Schools
Deadline Approaching to Register to Vote on School Funding Measure
Measure H Would Raise $3 Million for Schools
The deadline is Monday (May 21) to register to vote in the June 5 primary election that will decide Measure H, a revenue measure that would mitigate some of the cuts forced on New Haven students – such as the reduced school year referenced above – because of the state's ongoing financial difficulties.Registration information is available through the Alameda County Registrar of Voters (www.acgov.org/rov).
What used to be known as absentee voting – now formally titled “vote-by-mail” – already is under way. While most voters will cast their ballots at the polls, the vote-by-mail system – formerly known as absentee voting – gives voters the option of receiving and casting their votes by mail. Registered voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot through the Registrar until May 29.
Measure H would raise an estimated $3 million to “support high-quality local elementary, middle and high school education to prepare students for college and careers with outstanding core academic programs in reading, writing, math and science and highly qualified teachers and classified staff,” according to the ballot statement. Currently, budget projections for 2012-13 include another increase to class sizes, another reduction of the instructional year and the elimination of elementary school specialists (music, science, etc.) and middle school electives (music, art, etc.). More than 100 precautionary layoff notices have been issued to teachers, classified employees and administrators, including counselors and all library/media specialists. Stipends for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities also are in jeopardy.
Find out what's happening in Union Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Measure H would authorize a parcel tax of $180 per year, with citizen oversight, no funds for administrators’ salaries and exemptions available for seniors (65 and older) and the disabled (those receiving Supplemental Security Income payments). The measure, which will expire after four years, requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
Story Courtesy of New Haven Unified School District.
