SUSD district taking a stand against voucher proposition
By Michelle Alaimo
The Saratoga Union School district, at its Oct. 10 board meetings, joined many other local school districts throughout the state in taking a No stance against Proposition 38, which would give parents a $4,000 school voucher per child to help pay for private schooling.
The Saratoga-Los Gatos Joint Union High School district will not be taking a position on the controversial measure, according to Superintendent Cynthia Ranii, who said that the district has a policy against taking such stands.
In opposing the proposition, SUSD board members cited many of the same reasons put forth by the No Vouchers 2000 Committee.
A recent poll shows that many voters agree that Proposition 38 is not the way to go.
A Public Policy Institute of California released a poll on Sept. 19, indicating 36 percent of those polled are for vouchers while 53 percent are against the Draper school voucher plan.
Timothy Draper, former California State Board of Education member and millionaire, is sponsoring Proposition 38, that will appear on the California ballot on Nov. 7. He has pledged up to $40 million to help support the campaign.
"Prop. 38 finally gives parents the chance to rescue their children who are in failing schools," said Chris Bertelli, spokesman for 38 Yes School Vouchers 2000 campaign. The group's supporters include parents, Draper and other organizations, including some minority groups.
However, many groups and organizations, including school boards throughout the state, the California Teachers Association and the League of Woman Voters support the No Vouchers 2000 campaign, that is against the voucher measure.
"Prop. 38 is like rolling loaded dice," said Jon Lenzner, spokesman for No Vouchers 2000. "It's a risky experiment."
Lenzner explains that currently more than 700,000 students in California attend private schools. With the passage of Proposition 38, taxpayers would instantly have to pay out nearly $3 billion to cover vouchers. Couple that with students who would leave public schools for private--taking the funding with them--the effect on school funding and taxpayers would be tremendous, Lenzner said.
Proposition 98, passed by voters in 1988, requires approximately 40 percent of the state budget be allocated for public schools, including community colleges and state schools for the deaf and handicapped. If Proposition 38 passes, Proposition 98 would be repealed if the state's per pupil funding reaches or exceeds the national average, with only kindergarten through 12th-grade schools receiving funding.
The California State Board of Education unanimously voted to oppose Proposition 38 in July. Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin described Proposition 38 "as the most irresponsible voucher initiative that has ever been presented to any group of citizens."
The whole issue may seem like dejà vu to California voters. In 1993, voters overwhelmingly voted against school vouchers, but Bertelli seems optimistic that there would not be a repeat defeat because the economy is stronger, and he claims schools are still failing.
If approved by voters, Proposition 38 could be in effect as early as July 1, 2001, for kindergarten students, with remaining grades phased in over a four-year period.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
