Yes on E and 30; no on 38

In your Oct. 19 Forum, an opponent of Measure E claimed that the measure “really doesn’t have anything to do with how kids learn in school.” This is not true, because Measure E has everything to do with how teachers teach and how kids learn in school.

If you want to understand why, just ask a Davis teacher what he or she will be dropping from the curriculum if Measure E and Proposition 30 don’t pass in November. They will tell you the truth: that if Measure E and Proposition fail, our local schools will lose $6.9 million (as reported in The Enterprise on Oct. 19).

As a direct consequence of cutting $6.9 million from an already decimated budget, students will be reading fewer books, writing fewer essays, doing fewer science experiments and studying less math if their teachers are on furlough (mandatory leaves without pay). And the furloughs could start as early as December, as one teacher regretfully told a classroom full of parents at a recent Back to School Night at DHS.

This teacher, like many others, believes his students need his attention — and the reading and writing assignments that will disappear if the election goes against the schools. If time is money, then lost money is also lost time: time learning that our children can’t afford to lose.

If you want to support our state’s public educational system at all levels, K-16 and beyond, vote for Proposition 30 rather than Proposition 38. The latter proposition, sponsored by multimillionaire Molly Munger, would not prevent the “trigger cuts” of $5.5 billion that will occur immediately if Proposition 30 fails, nor does Proposition 38 channel any funding to our public colleges and universities.

I once intended to vote “yes” on 30 and 38, thinking that it would be better for one education measure to pass than none. After more study, and after hearing from local teachers, I’ve changed my mind: Students’ welfare depends on the voters’ support of both Proposition 30 and Measure E.

If you want a thoughtful explanation of the differences between the two rival propositions, please read the article in the San Francisco Chronicle (Sept. 23) at http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/Vote-yes-on-Prop-30-no-on-Prop-38-3888244.php. Remember, if both propositions pass, the one with more votes will be implemented. And if Proposition 38 succeeds, it will be a great failure for our children, their schools and the future of California.

Margaret Ferguson

Davis