Public Education

By Patricia Hoffman, SMRR Sterring Committee

Public Education has been an important part of the SMRR Platform for almost two decades. This is because of the deep commitment to public education that our members have always had. Our involvement in the schools has provided leadership in strengthening the partnership between the Schools and the City and in seeing that the children in our community get the education and services that they need. This includes the tradition of direct City financial support starting in the mid-1980’s.

We have never worked alone. Our whole community has consistently shown it cares about our schools, our students and our future. Our voters have passed a remarkable number of school bonds and parcel taxes by as much as 80%. Therefore it is a little discouraging that at this time each year we find ourselves in the situation where the funding for education is inadequate. This year we are watching as money that could be used for education is being sucked into the power grid. In addition to the parcel tax, the Education Foundation, lobbying efforts on the State and Federal levels, private fundraising, grant writing and many more activities attempting to create an adequate revenue stream, education activists are again asking City Council for an increase in on-going funding.

It is sad that our entire community says how much we value our teachers and yet, even with the latest raise, teachers are not paid nearly enough for the job that they do. Our schools also lack adequate support staff to maintain the teachers and classrooms to best serve our kids. Our schools have far too many unmet needs to be able to quantify in a short article - but there is some good news along with the bad.

We are in a position to make great strides forward. The three new board members, Jose Escarce, Michael Jordan and Maria Leon-Vazquez have reenergized the Board. There is a nationwide search going on for a new Superintendent. The current governor really seems to care about education. The Teacher’s Union is working cooperatively with the Board to create solutions. Importantly, there is a heightened awareness by the public of the need for the long-term reliability of adequate funds.