With public school budgeting, it's often the cart before the horse. This year, like the past few years, school districts in Lamorinda are faced with developing the next year's school budgets without a clear picture of how much funding they will receive from the State.
The Governor has proposed flat funding for kindergarten through 12th grade schools, but the State's ability to provide this funding is contingent upon the extension of the current hike on income, sales, and vehicle taxes which are due to expire in June. Brown has proposed a June ballot measure to extend these taxes for another five years. The tax extension will require 2/3 of the State legislators to approve placement on the ballot and a simple majority of the electorate for passage.
At press time, the battle to get the tax extension measure on the June ballot is being waged in Sacramento. In the meantime, local school districts are forced to plan for the worst case scenario. Districts must notify certificated staff, teachers and administrators, of potential lay-offs by March 15th.
A. Firth
Read all about the our school districts' budgets on page A9
The Governor has proposed flat funding for kindergarten through 12th grade schools, but the State's ability to provide this funding is contingent upon the extension of the current hike on income, sales, and vehicle taxes which are due to expire in June. Brown has proposed a June ballot measure to extend these taxes for another five years. The tax extension will require 2/3 of the State legislators to approve placement on the ballot and a simple majority of the electorate for passage.
At press time, the battle to get the tax extension measure on the June ballot is being waged in Sacramento. In the meantime, local school districts are forced to plan for the worst case scenario. Districts must notify certificated staff, teachers and administrators, of potential lay-offs by March 15th.
A. Firth
Read all about the our school districts' budgets on page A9
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA