Each school district in Calaveras County was represented and each representative made a small presentation as to their particular districts current funding, budgets and forecasts for the next year or more. Both Vallecito and Mark Twain stated their 3 year budget reflects potential budget cuts based on non-passage of either Proposition and allows for sufficient reserves to continue functionality while Calaveras Unified and Bret Harte expressed budgetary concerns with respect to reserves after the 12/13 fiscal year.
Each district was vocal in their agreement with Bret Harte Superintendent/Principal Michael Chimente's statement, "we try to keep the cuts as far away from the kids" as possible. Each district reiterating their sole purpose "to educate our future."
According to graphs prepared by CCOE Claudia Davis, the "cumulative loss in education base funding to Calaveras County schools is over $33 million over a five year period" from the 08/09 school year to current 12/13 school year.
While the presentation focused on the Propositions and the financial aspects of each, it was also pointed out that though a Proposition may pass "it may be a short reprieve" as in January 2013 the Governor needs to begin making more cuts to the State budget to balance it by June 2013. With education being a large chunk of the states budget the concern from the panel was that education may receive more cuts regardless of the passage of either Proposition.
Click the following links to learn more of the Propositions and how the can affect school funding.
Prop 30 info from ballotpedia
Prop 38 info from ballotpedia
By, Charity Maness
