Berkeley Schools Sets March 5 Election On Measure E1 Renewal 

Press release from the Berkeley Unified School District:

BERKELEY, CA — At its November 1, 2023 meeting, the Board of Education approved a resolution calling an election to place the BSEP Measure on the Ballot on March 5, 2024 for renewal. The current measure, the Berkeley Public Schools Educational Excellence Act of 2016 (Measure E1), expires at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

November 1, 2023 Presentation to the Board
Approved Resolution and BSEP Measure Language

Background

Since 1986, Berkeley has helped fund our local schools through the Berkeley Schools
Excellence Program (BSEP). BSEP is a voter-approved source of locally controlled funding that helps our school libraries remain fully staffed with books and resources, support our struggling students, keep our class sizes small, and ensure all of our students have access to arts and music classes, along with other crucial supports for student engagement and success.

BSEP has allowed the District to provide enriching academic programs and support a well-rounded education that can enable and inspire our diverse student body to achieve academic excellence and make positive contributions to our world. If renewed, the current BSEP measure purposes will continue:

High Quality Instruction 66%

Small Class Sizes:

• Provides 30% of all classroom teachers in the K-12 Berkeley Public Schools.
• Grades K-5 school-wide average goal of 23
• Grades 6-12 average class size goal of 28

Support for Teaching, including professional development, classroom support, program evaluation, and expanded course offerings.

School Site Programs 10.25%

Gives each school discretionary funds for site-based programs such as arts and sciences instruction, academic tutoring and counseling, athletics and student activities, and before and after-school programs.

Music, Visual and Performing Arts Programs 6.25%

Provides 4th-8th grade teachers and staff, professional development, musical instruments and materials, services and equipment.

School Libraries 7.25%

Provides all funding for school libraries, including staff and books, materials, services, and equipment in every school.

Instructional Technology 3.25%

Provides instructional technology in schools, and access for students to computers and learning technology.

Effective Student Support (7% of net revenue)

• Student Achievement Strategies improve academic outcomes for struggling students
• Counseling and Behavioral Health funds provide support for behavioral and social- emotional issues that affect student learning
• Family Engagement and Access

Public Information and Oversight

Before allocation of resources to the above purposes, 2% of revenues are allocated in support of the BSEP Planning and Oversight Committee, School Site Councils, communication and translation services.
For more information visit the BSEP Website

This press release was produced by the Berkeley Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.