Dan Walters

By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A

Gov. Jerry Brown’s campaign to balance the state budget with new income and sales taxes took a double hit Monday.

Brown has been describing his temporary sales and income tax increases as necessary to protect schools and public safety. But a new report on school finance from the Legislature’s budget analyst, Mac Taylor, makes it clear that even were Brown’s taxes to be increased, his budget would continue to reduce California’s per-pupil spending. Virtually all of the school money in the package would just pay schools what the state already owes them.

Meanwhile, Molly Munger, a wealthy civil rights attorney, declared that she intends to spend whatever is necessary to place her own $10 billion-a-year income tax increase just for schools on the same November ballot, saying it would boost per-pupil spending by an average of more than $1,500 per year.

Brown has made no secret of his desire to have the only tax boost on the ballot, fearing that multiple measures would confuse voters and perhaps lead them to reject all. He persuaded the Think Long Committee for California to suspend its complex tax reform campaign, but Munger spurned entreaties from the Brown camp to do likewise.

Munger took a couple of indirect shots at Brown’s $7 billion-per-year measure during a speech in Sacramento to state PTA leaders, who pledged to become her field army. She told reporters later that she hadn’t talked directly to Brown about the conflicting proposals, but refused to say whether she had talked to Brown’s wife, Anne.

To read entire story, click here.

Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 02/03/2012 01:29:27 PM PST

CHINO – As tears were shed and pleas were made, Chino Valley Unified School District board members approved $19.6 million in budget reductions.

In a 4 to 1 vote board members accepted more than 26 district reductions or eliminations that were proposed by the superintendent, which included 23 full-time high school counselors, transportation for students in grades 7-12, 10 high school assistant principals, a district secretary, a grounds worker and a number of grant-supported programs.

Board member James Na voted against the cuts at the meeting.

The reductions were made so the district could remain fiscally solvent. The cuts will be in effect in the 2012-13 and continue into the 2013-14 school year.

“One can only imagine the shock and dismay that is felt throughout our district today,” said Superintendent Wayne Joseph in a statement. “I can tell you that although our board members felt compelled to enact the cut list, there is deep sadness within every one of them for having to do so. At times, the `right’ thing to do is not necessarily the most `popular’ thing to do.”

When Gov. Jerry Brown presented his budget proposal for 2012-13 fiscal year he indicated the state is $9.2 billion in the hole.

The governor has proposed up to $10.3 billion in financial solutions, with one proposal built on the assumption Brown’s tax initiative will be approved by state voters in November General Election.

If the tax $6.9 billion initiative passes K-12 school districts will be spared from any additional cuts to their next school year.

However, the San Bernardino County Office of Education has required school districts to prepare a plan to address the budget shortfall in the event the tax initiative does not pass.

“Right now the district made it clear they believe that we can do without nurses, counselors and music teachers,” said Justine Cunningham, president of Associated Chino Teachers.

To read entire story, click here.

Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
January 31, 2012

Rural and urban school districts in California that make heavy use of buses appear safe — for now.

State lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation that would transform a $248 million midyear school bus cut into a general-purpose reduction that hits each K-12 district evenly. The Assembly Budget Committee passed Senate Bill 81 with bipartisan support Tuesday, while an aide to Gov. Jerry Brown testified that the governor supports the proposal.

But Brown still wants to eliminate specific funding for buses in his 2012-13 budget, along with removing earmarks for a variety of other K-12 programs. He instead proposes a new block grant funding system for schools, out of which he suggests districts could fund bus service if they choose.

In Tuesday’s hearing, Republicans and Democrats representing rural areas joined together to lobby for SB 81, which only applies for the remainder of this school year. The bus cut was triggered when state forecasters determined last month that California would fall $2.2 billion short of a $4 billion tax revenue bump that Brown and lawmakers assumed in the 2011-12 state budget.

“It’s a catastrophic problem in my district and in many other rural parts of California,” said Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, who represents the North Coast area. “Eliminating the school bus system creates dangerous situations for many children in California, but for my district it means it would be impossible for many children, if not most children in some districts, to attend school at all.”

To read entire story, click here.

By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 6B

CalSTRS is thinking of cutting its investment forecast for the second time in barely a year, a move that acknowledges the increased financial strain on the pension fund.

The teachers’ retirement board on Thursday will consider a recommendation from its actuarial consultant to cut the forecast by a quarter point, to 7.5 percent.

The consultant, Milliman Inc., told the board the current forecast “exceeds the expected long-term return.”

Pension funds are reluctant to adjust their investment forecasts. After months of hand-wringing, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System cut its forecast by a quarter point in December 2010 – the first adjustment in 15 years.

Now it might do so again, just a week after CalSTRS revealed that its earnings for calendar 2011 came to just 2.3 percent.

The timing is coincidental, pension officials said. The latest recommendation is part of a typical review that takes place every four years, said Ed Derman, CalSTRS’ deputy chief executive.

What happened in 2010 was unusual, and was a reaction to the extraordinary losses suffered in the 2008 market crash, he said.

To read entire story, click here.

Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 01/27/2012 09:31:09 AM PST

CHINO – The Chino Valley Unified School District has about two weeks to find $20 million to cut from its budget for next year.

That’s the bad news coming from last week’s Board of Education budget study session.

During that time, board members will again revisit a 33-item list of possible cuts prepared last year by Superintendent Wayne Joseph, which may have to be considered to keep the district fiscally solvent.

The list of potential items on the block cut deep into Chino Valley’s educational processes, from possible elimination or cutbacks of nurses to elementary music programs, librarians and several assistant principals, among other items.

