HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 11762 (Proposition 98)RESOLUTION #11762
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
CALLING UPON THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO FULLY FUND
EDUCATION ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROPOSITION 98
WHEREAS, the vitality of a community depends on many factors, including quality schools,
health and public safety services, parks and recreation; and
WHEREAS, property values are closely tied with the quality of local public schools; and
WHEREAS, for most individuals, home ownership is the single largest investment they will
make; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of local governments to take steps to uphold the values of
property within their jurisdiction to support individual homeowners and businesses; and
WHEREAS, restoration of appropriate funding to public schools would make a step toward
protecting the well-being of public schools; and
WHEREAS, California's 6 million students deserve high quality schools with well-trained
educators, small class sizes, quality instructional materials, up-to-date textbooks, and dynamic
parental support; and
WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger made a promise to California's students and
schools to ensure adequate school funding and to support voter -approved Proposition 98; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's 2005-06 budget proposal breaks his promise to California's
students and undermines the education funding protections California voters supported; and
WHEREAS, California schools have suffered $9.8 billion in cuts in the last several years,
resulting in school closures, increases in class size, layoffs of teachers and support staff, and a
shortage of librarians, counselors, nurses, custodians, and groundskeepers throughout the state;
and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael City Schools and Dixie Elementary School District have
suffered more than $1,863,668 in cuts over the last three years, hurting local efforts to increase
parental involvement, ensure up-to-date materials, ensure ongoing teacher training, counseling
services, music, art, and library services, and guarantee small class sizes; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's budget proposal breaks his commitment to students and
schools, despite the fact that state revenues are actually higher than was projected when the
agreement was approved; and
WHEREAS, a recent study by the RAND Corporation found that California's K-12 school
system has fallen from its position as a national leader thirty years ago to its current ranking near
the bottom in every objective category; and
WHEREAS, California voters approved — and continue to strongly support — Proposition 98
to protect schools and students from harmful budget cuts, and to establish a minimum level of
education funding; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's budget proposal goes against the will of California voters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of San Rafael strongly
opposes the Governor's 2005-06 budget proposal, and urges the Governor to uphold the education
funding protections the voters say they want, and calls on the Governor to fully fund education
according to the requirements of Proposition 98.
I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of
said City on Monday, May 16, 2005, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS : Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips & Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk