“… shall be authorized to be used (i) to attract and retain highly qualified and credentialed teachers in District-run schools by offering compensation that is competitive with other Bay Area School districts…”

I read that legal-ese as meaning across-the-board pay-raises for all the teachers. The rest of the text of the measure, and the County Counsel’s analysis agree.

Charter schools do not need any more money either.

If the money is intended for teachers, it should be explained how the money will get to them.

I’m dismayed along with Kakishiba. It’s just depressing.

In the past 4 years that I have lived in Oakland, here is a list of ballot initiatives that have been proposed.

Measure Y- passed. Although not specifically about schools, the initiative was widely promoted as being targeted towards at risk youth, after school programs, etc.

Measure B- passed. School facilities bond

Measure N- did not pass. Library improvements and new construction

Measure A/B-did not pass. Children’s Hospital expansion and improvements

Measure G- passed. OUSD parcel tax; continuation of previous tax levy

Now we have two additional tax levies proposed by OUSD, plus a possible expansion of Measure Y, and an expansion of Measure K/Kid’s First. I have not seen the any ballot text related to Measure Y or K, so I cannot say whether or not they will require an additional tax. However, I often wonder if these proposals if passed will have a quantifiable positive impact, or if they amount to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Besides, that’s money people homeowners need to send their kids to church or other private schools. The only taxes the OUSD families directly pay is the sales tax. What percentage of OUSD students are from homeowning families?

Property owners are not likely to be inclined to Vote OUSD more funds – and property owners vote at a higher rate than non-property owners – especially on proposed property tax increases. Doesn’t Prop 13 require a supermajority for any tax increases?

I haven’t heard of successful CA local votes to increase property taxes to raise money for school operating revenue. I don’t see this as likely to pass.

Basically, my grievance is that 1/3 of my take home salary goes to pay for a basic preschool (without a specialized philosophy or amenities like many private preschools–I pay for after-care amenities) and this will continue for the next 2 years since we do not qualify for free preschool at an OUSD CDC or other despite the fact that some of these centers are crumbling and delapitated appearing like Hintil.

Then, one third of my take home salary goes to rent, since I do not, and will not ever have access to non-working wealth, aka inheritance, gifting, or awards like lottery, etc, etc., a longshot for anyone. The last third of my take home salary goes for food, gas, and a minimum of going out to eat that doesn’t exceed 12-15 dollar range. My salary doesnt pay for short/long term savings, retirement, a car loan, a home loan even if I could qualify which is beyond any reality anyway, etc, etc, etc. Basically, I question why I ever went to college or tried to move up the socio-economic ladder I now believe I was indoctrinated to believe existed, exists. On the front line, I feel the benefits of working as a teacher and positively influencing children. I feel that I serve fully and unconditionally with love and from the genuine care and concern for the next generation. In fact, I have an obligation as a mother to model for my son morals and standards I believe are proper to sustain.

I am disturbed that this parcel tax initiative would benefit charter schools and independently run schools. What makes their teachers more deserving than me? I have done everything I was taught to do and pulled my own self up by the boot-straps to ascertain and maintain myself and my child.

If they can’t give cash benefits like raises in salaries due to budget crisis or any other reason, why don’t they give teachers like myself a Section 8 like credit for renter teachers and a childcare/preschool voucher just like they give welfare mothers. If my salary can’t increase, then why don’t I get some other vouchers from local business or corporations to maximize the value of my salary so I am not equivalent to a welfare mother.

A retired teacher I know was very disturbed by my comments about me questioning why I ever decided to improve myself by going to college and reaching beyond my working class welfare mother relatives. I have watched craigslist for 2 years and know the reality of being a renter. If I could have the School District bargaining team match what I am currently paying for rent then I would increase the value of my salary.

If there was a real interest in settling contract negotiations all over Oakland, City Employees as well, then maybe the implications of this parcel tax proposal could be assessed by someone from the Oakland Black Caucus, could have Editor Sanjeev of “The Oakland Digest” give us a report similar to the report on what’s stalling contract negotiations with the City like in the June 2008 issue.