Board member David Black points the finger to the annual cutbacks from Sacramento as the cause.

“The government,” he said, “is holding education hostage.”

Districts across the state are dealing with similar issues now that the governor has released his budget recommendations.

Some of Gov. Jerry Brown’s state budget proposals for education include the elimination of home-to-school and special education busing funding, the requirement and funding of transitional kindergarten, and eliminating half of the existing requirements of some educational programs.

Also on the governor’s list is to reduce the “interyear apportionment deferrals,” or the percentage of money that is owed to schools. This proposal would only happen if California’s voters pass Brown’s $6.9 billion tax initiative in November, raising the state sales tax as well as income taxes on California’s highest earners.

Deferrals are money owed to schools in this fiscal year but because the governor doesn’t have money he defers release of that money to a later date, said Sandra Chen, district assistant superintendent of business services.

“Right now 38 percent of our current year funding is deferred by the governor until the following year,” she said. “He’s trying to buy down that 38 percent to a lower percentage so we can actually receive the money this year, and that’s a good thing.

“That’s the only proposal on his list that is contingent upon the passage of the taxes. Whether or not the taxes pass, the rest of these are still going forward on his proposal, with the exception of the deferral,” Chen said.

The state is $9.2 billion in the red. All of the governor’s proposed financial solutions add up to $10.3 billion.

Chen said the bottom line is the governor’s proposal is predicated on the passage of the tax-hike initiative.

“We have to plan our budget on what we know right now, and I can tell you right now is that if the taxes pass the best news for our school district is that we will receive the same level of funding as the current year. However, we will still receive 100 percent elimination of regular and special education transportation funding for the 2012-13 school year and beyond,” Chen said.

When it comes to eliminating busing, that sticker price is about $1.5 million for the two school years in Chino Valley.

If the governor’s tax increase does not pass, the district’s revenue funding will be reduced by $10.7 million in 2012-13 school year and $10.5 million in 2013-14.

To read entire story, click here.

Will Bigham, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 01/26/2012 10:42:20 AM PST

A committee of the Cal State University Board of Trustees is set to begin the search for a new president at Cal State San Bernardino. President Albert Karnig is retiring at the end of the school year.

The committee is scheduled to hold an open forum Feb. 10 at Cal State San Bernardino to receive public input on the presidential search process.

The meeting, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center, will be the committee’s only public meeting, according to the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

To read entire story, click here.

Patrick Fite, For the Daily Facts
Posted: 01/26/2012 04:25:15 PM PST

Practicing simple energy efficient methods can add up to huge savings, as the Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) has shown during the past 26 months by saving more than $900,000 in energy costs.

“Everyone is an energy consumer, and therefore, everyone can be an energy saver, ” said RUSD energy education specialist James Fotia. “As an example, saving just 15 minutes of lighting per day can save a lot of money. A little bit of awareness from everybody adds up.”

“We’re very proud that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized our strides in energy efficiency and has awarded the district with an Energy Star Leader Top-Performer designation,” he said. “That means that the our school sites, K-12, are in the top 15 percent nationally in energy efficiency as calculated by the EPA.”

In an effort to conserve energy as well as save money during rough economic times, RUSD contracted with Energy Education, Inc., a national consulting firm that helps clients aggressively save money through energy efficiency.

In 2009, RUSD hired Fotia, who was previously a teacher and has a Master’s Degree in educational administration, to be trained as the district’s energy education specialist. Energy Education Inc. was responsible for Fotia’s training.

Instead of requiring capital investment for new equipment or retrofitting current equipment, the program is geared primarily toward changing organizational behavior.

Fotia’s main job is to lead staff and faculty in examining every energy use point in the district, ensuring that energy is used as necessary and making sure it is never being wasted.

He also gives presentations about the benefits of energy efficiency at student assemblies and in classrooms.

“You can see that it’s on their minds in elementary school, middle school, and in the high schools,” Fotia said. “They care about energy efficiency and sustainability.”

Oscar Stephenson, an eighth-grader at Moore Middle School, writes articles in the school newspaper regarding various issues of the day, including an article about the importance of energy conservation.

“It’s important so we can preserve our planet,” he said.

As part of his job, Fotia collaborates with RUSD maintenance and operations director Joe Aceto to oversee RUSD heating, cooling and ventilation (HCVS) systems, making sure that all the systems are running as programmed.

“Joe Aceto is vital in the operation of the main equipment,” Fotia said.

Moore Middle School Principal Julie Swan, whose school has one of the district’s oldest and most outdated HCVS systems, is proud that the school, along with the others in the district, has managed to contribute to the district’s large savings.

To read entire story, click here.

Agreement delays decisions on furlough days, benefits cuts
January 24, 2012 3:29 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE • Three months after declaring an impasse, the Victor Valley Union High School District and its teachers union have struck a tentative agreement. (Click here to read the agreemment.)

But rather than resolve contentious compensation issues, the proposed deal essentially delays the hard decisions until negotiations resume in March for the 2012-13 school year.

District officials had been pushing to issue teachers eight furlough days, or unpaid days off, in the name of ensuring the district’s long-term financial stability. Union officials had protested the furloughs for slashing teacher pay by 4 to 7 percent and argued the district could instead pull from its healthy reserves.

Monday marked the third negotiation session led by an impartial state mediator, with several dozen teachers wearing bright red union shirts and signs like “Treat teachers fairly” while picketing outside all three meetings.

Under the tentative agreement reached Monday, existing teacher contract terms will remain in effect until at least June 30. The district could have opted to advance through the impasse process in an attempt to ultimately force furloughs on the teachers.

