Schools
Castro Valley teachers support 30, oppose Prop. 32
Prop. 30 will prevent unprecedented cuts to schools, while Prop. 32 threatens rights of working people, educators say unanimously
Castro Valley Teachers Association has officially endorsed Prop. 30 and opposed Prop. 32 by unanimous votes of its Representatives Council on Oct. 17.
Prop. 30 would prevent catastrophic cuts to K-12 schools and higher education. The measure would raise $6 billion per year for seven years through temporary tax increases on those earning $250,000 or more and a ¼ cent sales tax.
Gov. Jerry Brown, the Democratic Party, California Teachers Association and a wide coalition of business groups support Prop. 30.
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“Schools have reached the breaking point throughout California. We’ve faced annual budget cuts since 2008,” said CVTA President John Green. “In Castro Valley, we have fewer counselors supporting students at Creekside, Canyon, Redwood and CVHS. All sports funding has been cut. Elementary class and high school class sizes are the largest they’ve been in decades. School employees have less time to work with kids, because their hours have been cut as a cost-saving measure.
“Prop. 30 is the right measure on the ballot to protect vital services like public education and it’s the right course of action to take during a recession,” Green said. “It keeps our heads above water while parents, teachers and community figure out the next steps to fully fund public education in California.”
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Prop. 32 would sharply limit unions' ability to raise funds and prohibit them from contributing to political campaigns. Though supporters claim it's an even-handed campaign finance reform, it does nothing to stop corporations, out-of-state billionaires, and super PACs from spending limitless amounts to win elections.
The League of Women Voters, California Common Cause and newspapers from around the state oppose the measure. The Los Angeles Times calls it “a fraud to end all frauds.”
“Prop. 32 is a sneak attack on the middle class. It would silence the voices of working people and leave corporations and super PACs in control of California,” said CVTA Vice President Jason Berberian.
The union is neutral on Prop. 38, a tax measure competing with Prop. 30 that would increase rates on more Californians to benefit schools and early childhood programs.
