Board of Education Votes to Endorse California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 11, 2018) - The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education stands with Schools and Communities First, a statewide alliance of community, faith and labor organizations, and endorses the ballot measure that would restore funding to schools and community services. The initiative would reform the commercial property tax loophole created by Proposition 13 in 1978. Passing this measure in 2020 is estimated to bring $1.4 billion into Los Angeles County schools.
The following are statements from the author of the resolution, Board President Mónica García, and the co-sponsors, Board Members Dr. Richard Vladovic and Kelly Gonez.
“California currently ranks 41st in per-pupil spending, putting a severe strain on students, families, and teachers of our K-12 schools and community colleges. This initiative will help to boost that funding, especially in the poorest and most needy school districts. It will allow us to have smaller class sizes and restore funding for programs that have been cut in the sciences, arts and music. We are grateful to the alliance of over 200 labor and community organizations fighting to increase resources toward more adequacy and equity in California.”
– Board President Mónica García
“It is abysmal that California – one of the wealthiest states in the nation and the fifth-largest economy in the world, in fact – ranks consistently near the bottom of per-pupil education funding. We need to address the extreme inequity in our commercial property tax structure and generate the funds we need to give our students the quality of education necessary to remain one of the largest economies on the planet.”
– Board Member Dr. Richard Vladovic
“Our students and our schools deserve so much more than we’re currently getting in per-pupil funding from the State of California. When I talk to parents, teachers and school leaders, their biggest concern is the lack of funding and resources for our schools. Our schools feel it every day. Structural reforms like this will help increase investment in public education so that all kids get the high-quality education they deserve.”
– Board Member Kelly Gonez
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