“It was very nice to see the district was working real well with the negotiating team,” VVTA President Jose Berrios said by phone Tuesday. “It was a real good meeting. It was a good positive step.”

The agreement states that salary and health and welfare benefits are “automatic reopeners” this spring when negotiations resume. It also requires both sides to “sunshine,” or disclose at a public meeting, their initial proposals for the 2012-13 school year by March 1.

“The District would like to thank VVTA and its negotiating team for their professionalism at the bargaining table and looks forward to productive bargaining session, commencing in March 2012,” states a district memo to all certificated staff from Steven Desist, assistant superintendent of human resources.

Desist did not return a Tuesday call for comment.

It’ll be up to union members to determine their next specific proposals, Berrios said, though it doesn’t seem likely they’ll be eager to swallow the concessions the district has wanted. Teachers are also waiting to see if Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative will pass and improve the district’s fiscal situation.

“We still feel that there’s enough in the reserve that we can survive,” Berrios said.

The union membership now has 10 days to ratify the agreement with a vote before sending it to the district board for adoption.

If green-lighted by the union, the deal means it won’t be necessary for the district to take the next step to resolve an impasse called fact-finding, which would have involved a panel listening to arguments for both sides at an evidentiary hearing

Natasha Lindstrom may be reached at (760) 951-6232 or at NLindstrom@VVDailyPress.com.

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Dan Walters

By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A

The state budget contains hundreds of specific provisions but none is bigger, more complicated, more politicized, more emotional – or more important – than the 30 or so billion dollars that it spends on K-12 education.

That was true even before Gov. Jerry Brown proposed to increase state school aid and raised its political and societal stakes even higher, although he claims it would be less complicated.

Brown’s proposed 2012-13 budget would increase K-12 spending by $4.4 billion – but only if voters pass temporary increases in sales and income taxes next fall. School officials worry, however, that the supposed increase would be more a bookkeeping exercise than new cash-in-hand. And if the taxes fail, the schools would lose the money.

Is Brown using schools as a pawn in the chess game over taxes, knowing that they are the most popular piece of the budget? Does the sun rise in the East?

At the very least, it forces local school officials to make difficult assumptions about whether the taxes will pass or fail and fashion their own 2012-13 budgets accordingly. It’s a new version of the game that Brown and the Legislature played with the 2011-12 budget and its last-minute assumption that the state would get another $4 billion in revenue.

John Fensterwald, a veteran journalist who blogs about schools for the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, puts it this way:

To read entire story, click here.

Civil rights attorney Molly Munger has contributed $500,000 toward her tax initiative to raise $10 billion annually for education, the first significant cash backing a measure that competes with Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax proposal, according to a campaign statement posted today.

Munger wants to raise income taxes on all but the poorest residents, with progressively higher rates up the income scale. She has filed two versions of her initiative; one would give the money entirely to education, another would provide $3 billion in state budget relief on top of money for schools.

The money flowed in two contributions for $100,000 and $400,000 to the new “Our Children, Our Future,” campaign committee.

To read entire story, click here.

Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Created: 01/08/2012 06:03:56 AM PST

At most it will be $100,000.

Or not even enough to cover one-half of one furlough day.

That’s the assessment from the Upland Unified School District of what last week’s state Supreme Court decision on redevelopment agencies might mean – in a best-case scenario.

The court last week concluded the Legislature could take redevelopment funding, rejecting arguments that such action violated Proposition 22, a 2010 measure designed to bar the state from seizing local funds to pay its bills.

The justices struck down a separate state law allowing redevelopment agencies to stay afloat if they relinquished a large share of their funding to the state.

On the day of the ruling, Gov. Jerry Brown said the decision “guarantees more than a billion dollars of ongoing funding for schools and public safety.”

After running some numbers, that could translate to $100,000, said Liz Seymour, senior director of fiscal services for the Upland Unified School District.

Putting that in perspective for a school district which has an annual budget of $85 million, one furlough day amounts to a $250,000 savings for the district.

And in the current school year, the Upland school district is taking nine furlough days to make ends meet.

But here’s the really big question, if the state does eventually send the district this $100,000, what will it take away?

Regardless of how the numbers get crunched, school officials are clear on one point – this isn’t likely to be bonus dollars.

George Velarde, assistant superintendent for business services for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, said that when the dust settles, there will be no increase in funding to schools as a result of the state legislation upheld by the state’s highest court.

Velarde said it is likely that any additional funds received from the legislation will result in relieving the state, by a like amount, from its financial obligations to the schools.

To read entire story, click here.

Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Sunday, January 8, 2012

Sacramento –Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget plan released last week poses a stark choice for Californians: approve a five-year $35 billion tax increase in November or watch the hatchet drop on public school funding – with cuts so deep the school year could be shortened by almost a month.

Under the proposal, schools would face the bulk of midyear cuts if voters reject the taxes. Of the $5.3 billion Brown wants to slice from the budget if his plan is turned down, $4.8 billion would be taken from public schools.

In releasing his budget, the governor rejected the notion that choosing schools to face the largest proposed cut was a political move to motivate voters to approve his tax plan. Numerous polls show Californians rank public school funding as their top priority.

When asked why he is aiming the possible cuts at schools, Brown replied, “That’s where the money is!”
Shortening the year

The governor’s proposal – if the taxes are approved – would provide $52.5 billion to schools, an increase over the $47.6 billion in this year’s budget. But if that does not happen, schools face dark prospects that may include a significantly shortened school year.

Administration officials said they have yet to decide whether that will be the route to achieve those savings, and doing so would require approval by the Legislature along with negotiations with teachers unions across the state. Getting both to sign on, which would mean teachers agreeing to cut their pay by more than three weeks, would be a difficult task.

