Albany Schools Could Lose $1.2 million if Stalemate between Gov. and Republicans Prevents Ballot Measure

Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to save K-12 public schools from steep cuts has run into a Republican roadblock, leaving school districts scrambling to reformulate their budget plans and to predict a possible $1.2 million shortfall.

Albany schools told parents in an email Friday afternoon that the governor’s proposal to ask voters to renew some temporary tax increases to help solve the state’s deficit is looking uncertain.

She wrote that if a measure asking voters to extend the taxes doesn’t go on the June ballot or doesn’t get passed, and the state relies only on cuts to close its deficit, "We expect to see a State budget that will force AUSD to cut at least an additional $1.2 million."

A battle has been raging in Sacramento between Gov. Brown and the state's Republican legislators, with Brown proposing a mix of half cuts and half tax increases to close the state's gaping $26 billion budget deficit, and Republicans saying they won't accept taxes as part of the deal. In recent weeks, Republicans balked at even putting a ballot measure before voters on whether to extend the temporary taxes.

Some Albany parents watching Sacramento are afraid that new cuts to education will mean crowded classrooms and losing such things as school libraries and physical education.

"The thought of my little fellow in a classroom with 27, 28, 29, or more kids and one teacher—while he’s trying to learn how to read!—scares and saddens me," wrote parent Holly Taines White in an email. She has a first grader and a child about to enter kindergarten in the fall.

"I’m also very concerned that huge decreases in funding could lead to the loss of positions like librarians and PE teachers. Measures like that have already been taken in other districts. In addition, many other districts have had to impose furlough days, which are a huge hardship for teachers, staff, kids and families alike," she said.

In Albany, community fundraising has helped, but is unlikely to fill a $1.2 million hole.

Taines White to call and write state legislators to ask them to let voters decide about tax extensions. She directs people to www.educateourstate.org or to join the California PTA’s effort.

But legislators representing Albany are already convinced, and trying to get the tax extensions on the ballot.

Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito) even interrupted a speech she gave to environmentalists last week to plead the case for education.

"There are some very heavy issues facing California right now," she said. "I  know none of you want to abandon public education, but it is hanging by a thread."

She told people to get involved and press for the the tax extensions to pay for keeping education solvent.

"These added revenues are just extensions of taxes you and I already pay," Skinner said. "Well, Republicans won’t even let us put it on the ballot."

California has been hit hard by the recession, causing state tax revenues to plummet. Brown has proposed $12.5 billion in cuts and about $13 billion in revenue increases from extending three tax increases that were set to expire in July: a 1¢ increase in the sales tax; a quarter of a percent increase in the income tax; and a higher vehicle license fee. 

But Republicans, sticking to a no-new-taxes platform, are blocking the governor's efforts to place the tax extension measure before voters.

"Contact your friends and relatives that live in Republican districts and ask them to tell their legislators to let them vote on this," Skinner said, when asked what her constituents should do.

The issue has galvanized human rights and education groups, in part because 22,000 teachers in California have already received provisional layoff notices, pending what happens with state funding. 

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights has named five Republicans who might be influenced to allow the tax measures go before voters.

"We support extending the revenue that keeps teachers in the classroom. But a group of legislators are standing in the way, refusing to put the tax extensions on the ballot. Join us today in calling on these 5 Senators to stop holding up the budget process:

• Senator Tom Berryhill (R) - Modesto
• Senator Sam Blakesee (R) - San Luis Obispo
• Senator Anthony Cannella (R) - Ceres
• Senator Bill Emmerson (R) – Hemet
• Senator Tom Harman (R) - Huntington Beach"

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson also has called on people to become more informed of the "dire" situation facing the state’s schools if the tax extensions are not passed.

In a letter he sent county school superintendents two weeks ago, he said. "As you know, should the state budget resolution require an all-cuts solution, our schools could face an additional $4.5 billion in cuts — a dire situation for our schools already facing a state of fiscal emergency.

"Are most of your districts producing layoff and program reduction plans based on the 'all-cuts' budget assumption?" he asked.

As many as 22,000 teachers in California have received provisional pink slips or layoff notices in recent months as school districts prepare for the worst.

That is on top of 32,000 teachers who lost their jobs over the last three years, according to an estimate by the California Federation of Teachers. Torlakson said $18 billion has been cut from education over the past three years in California.

In Albany, while no pink slips have been issued this year, the district school board this month gave the superintendent authority to "release" teachers.

With little fanfare at its March 1 meeting, the Board of Education passed a resolution authorizing the superintendent to notify some 46 teachers who are temporary certified employees (mostly because they have not yet passed their probationary period) that they have been released, an action it takes every year with temporary employees, for next year. 

The superintendent has not yet used that authority, but the list includes some well-loved teachers at every grade level, including some of the favorite science and music teachers.

Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, give editor Emilie Raguso a call at 510-459-8325 or shoot her an e-mail at emilier@patch.com.