In three separate state Supreme Court cases spanning 1971-1977,  Serrano v. Priest played an important role in public school funding in California.  Here, the court ruled that money from property tax was to be distributed from localities, back through the state for redistribution to schools.  The premise was that poorer neighborhoods were not be by unduly undercut on education.

Today, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that a proposal circulating through our legislators hands suggests cutting $10 billion from the state budget for education.  As a strong advocate for a broadly educated populace, I am heart-broken.  Our elected officials know that when push comes to shove, those with the financial means to, will find a way to raise money to make up the shortfall.  Somehow, those with the means to, will find the funds. 

The issue of the education budget is doubly confounded by a lack of voter education on the matter.  I am constantly amazed by the number of voters who tell me that their district has lots of money, because they pay lots of property taxes. 

Welcome to Proposition 13, where your long-term neighbors are free riders, and YOU pay lots of property taxes.  Add in the effect of Serrano v. Priest, where the money gets redistributed, and Proposition 98, which further limits the use of general funds toward the use of education, and your district really doesn't have much money at all.  In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle article notes that of the proposed $10 billion cut over 18 months, this year the state is spending only $58 billion on education. 

Somehow, I know we'll work through this tough time.  As a school fundraiser, I'd be happy to work with your program to find a risk-free way to add dollars to your shrinking budget.  We're all in the same boat together: looking for a way to get our kids through school with the tools they'll need to move their intellectual curiosity while satisfying our own need to survive these difficult times.