Palo Alto Schools - Measure E

Palo Alto residents have always been supportive of their local schools. They are consistently among some of the best public schools in California. This past summer, Measure A, the Quality Public Education Preservation Act of 2010, passed with 79.4% of the votes, according to Support Palo Alto Schools. This vote kept many teachers from losing jobs, and essential instructional programs preserved. Now the Palo Alto community is being asked once again to step up and support education. This time is a little different, however.

Due to state budget cuts of more than $20 million in the last few years, Foothill and De Anza Colleges have suffered massive layoffs and program reductions. On the ballot this November is Measure E. This measure is asking for a $69 a year parcel tax that is much less than the Measure A tax of $589. Coming right on the heels of Measure A--that passed with a sweeping vote--there are concerns over Measure E.

Where Measure A supported local K-12 students in public schools, Measure E bolsters funding that benefits students who may not be community members. According to one citizen's comments, "The tax payers have been paying over $25M for the education of foreign students at Foothill and De Anza," as reported in Palo Alto Online. Would layoffs and cutbacks have been necessary if non-resident students paid for the actual cost of attending college? Without this funding, where will local high school graduates go who want to attend community college? These are tough questions for Palo Alto residents this November at the polls.

Sources:

http://www.supportpaloaltoschools2010.org/

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/square/index.php?i=3&d=1&t=13312