PTA, Parent Group Leaders Say Yes on 30 & 38

To the Editor:

We are writing to urge the entire community to vote YES ON 30 and YES ON 38 during this Presidential election. Are these perfect pieces of legislation? No. But they will provide critical funding that we need for public education.   

We are encouraging a "Yes" on both propositions, because voting for both increases the likelihood that one will pass. At this time, neither is polling particularly well. Prop 30 is currently polling at 48% YES and Prop 38 is currently polling at 39% YES. A divided vote will make it more difficult to achieve the simple majority (more than 50%) needed for passage of either initiative.  

If Prop 30 fails, the state budget deficit is $5.4 billion dollars. What would that look like for us here in West Contra Costa Unified School District? According to Superintendent Bruce Harter, the district would lose about $450 per student or about $12 million for this year. School would continue as currently structured through the end of the 2012-13 school year, but we would spend our entire special reserve this year and would have an $18 million deficit for 2013-14. The Board would be faced with either cutting 16 days from school calendar, eliminating 150 jobs or requiring a 7.5% salary rollback for all employees.  

Could state tax revenues come up and somewhat mitigate the deficit?  Yes.  Could Sacramento cobble together another plan? Maybe. But please don't chance it.  Please vote in favor of our kids and our community. Vote YES ON 30 and YES ON 38 this Tuesday.

• Romy Douglass President, Kensington Hilltop Elementary School PTA
• Nathalie van Linder, Co-President, Kensington Education Foundation
• Dennis Hartigan-O'Connor, Co-President, Kensington Education Foundation
• Evangeline Ireland, President, Portola Middle School PTSA
• Nancy Gordon, President, El Cerrito High School PTSA
• Cindy Mekjian, Harding PTA President
• Farimont Elementary School PTA