Summer vacation is half-over and students are still learning. Sports camp, computer camp, theatre arts camp, science and math camp for girls, and newest of all, half-blood day camps for boys, who learn the Greek mythology stories while pursuing gorgons and Medusa in search of the Golden Apple. Glory for all. See New York Times, July 16, 2010, “What I Did at Camp: Followed Plot, Killed Gorgon, Saved World.”
If only the California Superintendent of Schools could climb Mt. Shasta-the local Mt. Olympus– to ask an oracle to speak with Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, dispose of nay-sayers with a swat of the sword, and snatch the Golden Fleece in order to save teachers from lay-offs when school begins-for some as soon as the second week in August. The closest any state will come to finding the Golden Fleece is to win Race to the Top funds in the second round of federal grant disbursement.
If you were the Oracle what would you suggest to states in order to bring short term support for schools? Remember, California alone has 6 million students with 174 districts financially distressed (San Jose Mercury News, July 5, 2010). It is 44th lowest in dollars spent per student, and somewhere between 45-50th ranking in number of students per teacher-depending on how the ratio is determined. No one option will be a magic cure. Soon, all sources of funds for the state must be equitably reallocated.
Here are some options collected from various blogs, news articles, and reports. The list emphasizes saving money. Which options also do no harm to students and curriculum? Suggestions were found in articles collected by Edsource.
Large school districts shorten the school year calendar, increase class sizes and lay off teachers. The money saved supports the program left. This is already happening.
Halt any facilities improvements to public schools, e.g. solar panels which initially cost a bunch although they save money over time.
Pass more parcel taxes to make up for lack of property taxes. In the Los Altos area, one parcel tax to continue benefits to the high school district was passed in June and 2 more are proposed for the November ballot, one for the elementary district and one for the community college district. The thought is that homeowners are more likely to support taxes for schools close by rather than taxes frittered, supposedly, by the state. If only legislation would pass designating a 55% majority instead of a 2/3 vote.
How about the governor’s fix? End the elected position of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and his/her department. Only keep the governor-appointed position of Secretary of Education.
Drop sports from the budgets of the University of California and State University. Lots of money saved to support liberal arts and engineering.
Finally, in February 2010 the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) distributed a proposal to reform unfunded school district mandates which eventually must be paid by the state.
Some mandates serve a purpose and are fundamental to the education of students, such as protection of student health and provision of essential assessment and oversight data.
Otherwise, the abundance of mandates legislated over the years should be eliminated; the reimbursement process simplified; or a different far-less-costly process designed to achieve the objective. An example of a mandate to be eliminated is the requirement to submit physical education data which is already collected during financial audits.
It is estimated that this one reform measure could save the state $350 million or more a year and instead be used to address school needs that have statewide interest, produce results, and are worth the cost.
Here lies one substantial piece to reform school finance. It may not be the Golden Fleece but surely a Golden Apple is waiting to be picked up.