all know, January 29th is a Professional Development Day. Students will not be on site that day. But we should be mindful that this group may protest on a day earlier than planned or that students may return to the school for this protest.
Therefore, the Social Studies Department has put together a short power point presentation for the purposes of a teach-in. This power point is meant to inform students of what they may see or experience if they encounter the picketers. This is also a teachable moment to share the context of the Constitution for all involved. The Social Studies Department will be sharing this with their classes in the first part of the week and I will be asking the Practical Arts Department to share this power-point presentation with the 9th graders during the same time frame. Please feel free to share this letter with your students. A student letter will be available in homeroom.
The Washington Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) will be meeting to plan a response to this demonstration with safety and positive action in mind. As their plans unfold I will keep you updated. Safe place posters are available in my office and buttons have been ordered.
Additionally the Wellness Center is also involved and is here to support staff and students.
Media could be present that day. The goal is to portray ourselves calm in contrast to the hate filled message they have.
As more information is available to me, I will share this with you. We will discuss this at the faculty meeting and the Professional Development meeting. My goal is to assure the safety of all faculty, staff and students if they are in attendance on that day.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact me in person or via email.
Sincerely,
Ericka Lovrin
Principal
George Washington High School
Monday, January 18, 2010
Budget FAQ
Budget FAQs:
Frequently asked questions about the upcoming SFUSD budget cuts
Many of you have heard about the unprecedented cuts to education funding California is facing, and the resulting cuts for San Francisco Unified School District. We have heard from Superintendent Carlos Garcia that SFUSD must cut 20% from its budget over the next three years. Some of that will impact the district offices and some, our individual school sites. Here are the answers to some of the questions we have been hearing. As you have more questions or comments, please let us know and we will get you the best answers we can. Please contact the San Francisco District PTA Legislation Chair, Michelle Parker, know via email at legislative@sfpta.org or by phone at 661-2543. Some useful links to more information can be found at the bottom of this Q/A list. Please check back for more information as it becomes available.
1. Why are we facing this budget crisis now? The quick answer is that the entire economy is in a slump and our state is feeling it and is passing the pain. The longer answer goes all the way back to 1976. The California Supreme Court in Serrano v Priest found California’s school finance system unconstitutional because it created huge disparities between high wealth areas and low wealth areas. Education funding moved from one based on local property taxes to a state funded system. This was followed by Prop 13 in 1978 that limited property tax rates to 1 per cent of assessed valuaton. California’s education spending was among the highest in the nation and has steadily gone down hill ever since. It doesn’t help that Prop 98 from 1988 hasn’t had the intended effect either. This constitutional amendment guarantees a minimum funding level from state and property taxes for K-14 public schools, and was meant to establish a floor for school funding, but has instead been looked at as a ceiling. In addition, Prop 98 was suspended in bad budget years and there have been disagreements as to what the base level is which the funding formula now works upon. The last major reason we find ourselves in fights for education funding every year, is that our state legislators have a stalemate every summer on passing the budget because it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. California is one of only three states to have this requirement in its constitution.
2. Is this budget problem happening only at some schools? What about middle and high schools? No! This budget cut will affect every school in the city and has already been affecting the rest of the state. It is possible that every school site will see a 10-20% cut. At worst, that means stripping to the bare bones of regular classroom teachers, a principal and a secretary. For others who are not fully enrolled, it will be even worse. Not all the answers are out there yet of exactly what it will look like; there is a big difference between 10% and 20%.
3. What about the stimulus package money? Where is this going? Much of the stimulus package (as a whole, part of the ARRA) is restricted funding, meaning not everything can be used for just anything. Some schools did see some this year from the SFSF (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) with more Title 1 (for free and reduced lunch students) and Special Education funds. The district will be applying for a part of the Race to the Top funds, if the state gets those funds. This won’t be a significant amount in terms of our overall budget and will be aimed mostly at innovation and creativity in reaching low-performing students. Helpful, but not available for general use.
4. What about Prop H and Prop A? Didn't we approve mandated spending? Yes, we are still benefiting from both of these measures. The Prop H fund, passed in 2004 (PEEF- or Public Education Enrichment Fund) is still growing and was put in place to provide sports, libraries, arts, music, early childhood programs and other district uses. Prop A (The Quality Teacher and Education Act), passed in 2008, goes primarily to teachers. It is because we have both of these funds, and because of the foresight of San Francisco residents in supporting the Prop G in 2003 (aka the Rainy Day Fund) that San Francisco hasn’t felt the full effects of the budget cuts up until now.
