Saratoga News

Commentary

The schools are everyone's responsibility. Join the community and parents in supporting our children

By Cyndy Riordan

On Feb. 4, the Saratoga Education Foundation will hold its annual Phone-A-Thon. More than 130 parents, school employees and community members will be calling Saratoga residents for their support. The funds raised through SEF allow our district to maintain basic programs, to provide so-called extras such as music and art, and to expand learning opportunities through the use of technology.

Since 1982, SEF has donated over $1.3 million to the school district and hopes to donate $350,000 next year. This money is essential, because while the state funded $3,326 per student, school district expenditures in 1994 totaled $4,133 per student.

High taxes don't mean well-funded schools

In California, taxes do not fully pay for public K-12 education. In the 1970s, the California Supreme Court's Serrano v. Priest decision held that the existing school finance system based on property taxes was inequitable and unconstitutional. This change in the laws increased the dependency of our schools on state funding decisions.

To comply with the Serrano v. Priest decision, the state Legislature created formulas for school financing, which resulted in limiting the funding available to districts like Saratoga. Local property taxes are redistributed by the state according to formulas that restrict the dollars available to each school district. Annual adjustments are intended to eventually equalize funding between districts. However, state-financed "categorical funds" are excluded from Serrano v. Priest equity requirements. Because few Saratoga students qualify for these funds, our district receives a smaller amount than most other districts.

The intent and effect of this financing is that well-off communities do not necessarily have well-off schools. The goal of providing quality public education to Saratoga students has been made more difficult because high property values in our community do not translate into higher levels of funding.

Saratoga residents Mr. and Mrs. N.T. Bradford continue to support SEF, even though their children are grown, because "we believe in schools and education." SEF supporters Don and Betsy Wood, both former teachers with children who attended Cupertino schools, echoed this sentiment.

The Saratoga Education Foundation makes a difference

Dale Borgeson, Redwood Middle School's assistant principal, appreciates the importance of SEF funding, since he previously worked in a district that did not have an education foundation. In that district, three schools had to share the services of a librarian on a rotating basis. Dale enthusiastically describes what SEF has done for Redwood.

"SEF opened the door to technology at Redwood by funding over $70,000 for a computer lab and librarian/media specialist. The foundation's support provided the impetus for other groups in the district to rally with their support, from the school board's decision to allocate $100,000 for technology throughout the district, to support from the PTA." SEF has also been instrumental in coordinating parents' donations through corporate giving programs. Redwood received $12,000 of technology equipment through such a program.

Sue Brooks, principal at Argonaut Elementary, says she believes the SEF-funded music program is essential to a well-rounded curriculum. "The children learn discipline, responsibility and the importance of teamwork when they sing together and practice for upcoming presentations. These are skills they need in the work force to be successful." Sue also appreciates the opportunity for small group learning that SEF funding provides through the Center Program.

Schools are everyone's responsibility

The state government does not fully fund programs that it mandates by law. To comply with the law, the Saratoga Union School District must find and draw upon additional revenue that would otherwise be available for general purposes. Aside from the state-mandated programs, funds from the state and federal government are inadequate to provide for staff development, purchase books and supplies, and repair aging facilities.

Rhonda Tilley, Citicorp's Saratoga branch manager and a supporter of our schools through SEF's Partners in Education Program and through grants, believes the community must support its schools or educational quality will suffer. Strong schools give the community an educated citizenry. SEF programs help connect our children to the community through arts, the environment, science and technology.

Carol Burnett, vice president of Cornish and Carey Realty, explains it this way: "The public, particularly people who earn their living in Silicon Valley industries, place a high value on education. They are willing to pay a premium price for their home if it gets them into certain school systems, such as those in Saratoga and Cupertino."

A community's schools are everyone's responsibility. Join the community and parents in supporting our children and our schools. Help us continue our tradition of excellence!

Cyndy Riordan is president of the Saratoga Education Foundation.