Leveling the Playing Field for Our Schools

By Judy Arnold

As a Novato councilmember, I would support Novato schools in their negotiations with the State over updating funding formulas. The State funds schools according to an old formula that takes into account pre-Proposition 13 local tax rates and a court ruling ordering equal funding. The intent of the law is that all districts get the same basic funding per student. It's a simple concept. I support stripping away the arcane formulas and starting over.

As a Novato councilmember, I would support Novato schools in their negotiations with the State over updating funding formulas. I also believe the Council should support our schools? fundraising efforts through contributing funding such as school crossing guards or offering city services such as police supervision at Blues by the Lake. These efforts are a vital investment in our future and will bring invaluable returns.

I have staffed the Joint Legislative Advisory Committee to the association of school board members and superintendents in Marin County for seven years. Six of the nineteen school districts in Marin are Basic Aid districts. Novato is a Revenue Limit district.

The State funds schools according to an old formula that takes into account pre-Proposition 13 local tax rates and a court ruling ordering equal funding. That formula produces a different number, known as the revenue limit, for each district. As a consequence, Novato receives far less per pupil than, for example, Kentfield, Ross, San Rafael or Dixie.

Novato's revenue limit is based on 1978 property taxes. The property taxes were among the lowest in the county when there were benched in 1978. At the time, the Hamilton Naval Base was still in operation and provided funding.

The intent of the law is that all districts get the same basic funding per student. It's a simple concept. I support stripping away the arcane formulas and starting over.

Novato parents are coming to the rescue during these difficult times by initiating the Emergency Education Fund and the long term Novato Foundation for Public Education. This concept of parents and community members contributing directly to schools is done in many other school districts, and I commend those responsible for beginning this practice in Novato. It does not, however, relieve the State of its responsibility to provide adequate funding for our schools.

I also believe that there should never be a litmus test applied for respect and tolerance. I support the work the school district and board are doing in diversity training in the classrooms.