[CALIBK12] Textbook money question

[Sue Beckmeyer]

We are working on just this issue in my little Pacifica School District, and
we have captured the attention of Senator Leland Yee. A little background:
Pacifica School District is the lowest funded of 26 districts in San Mateo
County. The average per pupil revenues per ADA are $11,500 countywide; in
Pacifica the number is $7,773. It should be noted that Larry Ellison lives
in this county, which is home to cities such as Hillsborough, Woodside and
Palo Alto. However, the super high $20,000+ per ADA funding that some of
those districts enjoy are not the norm across the county.

On this list, I see many, many discussions about LMT positions on the
chopping block in many districts across the state. In Pacifica, our LMTs
went away in the mid-1980s, near as anyone can recollect, and they've never
come back. We do not have a district librarian, and contract with the county
office of education to oversee our school libraries. While library advocacy
is my prime area of interest in my district, simple survival of our district
is at stake with the current threatened budget cutbacks. In Pacifica, we are
mounting our second effort to pass a $96 per parcel tax (5-year horizon),
which was defeated last year with a more than 55% approval rate.
Unfortunately, any new taxes in this state require a super-majority -- 67%
-- to pass, whether in the legislature or at the polling place.

We have proposed to Senator Yee that the text book restriction be
temporarily lifted, as well as such things as paying state sales tax on
textbooks. (Last year that cost us over $47,000 alone for one adoption.) To
answer your question about what you can do: get in touch with your local
legislators and let them know how you feel. It was only the FLOOD of letters
from Pacifica, a tiny community of just 40,000 residents with only 3,000
public elementary school students, that got his attention. Since his office
started receiving our letters, he has personally attended 3 public meetings
in town, and Rep. Gene Mullins has sent a staff member to at least two.

CSLA can help with information on exactly who to contact within your local
district. They can also advise about who is on the Education Appropriations
Committe and other influential committees. They may tell you that lobbyists
"are working on it." We've been told that for years about the Association of
Low Wealth School Districts, which Pacifica clearly is. Add your voice to
those of the lobbyists -- and get others in your district to do the same.
Our legislators need to hear from those they directly represent, and our
experience in Pacifica shows us that they do listen.

--Sue Beckmeyer
  Vallemar School Library Coordinator (volunteer)
  and San Jose State SLIS student
  Pacifica, CA 94044
On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 9:11 AM, MFischer <MFischer at buckeyeusd.org> wrote:

>  Has anyone heard anything about categorical restrictions being eased as
> part of the budget crunch? I'm specifically thinking about IMFRP funds for
> textbooks, but this could possibly apply to other categorical as well.
>
>
>
> The so-called "24 month rule" about having to adopt new textbooks within
> 24 months of the state adoption costs millions of dollars that could be
> directed elsewhere if this rule were to be relaxed somewhat. For example, in
> my district, we have adequate standards-based textbooks that are in good
> condition but we are now required to dump those and buy a whole new adoption
> of standards-based textbooks or face a penalty. I'm quite sure many other
> districts are in the same position. We have been advised by CDE that
> requesting a waiver for this is not likely to be productive and not to waste
> our time doing it.
>
>
>
> We have also been told that there is talk at the state level (legislature?
> CDE?) about easing some requirements. While I don't think this could happen
> fast enough to help us with next year's budget, it does sound like an idea
> that has long term benefits. So my big question is really this:
>
>
>
> *How can we influence this decision? To whom do we write/call/speak? I
> don't know if this is a legislative mandate or a ruling from within CDE and
> so don't know where to begin. If I get some hard facts, I'll be happy to
> share them with all because I'm sure this is an issue that affects many of
> us.*
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance for whatever advice can be offered!
>
>
>
>
>
> Mary Helen
>
>
>
> *Mary Helen Fischer*
>
> *District Librarian*
>
> *Buckeye Union School District*
>
> *Shingle Springs CA 95682*
>
>
>
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