Nancy Waymack, executive director of policy and operations for the San Francisco Unified School District, said teachers in the district would not agree to such a change. The district has made about $113 million in cuts over the past several years, she said.

Responding to the governor’s rationale for targeting schools, Waymack said, “From my perspective, that’s where the kids are and that’s where the future of California is.”

Ron Bennett, president and CEO of School Services of California, which advises school districts across the state on policies and budgets coming from Sacramento, agreed that weeks of school closures are unlikely to happen. He noted that the Legislature gave school districts the option to cut up to seven days in the current school year in response to midyear cuts triggered this month but that very few districts negotiated with teachers to do that.

Also, doing so would cause turmoil in planning tests, final exams and graduation ceremonies, among other things.

Bennett called Brown’s education spending plan, “Very, very convoluted and very confusing.” He said that regardless of whether the taxes are approved, the budget calls for the elimination of all funding for home-to-school transportation for districts next year.

He said he will advise districts to create their next budget as if the tax plan will fail because not planning for cuts would be chaotic if they happen.

To read entire story, click here.

In this April 4, 2011 file photo is Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, in Sacramento. Donnelly, who previously sought the right to carry a loaded weapon inside the state Capitol has been cited for trying to bring a loaded handgun onto a Sacramento-bound flight. Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nico Melendez says Donnelly had a Colt .45 with four rounds in it inside his carry-on luggage at Ontario International Airport. He says another magazine with five rounds also was in Donnelly’s carry-on bag. The lawmaker was passing through a security checkpoint at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. (Associated Press file photo)

By Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 01/06/2012 10:52:55 AM PST

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly said Friday the effort to repeal the California Dream Act had fallen short of gathering enough signatures needed to get on the ballot.

The legislation, which goes into effect in 2013, gives undocumented students in California the opportunity to apply for financial aid.

“Despite an incredible effort by tens of thousands of volunteers working alongside professional petition gatherers, I regret to announce that we have not met our goal to collect 504,760 valid signatures in under 90 days,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly blamed the shortfall on not having had enough time to collect signatures. He had earlier expected 800,000 would sign up.

Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, who introduced the legislation, said he was happy the people of California have chosen not to repeal the California Dream Act.

“This is good for California’s economy,” Cedillo said. “We have rejected the lies, the misstatements, the hate and divisiveness of this proposal.”

Angelica Salas, executive director of the coalition for humane immigration rights based on Los Angeles, said the ability for undocumented college students to access student financial aid is sensible legislation.

“This is evidenced by the Assemblyman Donnelly unable to get the required number of valid signatures on the ballot,” she said.

Signature-collection events had been scheduled up and down the state through this month. While the effort fell short, Donnelly said the fight against the new legislation isn’t over.

Donnelly and campaign coordinators on Friday discussed beginning another repeal effort this year. It’s unclear when or how it may begin, but the initiative process is among the options.

To read entire story, click here.

By Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 01/04/2012 04:46:26 PM PST

CHINO – Another tough year is expected for Chino Valley Unified School District as officials anticipate cutting millions from its budget.

Come January, district officials said they will revisit a 33-item list of possible reductions presented to the school board two months ago by its superintendent – a list that includes elimination or cutbacks of nurses, elementary music programs, librarians and several assistant principals.

The proposed cuts were a part of the district’s way of preparing for the state failing to raise $4 billion in revenue for rest of the fiscal year – which ended up happening.

The Golden State is $13 billion in the red.

Now, the district is looking at $7.8 million in cuts to its
The 4-1-1
Chino Valley Unified School District board members will host their next meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at 5130 Riverside Drive, Chino.

Chino Valley Unified School District Superintendent Wayne Joseph’s proposed budget cuts can be viewed at www.chino.k12.ca.us.

Once at the district’s site, click on “Budget Updates” and then select the Nov. 10 budget study session.

The budget reduction options are listed starting on page eight. Joseph’s recommendations are highlighted.
2012-13 year.

Chino Valley Unified officials have identified up to $11.3 million in reductions to the 2012-13 school year and $12.2 million to the 2013-14 school year.

“We (the board) haven’t discussed it yet, but I’m going to step out on the limb and say that we will probably do the same as we’ve done in the past,” board president Charles Dickie said.

“The board will discuss each item and then decide whether to take the item off the table, wait for more information before making a decision, or decide to cut the item.”

Later this month, Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to release his budget proposal for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

To read entire story, click here.

SAN BERNARDINO – High-profile leaders of the city and school district have recently been replaced, and the new year is expected to bring more new faces and approaches.

In December, three newly elected members joined the seven-person board that sets policy for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and already they’re flexing their muscles on the direction the district should take.

That includes how – and when – to find a new superintendent, the top nonelective position.

The school board had planned to have a new superintendent in place in November, but in October it rejected all applicants.

Board members agree that the second search will be successful, largely because they say the election brought in board members who work better with each other and with district staff.

But they disagree on the next step, with new member Mike Gallo pushing to adopt a comprehensive mission statement first.

“In order to attract a qualified, quality candidate, we’ve really got to establish core values and a core mission, so we can characterize these elements and characteristics we want in a superintendent,” Gallo said. “We want the superintendent who’s right for us.”

Gallo wants to consult with community members, employee unions and other stakeholders to decide on a framework – such as whether the district should focus on science, technology, engineering and math training, as he advocates – and then ask candidates to demonstrate they can help accomplish those goals.

But that leaves the district in the hands of an interim superintendent for too long, said board member Danny Tillman.

