The issue: We must do what’s necessary to stave off further cuts in core school services

Two Sundays ago, we reported some pretty grim news about the Davis schools’ budget outlook. Even if Measure C passes next month, we’re facing a persistent $3.5 million deficit that we’ve been papering over with one-time budget fixes over the past several years.

Last Sunday, we laid out the details of Measure C, the parcel tax that will be decided in a mail-only election that ends March 6. Single-family homeowners would pay $320 per year and apartment dwellers $150 per year for five years. The tax would generate an estimated $6.5 million annually — 12 percent of the district’s budget — for classroom programs and other “basics” we’ve come to treasure in Davis.

TAKEN TOGETHER, we can see the enormity of the crisis looming for our schools. We desperately need the money Measure C would provide. In Davis, it’s unthinkable not to have music, art and science in the elementary schools, or athletics at the secondary schools.

Fewer librarians, counselors and instructional aides? Drastically pared-down offerings in social studies and foreign languages? Larger class sizes? That’s not our reality in Davis. But it could be a reality if the necessary two-thirds approval threshold for the parcel tax isn’t met.

Nearly 87 jobs would be slashed, jobs that range from English and math teachers to nurses and food preparation specialists. Class sizes will rise yet again.

But what of that persistent deficit? In the past four years, the school board has closed an elementary school, cut staffing at all levels, reduced salaries across the board, increased class sizes, eliminated some class offerings, given retirement incentives to senior teachers, spent reserve funds, improved student attendance (which brings more state funding), conserved on utilities and encouraged community fundraising.

But it hasn’t been enough, because the state continues to slash its support for schools as it wrestles with its own nagging budget crisis. Since 2009, California has chopped more than $1,000 per student from its base funding levels for schools.

Clearly, a long-term solution must be found for Davis schools if California can’t get its act together. But until then, we simply must open our wallets and approve Measure C funding to preserve the rich programs to which all of our students are entitled.

IF YOU HAVE children in school, your decision on Measure C is a no-brainer: You know that kids learn best in small classes where they get more individual attention from a teacher. You know they’re best stimulated, and engaged, when they have opportunities — like a seventh period in junior high school so they can explore music or art or a practical art like cooking or woodworking.

If you no longer have kids in school, don’t you want the same opportunities for your friends’ and neighbors’ children that your own offspring had?

And for all of us, this tax is an important investment in our community. If you’re a homeowner, you know this $320 pays dividend in your property value many times over.

We know Davisites are continuing to struggle in these challenging economic times. But we need to think about our priorities as individuals and our priorities as a community. Educating the next generation is our No. 1 job; Davis has always known that. It’s time to show it.

Vote yes on Measure C.

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