| Council Decides January 2004
Barbara E. Kerr: CTA continues to set the agenda for public education
In spite of California's shaky economy, the California Teachers Association was able to reach a budget agreement with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in January, once again proving its strength in Sacramento, CTA President Barbara E. Kerr told the State Council of Education Saturday morning.
"Because of you, CTA is strong. Because of you, CTA again proved its political leadership in Sacramento. Because of you, CTA will again set the agenda for public education in 2004," she said.
While some members were upset last year that CTA had taken a position against the recall of the governor, and more sent letters to her announcing that CTA was "washed up" in politics as a result of Gov. Schwarzenegger's election, Kerr affirmed this was not the case. In fact, she said, CTA began having discussions with the new governor last fall. The governor at that time told CTA officers that the state was $15 billion in the hole and he needed CTA's help to climb out.
As a result of those discussions, CTA and the governor reached an agreement that will protect education funding from mid-year cuts this year. Education funding for 2004-05 is increased by $2 billion. While that figure is half of what schools are owed under Prop. 98, it provides that funding levels for schools this year are carried over to next year, and adds cost of living adjustments to the formula. It also restores $200 million cut from the community colleges last year, fully funds Class Size Reduction, special education, and programs to help schools of greatest need. There will be pain and sacrifice, Kerr noted, "But I believe this is a good and fair agreement in the context of the state's fiscal crisis."
Kerr vowed, however, to continue to fight to preserve access to higher education and to preserve funding for the Healthy Families program.
Although California's schools may have dodged a bullet this year, it is clear that in order to get the resources the schools need, they are going to have to raise new revenues. That, Kerr explained, is why CTA is collecting 1 million signatures to place the Investing in Quality Education Act on the ballot. By increasing the commercial property tax rate from 1 to 1.55 percent, the act will provide more than $4.5 billion in new funding for the state's classrooms. One-third of the funds raised will provide voluntary, universal preschool.
"Passing an initiative that raises taxes will not be easy, but it is the right thing to do. Our students and schools can't wait any longer," she said.
Council pays tribute to Lois Tinson
Former CTA President Lois Tinson who died Dec. 28 was remembered by CTA's State Council during a special tribute Saturday morning.
 Elected as CTA's first African-American president in 1995, Tinson served two terms as president, from 1995 to 1999. She had previously served as secretary-treasurer from 1991 to 1995. During her tenure as CTA president, Tinson led efforts to secure passage of the state's landmark class size reduction law, which reduced class sizes for millions of students in kindergarten through third grade. She led CTA's fight to defeat Proposition 226, which threatened to silence the voices of teachers and working families.
Lois always had a warm smile for anyone she encountered. She encouraged everyone to live up to his or her greatest potential. She built coalitions comprised of all ethnic and racial groups in order to achieve CTA's goals and objectives. Her motto was "I may give out, but I will never give up," which she often said during her addresses to State Council and other audiences.
"She was a wonderful, wonderful dignified woman," said CTA President Barbara E. Kerr, who credited Tinson with helping CTA to become a more bipartisan organization. A video that was produced in her honor when she left office in 1995 was shown.
Council votes to support Propositions 57 and 58 on the March primary ballot
In an effort to protect public schools from potentially devastating cuts, the State Council voted to support Propositions 57 and 58 on the March ballot. Prop. 57, the Economic Recovery Bond Act, provides for a one-time $15 billion bond to help pay off the state's accumulated general fund deficit. Prop. 58, the California Balanced Budget Act requires enacting a balanced state budget every year, ensures that the Legislature never spends more money than it has and prohibits bond financing of any future deficits. Both propositions must pass for either to become law.
The motion was made by Rick McClure, chairperson of the Financing Public Education Committee and Barry Wilson, chairperson of the Political Involvement Committee, and was passed, overwhelmingly by the State Council.
"If this recovery package does not pass in March, the prospect of brutal cuts to education, health care and local police and firefighting is real and too painful to imagine," said CTA President Barbara E. Kerr in a news release sent out following the vote. "These initiatives and Proposition 55, the statewide school bond, must pass to put California back on the road to recovery and give our students the schools they deserve."
State Council is already on record as supporting two other initiatives on the March ballot: Proposition 55, the $12.3 billion school bond, and Prop. 56, which reduces from two-thirds to 55 percent the vote required by the Legislature to pass the state budget. State Council in October voted to support Howard Dean as Democratic candidate for president on the March 2 primary ballot.
Council takes care of business...
Several new faces will join the NEA board of directors from California following elections at State Council. Candidates were elected by waiving the ballot since there was no opposition. Among the new directors are: Don Dawson, District 4 (representing the Central Coast and Santa Clara); Charles L. Tubbs, Jr., District 5 (representing Channel Islands, and part of Bay Valley); Erroll Campbell, District 6/14 (representing UTLA/NEA); and Guy DeRosa, District 13 (representing Service Center One, and part of Orange). The term of office for the directors is from September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2007.
State Council also approved a list of budget principles for the 2004-05 budget year. The principles will be used as the basis to formulate actions around the budget. While there are several specific principles aimed at pre-K through 12, community college programs and California State University programs, overall, the principles state, "CTA believes the state and federal government should provide adequate funds for education in order that school districts can fulfill the goals of quality education and provide necessary resources to meet the individual needs of all students.
"The California Teachers Association recognizes the fiscal crisis that is facing lawmakers as they prepare the 2004-05 budget, particularly the portion that pertains to pre-K-HE (higher education) funding. CTA urges the legislature to target any reductions to areas where cuts would least affect instruction and support services."
State Council also reaffirmed its support of the striking grocery workers in Southern California and urged members to attend a rally on their behalf on Jan. 31, the day that workers' health benefits are scheduled to expire. One of the strike's central issues is employers wanting to sharply raise health care costs, a battle that many teachers are also fighting at bargaining tables in local school districts.
The Credentials and Professional Development Committee forwarded a version of The Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) Bingo to State Council that provides a playful yet serious look at the many requirements teachers must meet to be "highly qualified" under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. |