“I don’t think the two items – the strategic plan and finding a superintendent – are directly connected,” Tillman said. “I really think there’s a need to hire a full-time superintendent who’s going to be there full time.”

Other vacant high-level administrative positions should be filled after a superintendent is found, to be sure they fit the new boss’ vision, board members said.

To read entire story, click here.

Garcia

By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Created: 01/02/2012 06:05:05 PM PST

FONTANA – School board member Leticia Garcia is flying to New York City on Wednesday for an interview with Anderson Cooper related to the stigma associated with women professionals married to convicts.

Garcia said her understanding from those involved with the production of “Anderson,” a syndicated daytime talk show hosted by Cooper, is that she and at least two other professional women will be part of the show, which is likely to be televised on Thursday.

Show officials could not be reached for comment last week.

Garcia shocked many in Fontana this past October when she revealed she had been secretly married, since 2002, to Jason Garcia, who spent 27 years in state prisons for two counts of second degree murder.

He was paroled on Sept. 30.

The reaction sparked calls for her resignation from the Fontana Unified board – or at least her removal as the board’s vice president – by Mayor Acquanetta Warren and others.

That backlash will be among the topics examined in the show, she said.

Since his parole, Jason Garcia has been enrolled in a live-in residency program in Los Angeles to help him transition back into mainstream society.

He has a part-time job.

“I am proud of how he has learned to get around on public transportation” in L.A., Leticia Garcia said.

To read entire story, click here.

Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 23, 2011

Responding to concerns by Gov. Jerry Brown, Democratic leaders and budget stakeholders, civil rights attorney Molly Munger today submitted a new version of her initiative to increase income taxes for California schools.

The latest version uses $3 billion for state bond repayment for the first four fiscal years, starting in 2013-14, and the remaining $7 billion for K-12 schools and early childhood programs. For the final eight years of the 12-year initiative, $10 billion would go toward K-12 and pre-kindergarten programs.

The state would have to prioritize repayment of school bonds before using the money on other debt. It raises $10 billion by hiking income taxes on all but the poorest Californians, at increasing marginal rates up the income ladder.

Brown has filed his own proposal to raise an estimated $7 billion annually through higher income taxes on the rich and a half-cent sales tax increase.

The governor is trying to persuade Munger and other tax initiative proponents to back away from their measures. Political strategists believe that if multiple tax proposals qualify for the ballot, voters will be confused and less inclined to vote for any of them. Munger’s change is the latest development in negotiations among tax proponents.

“This alternative version of the Our Children, Our Future Act has been drafted in recognition of California’s dire short-term fiscal situation,” Munger said in a statement issued by the Our Children, Our Future campaign. “Voters may want to help close our state’s budget deficit in the near term as a relatively small part of making a transformative long-term commitment to education as their highest priority.”

To read entire story, click here.

REDLANDS – When it comes to fighting against an unwanted assembly bill, the Redlands Tea Party Patriots are working the old fashioned way – going door to door to gather signatures against AB 131.

The new legislation, AB 131, would give undocumented students in California the opportunity to apply for financial aid.

Opponents are seeking to gather a minimum of 505,000 signatures to file their petition by Jan. 5, because they say the Dream Act disenfranchises legal resident students in a time of deep fiscal difficulty for the state.

“It’s as immoral as it is outrageous,” said Tea Party Patriot John Berry, who is in charge of the group’s canvassing committee.

Berry said the Tea Party has a group of volunteers who have gone door to door twice in the past two months to gather signatures.

So far, they’ve gathered about 1,000 in Redlands, which he said was significant, considering it was done on an unpaid, volunteer basis.

“We get people who can’t wait to sign the petition,” Berry said. “It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response.”

To read entire story, click here.

Will Bigham, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/20/2011 06:07:01 PM PST

Related story: SB Valley College president to leave for Illinois job

Herb English, who was placed on leave in recent weeks, is the fourth administrator in the college’s Student Services Department to be placed on leave this year.

They include the department’s top administrator, Damon Bell, vice president of student services.

The first person to be placed on leave, Fernando Poveda, later resigned, said Jack Miyamoto, head of human resources in the San Bernardino Community College District.

Miyamoto and other district officials declined to say why the administrators were placed on leave.

Cadelia James, a former member of the college’s student governing body who worked with English and other administrators, said she’s heard few specifics about the college’s actions.

“But I’ve heard little things here and there from other people,” she said.

Rumors generally involve the administrators’ dealings with the Associated Students of San Bernardino Valley College, James said.

“And I’ve heard rumors that (English’s leave) could have something to do with other programs that he’s had on campus,” James said.

To read entire story, click here.

VICTORVILLE • With just three weeks left to collect nearly 505,000 signatures, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly is working to rally support to repeal the California Dream Act, a controversial new law that grants state financial aid to illegal immigrants.

A handful of Stop AB 131 volunteers spent Thursday afternoon gathering several dozen signatures in the parking lot of the Mall of Victor Valley.

This was among 19 locations promoted by Ken Champiou and John Kobylt, of KFI’s “The John & Ken Show,” to qualify a ballot initiative that could overturn AB 131 by Gil Cedillo, DLos Angeles. Other locations were also set up in Glendora, Chino, Highland, Pasadena and Redlands.

“It’s not legal for funds to be taken out of tax revenues for the state to invest in education of students that aren’t going to be able to get a job when they graduate because they won’t be legal citizens,” Tomas Sandoval, 49, of Hesperia, said after signing a petition in Victorville.

Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October, AB 131 qualifies illegal immigrants who are accepted into California public colleges to receive Cal Grants, community college fee waivers and other state financial aid beginning in 2013.

According to the legislation, state aid will only be dispersed to illegal immigrants after it’s been given out to all qualified legal residents or U.S. citizens.

