EdTrust-West released the following statement in response to 2020 California school ballot initiatives:

California is in a pivotal moment. In 1965, California was fifth in the nation in per student funding. Now California ranks 38th.

For our state to reach its full potential, we need more funding for our schools and colleges so that ALL students have the educational opportunities they need to succeed. This year, California voters have the opportunity to make critical investments in our schools with two revenue generating ballot measures.

The EdTrust-West is proud to endorse the California Public Preschool, Kindergarten and College Health and Safety Bond and Schools and Communities First. Both propositions will address education funding levels that are woefully inadequate to best serve California’s students – especially students of color, low-income students, and English learners. Here’s what you need to know:

• On the March 3, 2020 Ballot – The California Public Preschool, Kindergarten and College Health and Safety Bond will provide $15 billion for modernizing and making safety improvements to buildings, and for new construction. This bond covers all levels of public education from preschool to public universities.
• On the November 3, 2020 Ballot – Schools and Communities First will close tax loopholes that keep large companies from paying their fair share of property taxes. This initiative will require large businesses to pay property taxes at market rate, while maintaining Prop 13 property tax protections for homeowners and small businesses. This will provide an estimated $12 billion in revenue, about $4.8 billion of which will go to education.

We invite you to join us in supporting these crucial ballot initiatives. There are many ways you can get involved:

• Endorse the School Bond and Schools and Communities First
• Volunteer with Schools and Communities First
• Vote for the School Bond in March and Schools and Communities First in November

Follow and share about the ballot initiatives on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #safeschoolshealthylearning, #Prop13SchoolBond, and #SchoolsandCommunitiesFirst