5. How come California appears to spend so little on education vs. say Rhode Island? Because we do. California is currently 47th in the nation for per pupil spending. We spend an average of $7,571 per student, behind states like Mississippi, Florida and Idaho, while the highest spending states (Vermont, $15,139) spend about twice as much per student. California education funding is largely determined at the state level and a 2/3 vote is required to pass the state budget and increase revenue. (In other states, a much higher percentage of school funding comes from local property taxes.) Links to reports that discuss this can be found on this website.
6. Can SFUSD reduce its budget at the administration level vs. the school level? Yes. Superintendent Garcia has already said they will cut as deeply as possible next year of the 3 year cut projections, and plans to have as many of those cuts as possible at the district level, so as to have as little impact on the students as possible. That is why the range given for school site cuts (10-20%) is so large. They are moving line by line to do the best they can to meet student needs.
7. Will we be increasing class sizes next year? What grade levels might be affected? Superintendent Garcia has said that class sizes will likely go up again, but hasn’t given a number. They will know more in January/February. The higher class sizes are likely to affect transitional grades the most: kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades. Past that is still unknown.
8. What can we do about this at our own school sites? Get connected! Sign up for PTA Legislative alerts at http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/legislative-alerts.cfm to find out when there are urgent opportunities to advocate for education and children’s issues. Become a member of the city-wide “A Team”, a group of parents and teachers working together to find solutions and to create an action plan to make our voices heard. Create an advocacy or legislation chair in your PTA or PTO and get connected into the district PTA network for training and ways to help. Get organized at your own school: get parents, teachers and administrators together to talk about the right plans and focus for your community. We must tell our legislators that enough is enough! It is time to invest in children. Provide parents with messages to convey to our legislators (which this district network can help you with), actions to take, and events to attend. Our advocacy is to make sure the state meets its responsibility to pay for teachers and on-going public expenses. Remember, no amount of fundraisers will ever make up for adequate funding in the state budget.
1. Do you have more questions? Please contact Michelle Parker through the PTA email: legislative@sfpta.org
2. Where can I go for more information?
• The California State PTA has lots of great resources and information on legislation, advocacy, issues and getting organized at your school www.capta.org. Specific relevant links:
1. California State PTA Legislation Page http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/current-legislation.cfm
2. Local PTA Advocacy http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/local-advocacy.cfm
3. http://www.pta.org/take_action.asp for information on advocacy at the federal level
4. Online advocacy toolkit http://www.pta.org/3020.asp
• check out www.edsource.org for detailed information on everything you ever wanted to know about California education finance and policy- a fantastic resource! Some of their helpful reports are listed below:
1. “New Federal Education Policies: California’s Challenge” gives the details surrounding the impact of the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) on California’s schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
2. “School Finance 2008-2009: Fiscal Crisis Meets Political Gridlock” explains the major features of the education budget and some of the complex political and economic factors behind it http://www.edsource.org/pub_SchFin08-09_report.html
3. “Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California” provides background on schools districts’ current options for raising their own revenues and describes some of the ongoing discussions about ways to allow communities to raise more funds for their schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
4. “Proposition 98 Sets a Minimum Funding Guarantee for Education” is a short fact sheet http://www.edsource.org/pub_prop98.html
• The SFUSD budget situation “Demystified for the Average Joe” (presentation given to principals this past fall) http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/budget/BudgetPresentationforPrincipals'Meeting.pdf
• “Students First: Renewing Hope for California” The Official Report from the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence. You will find the executive summary, the full report, as well as a document with answers to frequently asked questions about the education debate in California. http://www.edsource.org/reform_GCEE.html
• California Teachers Association at www.cta.org and http://www.standupforschools.org/
• California Budget Project does independent analysis to improve the lives of low- and middle-income Californians and has a sections with reports on education in their left hand column www.cbp.org. Some great ones are:
1. “How California School’s Get Their Money”- provides an introduction to K-12 school district funding http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090202_SFF_HowSchoolsGetTheirMoney.pdf
2. “How Does California Compare”- a report about how education is funded in California, the trends in funding and how it is different in other states http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2007/070926_how_does_ca_compare.pdf
