Saratoga News

SUSD board votes to oppose two initiatives on June ballot

By John Pancharian

The Saratoga Union School District board of trustees on March 24 adopted a resolution to oppose the "Education Efficiency Initiative," also known as 95/5 and Proposition 223. The measure requires all California school districts to limit administrative costs to a maximum of 5 percent of their budget, the other 95 percent going to programs that directly affect student achievement. It also requires heavy fines for any district that does not comply with the limit.

The SUSD board chose to oppose the measure because it defines as administrative any cost that the district cannot prove in an audit actually improved student performance. Thus, costs for gopher control, school bus maintenance and legal fees all fall into the 5 percent. Board members thought the SUSD could not come into compliance without sacrificing needed programs, and the district would face more than $400,000 in fines annually for noncompliance.

The board also voted to oppose the "English As Required Language of Instruction Initiative." Members said they thought the measure would limit their authority to plan and make decisions locally about what is best for Saratoga schools.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]