The undocumented students must be working toward legal citizenship, have a high school diploma or equivalent and have attended a California high school for three years.

“We need legislation like the California Dream Act to put us on the path to stability,” said Conrado Terrazas, spokesman for Cedillo. “Education you have with you all the time, whereas immigration status can change.”

But Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks, argues the bill includes no mechanism for ensuring legal residents get the aid first. He believes the Dream Act will lead to more illegal immigration.

“You’re talking about an investment — except for one thing: There’s no payback. No matter how much we feel for them, no matter how compassionate we might feel in our hearts for their situations, they aren’t legally authorized to work in the state of California so they can’t become part of that income stream,” Donnelly said. “It’s not fair to the legal residents who are trying to get classes and then get into the work force to give their spots to somebody who can’t work here.”

Donnelly said the campaign does not have a current signature tally but it has been making big fundraising gains in recent weeks, with funds now topping $100,000. A Palos Verdes donor pledged $25,000 over Thanksgiving weekend and committed to matching up to another $25,000 in funds collected through today.

Donnelly estimates some 4,400 volunteers have been distributing petitions statewide, along with 10 paid crews. One San Diego paid crew netted 10,000 signatures in 10 days.

“Two-thirds of this effort has been just volunteers so the count is very, very difficult to gauge,” Donnelly said.

The Department of Finance had said AB 131 could grant about $14.5 million from the $1.4 billion Cal Grant program, but the nonpartisan legislative analyst earlier this month estimated the state could give out $65 million.

“Common sense says we can’t afford it,” said Stop AB 131 volunteer Becky Otwell of the Victor Valley Republicans Club.

As the Jan. 6 deadline nears, the latest campaign push is dubbed “7-7-7,” asking supporters to donate $7 and get seven signatures in seven days.

AB 131 was the second part of Cedillo’s California Dream Act. The first bill, AB 130, was signed into law in July and enabled undocumented students at public colleges to get financial aid from private sources

For more information on the referendum, visit StopAB131.com.

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Ryan Hagen, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 12/15/2011 03:14:13 PM PST

Cal State San Bernardino is the second-safest four-year public university in the state, according to a new report from StateUniversity.com.

The university’s crime rate puts it eighth overall among the 46 schools in the University of California, California State University and California Community College systems.

“That’s thanks to the men and women of this department and the programs we have started,” said Jimmie Brown, chief of police at the campus. “Also, what has changed is the campus community – they’re starting to come forward and report suspicious activity.”

The result of that activity has been a 37percent drop in crimes per 1,000 students from 2009 to 2010, according to university records.

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2010 – the year the rankings are based on – CSUSB averaged 1.06 burglaries and 4.09 thefts per 1,000 students, the most common crimes. There were no reports of aggravated assault, arson, rape or murder.

To read entire story, click here.

FONTANA – Leticia Garcia quietly stepped aside as vice president of the Fontana Unified School District Board on Wednesday night, nominating longtime board member Gus Hawthorn.

Previous to that action, Hawthorn had nominated BarBara Chavez for a second term as the board’s president.

Both measures were unanimously approved.

“The board knows it has to come together and work together….as long as the board sticks together, we can survive all the bumps in the road,” Chavez said Thursday.

Garcia’s continuation as the board’s vice president had been questioned by several Fontana city officials – including Mayor Acquanetta Warren – after she revealed in October that she had been secretly married to a convicted murderer since 2002.

Jason Garcia, her husband, was released from the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, after 27 years in prison, for two counts of second-degree murder.

Board member Garcia met her future husband in 2001 while doing research for a college class on the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

After the marriage, Garcia said she told all but her closest friends and family members that she was divorced.

Following that revelation – which drew widespread media coverage – Warren and fellow council member Michael Tahan said they felt Garcia’s misrepresentation had put Fontana under a cloud.

Both council members said they were concerned about the message Garcia’s behavior was sending to young people.

To read entire story, click here.

December 15, 2011 1:21 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE • Victor Valley College’s board members have voted themselves a 60 percent raise, increasing their monthly stipend from $250 to $400.

The VVC Board of Trustees approved the hike at Tuesday night’s meeting. The increase is retroactive back to July 1, according to college spokesman Bill Greulich.

The stipend increase was justified because of the college’s increasing full-time equivalency rate, Greulich said. Community colleges get reimbursed based on full-time equivalency, or FTE, which can equate to one student taking 12 units, three students each taking a four-unit course, or another combination adding up to 12 units.

The move to up the stipends came after a review of board policy found that California Education Code allows for an increase in board member stipends when FTE surpasses a certain level. The board voted 4-1 to adjust the stipends accordingly, with trustee Michael Krause opposing.

“I cannot see giving myself more money — even though (Education) Code states that board members will get that amount over 10,000 FTE — when we are cutting employees and cutting classes,” Krause said in a statement Thursday. “I support the board’s decision and respect each board member’s vote.”

The latest estimates show the number of students enrolled in VVC during fall 2011 fell by 9 percent from fall 2010, but the college’s full-time equivalency rate was up 7.2 percent.

The full-time equivalency figure for fall was 4,146 compared to 3,867 in 2010, data shows. Meanwhile, there are 1,286 fewer students enrolled this fall compared to fall 2010, with the current head count at about 12,366.

Neither Board President Dennis Henderson nor Vice President Joe Range could immediately be reached for comment

Natasha Lindstrom may be reached at (760) 951-6232 or at NLindstrom@VVDailyPress.com.

Get complete stories every day with the “exactly as printed” Daily Press E-edition, only $5 per month! Click here to try it free for 7 days. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755, 1-800-553-2006 or click here.

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Statewide education officials on Wednesday decried “trigger cuts” announced this week to the state’s K-12 school system and said they wanted taxes raised to bolster education funding.

The officials’ comments, in a teleconference with media members, touched on the strategies being contemplated to find new tax revenue.

Several voter initiatives seeking tax increases to fund education could potentially qualify for the ballot in November, said Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction.

Education advocates in coming days and months will analyze the competing measures, “to narrow it down so we’re not offering such a smorgasbord of choices, with the vote being split between measures, and none being successful,” he said.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday ordered $1 billion in midyear cuts to the state budget because tax revenue has been lower than projections contained in the budget.

The cuts to K-12 school districts include $248 million in home-to-school transportation funding and $79.6 million in general funding.

The eight education officials, which consisted largely of representatives from education-related labor unions, spoke Tuesday “united in our deep, deep concern over these harmful cuts,” Torlakson said.

The officials said cuts to home-to-school transportation funding would disproportionately affect poor children who depend on school buses.

“Thousands of children will be forced to walk to school,” said Dave Low, executive director of the Classified School Employees Association.

Said Dean Vogel, president of the California Teachers Association: “Why is it that every time there’s a budget crisis, it’s balanced on the backs of students in this state? When it gets right down to it, it’s unconscionable.”

The cut announced Tuesday was based on a Department of Finance estimate that tax revenue in the fiscal year will be $2.2 billion short of the original projection of $88.4 billion.

To read entire story, click here.

By Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Created: 12/12/2011 04:41:50 PM PST

COLTON – Months of uncertainty and disagreement ended Monday, after the teachers union voted overwhelmingly to accept a new contract.

Ballots were counted Monday after a three-day vote that included nearly two-thirds of the members.

Of those, 96 percent voted yes.

“We’re happy it’s over,” said Karen Houck, president of the Association of Colton Educators.

To read entire brief, click here.

California schools, libraries, prisons and disabled services will all be affected — with more to come, Gov. Jerry Brown warns.

By Anthony York and Teresa Watanabe
Los Angeles Times
December 14, 2011

Reporting from Sacramento and Los Angeles — Gov. Jerry Brown announced nearly $1 billion in new state budget cuts, slashing spending on higher education and eliminating funding for free school-bus service but avoiding the deeper reductions to public schools that many had feared.

Services for the disabled, money for public libraries and funding for state prisons will also be pared. Most of the cuts, announced Tuesday, will take effect Jan. 1.

The reductions were built into the budget that Brown and lawmakers approved in June, set to kick in if revenue did not reach the optimistic level they had assumed. Brown warned that more cuts are around the corner, in the spending plan for 2012-13 that he will unveil next month.

“This is not the way we’d like to run California, but we have to live within our means,” Brown said at a Capitol news conference. But he noted that the cuts could have been worse.

An earlier forecast from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office had schools bracing for cuts of more than $1.4 billion. Instead, a burst of corporate and personal income tax receipts that were higher than expected led the administration to raise its cash-flow projections.

Now school budgets will be reduced by about $330 million, including $248 million that pays for buses. Los Angeles schools will bear $38 million of those transportation cuts, and Supt. John Deasy announced Tuesday that the district would file suit to block the state from taking those funds.

“We would have nothing left for transportation,” Deasy said at Tuesday’s school board meeting. “The most vulnerable youth in Los Angeles,” he added, would suffer “irreparable harm.”

The governor said schools can pay for bus service out of their reserves, something that representatives from other large districts said they planned to do. Districts are required by federal law to provide transportation for certain special-education and some low-performing students.

Bernie Rhinerson, chief of staff of the San Diego Unified School District, said his district could weather the cuts without reducing its bus program. San Diego pared bus service by about 25% last year, eliminating it for about 4,000 students and adding fees for some.

Other cuts announced Tuesday could also be thwarted by the courts. Among them is a $100-million reduction for workers who care for the sick and elderly in their homes. A federal judge recently issued a temporary order against such cuts in a lawsuit filed preemptively.

Those cuts “would place hundreds of thousands of fragile lives in jeopardy,” said Laphonza Butler, president of the union that represents 180,000 home aides and nursing home workers. “We simply can’t balance our state’s budget on the backs of our most vulnerable residents.”

To read entire story, click here.

Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/12/2011 07:18:26 PM PST

Teachers and school board members continue to bristle that five schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District did not qualify for a total of $7.2 million in state funding because of preventable mistakes, even as they push for a waiver.

“Somebody was asleep at the switch,” said board member Judi Penman. “I’m not going to name names because that’s not fair, but it can’t happen again. This is one of those things that the board has to take responsibility for, and it’s our fault.”

The schools each slightly missed the requirements to receive Quality Education Investment Act funding.

One teacher each at Bradley Elementary School, Mount Vernon Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School was not rated “highly qualified,” while Curtis Middle School had one class that exceeded the 27 students allowed in middle school classes.

Arrowhead Elementary School did not qualify because its Academic Performance Index, calculated based on student test scores, did not increase enough over the last three years.

The schools will receive the money through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, so no mid-year cuts are planned, but unless the State Board of Education grants a waiver they will lose out on money that would have been given in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Interim Superintendent Yolanda Ortiz said staff is cautiously optimistic the district will receive a waiver because the schools nearly made their goals and have reworked internal processes in ways she says will ensure the mistakes can’t happene again. The administrator in charge of the program retired at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

Rebecca Harper, president of the San Bernardino Teachers Association and chairwoman of the work group that monitors QEIA for the California Teachers Association, said some of the seven requirements to receive funding are more complicated than they seem.

