District anticipates results of Prop 30

Beginning this year, Principal Mitzi Cress had to make significant budget cuts which affected several school-wide programs across a broad range, and in total, 16 “sections” of sports, academics, and clubs were removed from the Pen High curriculum.

The cause of these budget cuts is the lack of public-school funding in California, and in an attempt to rectify the issue, two measures, Proposition 30 and 38, both propse to raise more money for statewide public education.

Proposition 30 is represented by Governor Jerry Brown. This proposition aims to raise $9.8 billion annually for the General Fund by increasing income tax for the highest earners in California. (cont. 3)

This would also entail a sales tax increase of 0.25 cents for four years. In contrast, Molly Munger, a California attorney, in association with the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), supports Proposition 38.

Proposition 38 would raise $10 billion directly for K-12 schools by raising taxes for most California earners.

Although both will provide money for the education budget, 30 provides a more general education budget, and 38 specifically creates an annual budget for K-12 schooling.

Another controversial aspect of the election is the possibility of both propositions passing. If this happens, the proposition with the most votes would be implemented.

Several conditions of the losing proposition, however, could be added to the winning one, therefore creating a mix of the two propositions.

If either passes, Peninsula, like other California public high schools, would receive increased funding in order to reinstitute clubs, sports and classes that had been cut.

“I just want funding for our school,” Cress said. “I want something to pass in order to help education.”

A major concern for the opposing groups and all schools in the state is if neither proposition passes this November. If so, $4.8 billion will be cut in K-12 education, and one billion will be cut from higher education, predominantly CSUs and UCs.

In addition, the length of the school year would be decreased by up to three weeks and the average funding per enrolled student would decrease.

These cuts could be implemented as early as midyear 2013 and definitely by the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

“If things keep going as they are going, we are in deep trouble,” Cress said.