By Denise Jennex
CTA, with the support of its members, will be collecting signatures to put the Improving Classroom Education Act initiative on the November 2004 ballot. The Act amends the state constitution to establish a fund which is divided into K-12 (two-thirds) and preschool (one third) portions.
K-12: Two-thirds of the fund is for K-12 education to be used only for the following purposes: reducing class size in grades K-12; purchasing textbooks, instruction materials, supplies and equipment; providing salaries and benefits that will encourage qualified individuals to become and remain teachers in California’s public schools; and, providing training for teachers.
No money may be used for administration and an annual audit of how the funds are expended is required.
Universal Access to Voluntary Preschool: One third of the fund is to be used to provide voluntary universal preschool in all elementary and unified school districts for children one year prior to kindergarten. High school districts may provide preschool for the children of pupils enrolled in their district.
Initiative Funding Mechanism
The initiative raises the property tax on COMMERCIAL property from 1% to 1.55%. Residential real property, agricultural property, open space and historically significant property, timberland and government property are exempt. It will NOT raise property taxes for California homeowners.
What Can I Do To Help Improve Public Education?
CTA will be mailing to your home more information in the coming weeks about this initiative. Your Faculty Representatives will be asking for your help in collecting signatures from registered voters to help qualify this initiative for the November ballot. If every member collected two signatures, the goal of 598,105 signatures will easily be met. BTA’s goal will be to collect 3,000 signatures by the middle of March. There will be prizes given to the top three people who collect the most valid signatures.