Donna Ruebusch on Proposition 55: Residents take stands on two propositions funding education in California

Published in the October 26 – November 8, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Donna Ruebusch

Donna Ruebusch

On Nov. 8 I’ll be voting “yes” on Proposition 55. My fellow trustees agreed with me that Proposition 55 is essential legislation to provide much needed school funding. As a board we voted unanimously in favor of a Resolution to Support Proposition 55 at our Sept. 20 meeting.

During the recession that began in 2008 and continued through 2012, the Morgan Hill Unified School District acted on budget reductions totaling more than $15 million. That meant teacher layoffs, reduced instructional materials, larger class sizes and cuts to other vital services for our students.

The passage of Proposition 30 in 2012 helped restore vital services and stopped the devastating cuts to our classrooms. Currently, according to Proposition 30 funding MHUSD receives $1.6 million that directly supports classroom instruction.

The Proposition 30 money has been spent on instructional related services such as funding our instructional libraries and media and technology programs. Morgan Hill Unified School District has expanded guidance, counseling and psychological services to our students. Proposition 55 extends by 12 years a tax imposed on the high-income earners in our state and will help offset the sunset of Proposition 30 dollars.

If Proposition 55 does not pass, there will be a $9.5 billion hole that would put cuts to education back on the table. In addition Proposition 55 will allow the district to continue to offer health care for our students from low income families.

Many of our California’s school children come from low income families that lack the access to the health care services needed to keep those children in school and learning. Our students deserve a well-funded education.

Currently, California public schools rank 42nd out of the 50 states in per-pupil spending. A “yes” vote on Proposition 55 will help to ensure no teacher layoffs, well-supplied classrooms and provisions for the health and well-being of our students.

Donna Ruebusch is a member of the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees. She was a high school educator in Morgan Hill for 37 years, and she was selected as the 2010 Teacher of the Year.