Publication Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Guest Opinion: To be so close, yet so far, really hurts
Guest Opinion: To be so close, yet so far, really hurts
(December 15, 2004) by Cathy Kroymann
To be so close to passing the parcel tax, yet so far away from a solution to the Palo Alto Unified School District's budget crisis was certainly disappointing to everyone who worked so hard to ensure a positive outcome for Measure I (and the children of Palo Alto) in the November election.
Yet after the final vote was counted, it was heartening to realize that more than 22,300 voters supported the parcel tax, just 223 votes shy of the necessary two thirds required for it to pass.
This is an affirmation that the district is headed in the right direction. It is extremely gratifying to know our community strongly supports its students and a focus on educational excellence.
Now that there has been time for reflection, one thing is clear: The district still needs additional funding to maintain educational programs and to address budget reductions due to unpredictable property-tax revenue, state budget cuts, increased costs and a growing enrollment.
School board members must now re-examine all the options and determine how to move forward -- how to find the "1 percent solution" that will put us over the top when we try again on a parcel tax.
It's not that we haven't been working hard on our financial challenges -- regardless of what some critics may say. In the past two years, the district has reduced its budget by $6.5 million while growing by approximately 6 percent or 600 students. Since enrollment growth is not funded due to the district's Basic Aid status, each new student means less revenue available per child.
Continued budget cuts threaten the class-size reduction program that many of us struggled so hard to achieve. Cuts also jeopardize the rich curriculum and programs that have for decades been the hallmark of our district. And they impact our ability to attract and retain the best teachers.
Our program and our teachers are central to the success of our students. Our community demands this high quality educational program, one which few other districts in California are able to provide. With the addition of our 2001 parcel-tax funds, our K-10 class-size-reduction program provides one of the best student/teacher ratios in the state.
Despite past cutbacks, our district still stands out from others by offering music, art, physical education and a library program at the elementary level. In middle and high schools we offer a seven-period day with a broad and rich elective program. And we have a counseling program with a ratio of 400 students per counselor compared to the state average of 700 to one. Without a parcel-tax increase or additional funding sources, the success of Palo Alto's children will be at risk.
We recognize that our wonderful teachers and staff -- dedicated to providing quality education -- have endured two years of budget reductions and no increases to the salary schedule. Many staff members have taken on additional job responsibilities as a result of the budget reductions, and deserve recognition and thanks for their continued commitment during this difficult time. It is imperative for us to continue offering competitive salaries or we will fail to attract and retain the best and brightest teachers and staff.
As we confront this year's budget challenges, I am heartened by the strengthened working relationship with the new leadership of the teachers' union. And I greatly appreciate the continued strong support and leadership from the classified-staff union, which is crucial. Everyone is now working together in a collaborative effort to address difficult budget issues.
With more than 66 percent of voters in favor of Measure I on Nov. 2, it's great to know so many people in our community value education. We were less than 1 percent shy of success.
With just a fraction more effort in a probable June re-vote on a parcel tax we will assure continued quality in our schools. Our hard-working teachers and staff deserve no less. Our children deserve no less.
Cathy Kroymann is 2004-05 president of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education. She can be e-mailed at ckroymann@pausd.org.
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