PTA
One of the most important functions of the PTA is to provide information to its members about legislation and activities related to the education of their children. PTA also participates in the legislative process by encouraging citizens to vote, by providing information and by advocating for PTA positions.
Every month the George White Elementary School PTA will provide an update on key issues, including developments on education issues at the federal, state and local level. Our PTA will also produce alerts concerning impending legislation and budget issues. Look for these important legislative updates on our website, via the PTA listserv, and in our PTA newsletter.
CUCPTSA Legislation Newsletter – November 2009
LOCAL
- CUSD Special Board Meeting on Saturday October 24. The board voted to retain legal counsel to represent CUSD in connection with the decision of the OC Committee on School District Organization. CUSD is seeking a change in the date of the election from June 2010 to November 2010.
- CUCPTSA Position on Changing the way in which Trustees are Elected. A committee was formed but no position has been taken on the issue at this point.
- CUSD Budget. The CUSD Board is continuing to attempt to identify $25 million in cuts from the 2010/2011 budget. Discussions are being held at each monthly CUSD board meeting .
- Negotiations continue with CUEA (Teachers), CSEA (Classified Staff) and the Teamsters. The District and CUEA have agreed to offer another health benefit plan option, referred to as “Option C” that will save the district money in premiums. Both CUEA and CUMA have agreed to offer this plan to their members.
- CUCPTSA Legislation Team Facebook Page. The CUCPTSA Legislation Team received approval from CUCPTSA Council to create a Legislation Team Facebook group page and it is now live.
STATE
- Race to the Top update. This week, both the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee passed SB X5 1 Public Schools and SB X5 2 Public data. The bills will now go to the Assembly. Both bills help put California in compliance with federal requirements to apply for the Race to the Top grant money.
- State Governance Reform. On October 28th, Repair California (Bay Area Council) turned in ballot language to call the first Constitutional Convention in California in more than 130 years.
The voters will be asked to:
1. Amend the Constitution to permit them shelves to call a convention; and
2. They’ll be asked to actually call it.
- On October 30, the California Forward Action Fund submitted a pair of nonpartisan initiatives to reform the state budget process and protect funding for local services.
· The Senate and Assembly select committees on Improving State Government are each comprised of 10 members -- seven Democrats and three Republicans convened the first joint hearing on October 22.
· Election Outcomes and Updates. John Garamendi is the new U.S congressman from the 10th District. The Governor is expected to appoint a new lieutenant governor and the Legislature has 90 days to confirm or reject his choice. Democrat Gavin Newsom dropped out of the race for governor.
- State Budget Update. AB 17XXXX, passed this summer, will increase tax withholdings schedules by 10% starting November 1, 2009. This equates to a $1.7 billion; 0% interest loan to the State to fill budget gaps.
FEDERAL
- NCLB/ESEA: Obama supports the use of pupil assessment data for teacher evaluations and it is part of both the Race to the Top and NCLB/ESEA reauthorization discussion.
- NAEP Test Report – According to a recent report on state proficiency standards, California ranks 6th for 8th grade reading, 11th for 4th grade reading, and 19th for 4th grade math.
- ARRA – You can access detailed information about ARRA funding at the school district level by going to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ar/rr/index.asp, scrolling down to ARRA Section 1512 Reported Data, and selecting one of the subcategories (IDEA, Title I, SFSF, etc.).