3. “How California’s School Districts Spend Their Funds” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2008/080506_HowDistrictsSpendtheirFunds.pdf
4. “School Finance in California and the Proposition 98 Guarantee” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2006/0604_prop98.pdf
5. “What Will the Federal Economic Recovery Act Mean for California’s Schools?” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090709_SFF_ARRA.pdf
• The most recent LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) Report on California’s Fiscal Outlook for the 2010-2011 Budget http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2143 The LAO is California’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor
• Powerpoint presentation on impacting legislators (scroll down to “Impacting Legislators” under “Archived Brown Bag Lunch Trainings” http://familyvoicesofca.org/?q=node/7
• Tips for legislative advocacy http://www.connectforkids.org/node/2694
Frequently asked questions about the upcoming SFUSD budget cuts
Many of you have heard about the unprecedented cuts to education funding California is facing, and the resulting cuts for San Francisco Unified School District. We have heard from Superintendent Carlos Garcia that SFUSD must cut 20% from its budget over the next three years. Some of that will impact the district offices and some, our individual school sites. Here are the answers to some of the questions we have been hearing. As you have more questions or comments, please let us know and we will get you the best answers we can. Please contact the San Francisco District PTA Legislation Chair, Michelle Parker, know via email at legislative@sfpta.org or by phone at 661-2543. Some useful links to more information can be found at the bottom of this Q/A list. Please check back for more information as it becomes available.
1. Why are we facing this budget crisis now? The quick answer is that the entire economy is in a slump and our state is feeling it and is passing the pain. The longer answer goes all the way back to 1976. The California Supreme Court in Serrano v Priest found California’s school finance system unconstitutional because it created huge disparities between high wealth areas and low wealth areas. Education funding moved from one based on local property taxes to a state funded system. This was followed by Prop 13 in 1978 that limited property tax rates to 1 per cent of assessed valuaton. California’s education spending was among the highest in the nation and has steadily gone down hill ever since. It doesn’t help that Prop 98 from 1988 hasn’t had the intended effect either. This constitutional amendment guarantees a minimum funding level from state and property taxes for K-14 public schools, and was meant to establish a floor for school funding, but has instead been looked at as a ceiling. In addition, Prop 98 was suspended in bad budget years and there have been disagreements as to what the base level is which the funding formula now works upon. The last major reason we find ourselves in fights for education funding every year, is that our state legislators have a stalemate every summer on passing the budget because it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. California is one of only three states to have this requirement in its constitution.
2. Is this budget problem happening only at some schools? What about middle and high schools? No! This budget cut will affect every school in the city and has already been affecting the rest of the state. It is possible that every school site will see a 10-20% cut. At worst, that means stripping to the bare bones of regular classroom teachers, a principal and a secretary. For others who are not fully enrolled, it will be even worse. Not all the answers are out there yet of exactly what it will look like; there is a big difference between 10% and 20%.
3. What about the stimulus package money? Where is this going? Much of the stimulus package (as a whole, part of the ARRA) is restricted funding, meaning not everything can be used for just anything. Some schools did see some this year from the SFSF (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) with more Title 1 (for free and reduced lunch students) and Special Education funds. The district will be applying for a part of the Race to the Top funds, if the state gets those funds. This won’t be a significant amount in terms of our overall budget and will be aimed mostly at innovation and creativity in reaching low-performing students. Helpful, but not available for general use.
4. What about Prop H and Prop A? Didn't we approve mandated spending? Yes, we are still benefiting from both of these measures. The Prop H fund, passed in 2004 (PEEF- or Public Education Enrichment Fund) is still growing and was put in place to provide sports, libraries, arts, music, early childhood programs and other district uses. Prop A (The Quality Teacher and Education Act), passed in 2008, goes primarily to teachers. It is because we have both of these funds, and because of the foresight of San Francisco residents in supporting the Prop G in 2003 (aka the Rainy Day Fund) that San Francisco hasn’t felt the full effects of the budget cuts up until now.
5. How come California appears to spend so little on education vs. say Rhode Island? Because we do. California is currently 47th in the nation for per pupil spending. We spend an average of $7,571 per student, behind states like Mississippi, Florida and Idaho, while the highest spending states (Vermont, $15,139) spend about twice as much per student. California education funding is largely determined at the state level and a 2/3 vote is required to pass the state budget and increase revenue. (In other states, a much higher percentage of school funding comes from local property taxes.) Links to reports that discuss this can be found on this website.