For instance, the definition of a highly qualified teacher differs depending on when a teacher entered the profession, and administrators may have assumed teachers studying for the test that determines it would soon pass.

To read entire story, click here.

By Neil Nisperos. Staff Writer
Created: 12/12/2011 06:23:06 PM PST

Public school officials throughout the state are bracing for what may mean another huge blow to education with a potential trigger cut of $1.9 billion.

These reductions include cuts to community colleges and K-12 schools, and would automatically occur if state revenues fall short by at least $2 billion.

Today the state Department of Finance, under the administration of Gov. Jerry Brown, is expected to announce revenue projections that determine whether these cuts are triggered.

There are two levels of cuts. If projections mean a shortfall of $1 billion, then only the first tier of cuts – $600 million in reductions to public colleges and social services – will occur.

If projections are short $2 billion by June, then $1.9 billion in “second tier” cuts to K-12 will take place.

On Monday, school officials said the feared reductions in most cases have already been worked into existing budget projections.

Mohammad Islam, chief finance officer for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, said the district must cut about $19 million for the 2012-2013 school year if the second-tier cuts go into effect. Board member workshops, to go over expenditures line by line, are scheduled for 4 p.m. Jan. 10, according to board member Judi Penman.

Islam said class sizes have already been increased and school days reduced as part of recent budget-tightening efforts. Similar actions have taken place in districts throughout the state.

“This puts every school district in a disastrous fiscal condition,” Islam said. “Education is in crisis. The level of funding cuts in the past five years has put us in a difficult position to provide a quality education to help our children.”

At Pomona Unified School District, Superintendent Richard Martinez said the cuts could equate to about a $6 million loss to his district. The district has already cut seven instructional days out of its schedule in recent years. Martinez said an option to deal with the trigger cuts could mean six fewer instructional days.

To read entire story, click here.

By Kevin Yamamura
kyamamura@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 – 6:39 am

Next month, rural residents may struggle to find library books, and low-income families could lose subsidized child care.

Come February, public school districts may scour their calendars looking for days to shut their doors.

The rosy budget crafted by Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers in June confronts reality this week when state finance officials update their revenue forecast.

The audience for such dry exercises normally consists of bureaucrats and budget wonks. But in an unusual step, state leaders tied real-world consequences to the revenue update. They inserted $2.5 billion in midyear cuts, some or all of which will trigger if Brown’s Department of Finance determines California will fall short of its optimistic projections.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office said last month that California will take in $3.7 billion less than expected. That would translate into $2 billion in cuts to libraries, universities and K-12 schools, with the rest of the hole rolled into next year’s $13 billion deficit.

“Child care providers are concerned,” said Patty Siegel, executive director of the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network, who is hoping to avoid a $23 million cut to child care after facing a $412 million reduction this summer. “Those already on the cusp of closing are wondering, is this the piece that will put them over the edge?”

The budget divided cuts into two tiers. The first goes into effect if fiscal officials determine the state will be at least $1 billion shy by June, and most people at risk already assume they will lose funding. Finance Director Ana Matosantos said last month that “some level of trigger cuts will likely occur.”

The first tier is the broadest; it includes $600 million in reductions to higher education, In-Home Supportive Services, subsidized child care and developmental services, among other programs.

It would require counties to pay $125,000 for each juvenile offender they sent to a state facility, which local officials said would result in more youths being tried as adults and less rehabilitation.

The first-tier cuts would begin in January.

The second tier includes cuts to community colleges and K-12 schools. They would go into effect if it is determined the state has fallen off track by at least $2 billion.

K-12 districts could not lay off teachers, and any reduction in the school calendar would have to be negotiated with labor unions. Those cuts would take effect in February.

The potential for K-12 reductions has drawn the greatest attention, and it remains unclear just how deep into school budgets the state will cut, if at all. The analyst projected districts would lose $248 million in school bus money and $1.1 billion in general dollars, equivalent to five days of school.

Advocates for other programs on the chopping block say they face detrimental impacts.

The state would cut $15 million in library funding, which would damage two programs: a service that allows state residents to use libraries outside their own system; and coordination of a volunteer-driven adult literacy program.

To read entire story, click here.

Congressman Joe Baca

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 09 December 2011 08:13 PM

WASHINGTON — Seeking to improve an education system he says is failing Indian country, Inland Rep. Joe Baca introduced legislation this week to overhaul the nation’s tribal schools.

The bill would provide increased Indian access to funding for at-risk youths and early childhood education, more adult literacy programs tailored for Native Americans and a scholarship program for tribal members studying to become teachers, among other provisions. The bill is called the Native Culture, Language and Access for Success in Schools — or Native CLASS — Act.

The bill’s centerpiece is language providing tribal schools with greater control of the schools and curriculum, allowing tribal educators to better incorporate their culture into classrooms on reservations around Inland Southern California and across the country.

“It allows our tribal schools — like the Noli school on the Soboba reservation and the San Manuel Learning Resource Center — to use native languages as a primary language of instruction,” said Baca, D-Rialto.

Baca said the current system is broken. The high school dropout rate for Native American students — who number more than 700,000 nationwide — is roughly 50 percent, and their standardized testing scores rank among the lowest in the nation.

James Ramos, chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians who recently became the first American Indian to serve on the California State Board of Education, said the bill would pave the way for different approaches that could lead to measurable improvements to tribal schools.

“In addition to bringing much-needed attention to Indian education, the bill offers an opportunity for discourse between tribes and the Congress to further refine the legislation so it reflects the education goals of Indian Country,” Ramos said.

To read entire story, click here.