6. Can SFUSD reduce its budget at the administration level vs. the school level? Yes. Superintendent Garcia has already said they will cut as deeply as possible next year of the 3 year cut projections, and plans to have as many of those cuts as possible at the district level, so as to have as little impact on the students as possible. That is why the range given for school site cuts (10-20%) is so large. They are moving line by line to do the best they can to meet student needs.
7. Will we be increasing class sizes next year? What grade levels might be affected? Superintendent Garcia has said that class sizes will likely go up again, but hasn’t given a number. They will know more in January/February. The higher class sizes are likely to affect transitional grades the most: kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades. Past that is still unknown.
8. What can we do about this at our own school sites? Get connected! Sign up for PTA Legislative alerts at http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/legislative-alerts.cfm to find out when there are urgent opportunities to advocate for education and children’s issues. Become a member of the city-wide “A Team”, a group of parents and teachers working together to find solutions and to create an action plan to make our voices heard. Create an advocacy or legislation chair in your PTA or PTO and get connected into the district PTA network for training and ways to help. Get organized at your own school: get parents, teachers and administrators together to talk about the right plans and focus for your community. We must tell our legislators that enough is enough! It is time to invest in children. Provide parents with messages to convey to our legislators (which this district network can help you with), actions to take, and events to attend. Our advocacy is to make sure the state meets its responsibility to pay for teachers and on-going public expenses. Remember, no amount of fundraisers will ever make up for adequate funding in the state budget.
1. Do you have more questions? Please contact Michelle Parker through the PTA email: legislative@sfpta.org
2. Where can I go for more information?
• The California State PTA has lots of great resources and information on legislation, advocacy, issues and getting organized at your school www.capta.org. Specific relevant links:
1. California State PTA Legislation Page http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/current-legislation.cfm
2. Local PTA Advocacy http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/local-advocacy.cfm
3. http://www.pta.org/take_action.asp for information on advocacy at the federal level
4. Online advocacy toolkit http://www.pta.org/3020.asp
• check out www.edsource.org for detailed information on everything you ever wanted to know about California education finance and policy- a fantastic resource! Some of their helpful reports are listed below:
1. “New Federal Education Policies: California’s Challenge” gives the details surrounding the impact of the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) on California’s schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
2. “School Finance 2008-2009: Fiscal Crisis Meets Political Gridlock” explains the major features of the education budget and some of the complex political and economic factors behind it http://www.edsource.org/pub_SchFin08-09_report.html
3. “Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California” provides background on schools districts’ current options for raising their own revenues and describes some of the ongoing discussions about ways to allow communities to raise more funds for their schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
4. “Proposition 98 Sets a Minimum Funding Guarantee for Education” is a short fact sheet http://www.edsource.org/pub_prop98.html
• The SFUSD budget situation “Demystified for the Average Joe” (presentation given to principals this past fall) http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/budget/BudgetPresentationforPrincipals'Meeting.pdf
• “Students First: Renewing Hope for California” The Official Report from the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence. You will find the executive summary, the full report, as well as a document with answers to frequently asked questions about the education debate in California. http://www.edsource.org/reform_GCEE.html
• California Teachers Association at www.cta.org and http://www.standupforschools.org/
• California Budget Project does independent analysis to improve the lives of low- and middle-income Californians and has a sections with reports on education in their left hand column www.cbp.org. Some great ones are:
1. “How California School’s Get Their Money”- provides an introduction to K-12 school district funding http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090202_SFF_HowSchoolsGetTheirMoney.pdf
2. “How Does California Compare”- a report about how education is funded in California, the trends in funding and how it is different in other states http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2007/070926_how_does_ca_compare.pdf
3. “How California’s School Districts Spend Their Funds” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2008/080506_HowDistrictsSpendtheirFunds.pdf
4. “School Finance in California and the Proposition 98 Guarantee” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2006/0604_prop98.pdf
5. “What Will the Federal Economic Recovery Act Mean for California’s Schools?” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090709_SFF_ARRA.pdf
• The most recent LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) Report on California’s Fiscal Outlook for the 2010-2011 Budget http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2143 The LAO is California’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor
• Powerpoint presentation on impacting legislators (scroll down to “Impacting Legislators” under “Archived Brown Bag Lunch Trainings” http://familyvoicesofca.org/?q=node/7
• Tips for legislative advocacy http://www.connectforkids.org/node/2694
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