op ed

Jacob Abea

Op Ed.

This November, we as American voters have a choice to re lift the American education system, or let it fall apart.  With prop 30 on the ballad, (supported by governor Brown) we can choose to help our state's youth. Proposition 30 is geared towards helping out states k-12 public schools and community colleges.Prop 30 states that there will be a 1% increase in personal income tax for everyone making $250,000 a year or more. This personal tax increase will be like this for 7 years, along with a sales tax increase of ¼ cent for 4 years. ¼ meaning that for every 4 dollars you spend, and extra 1 cent will be taken out due to taxes. The revenues that will be achieved from these actions, will be given directly to the schools of California. 89% of the revenue will go to the K-12 system, and 11% will go to the community colleges. whatever funds that aren't used for the educational system will be used for public safety as well. This includes places like the fire department, security, ambulances etc.

    California's educational system has been in an awful state for a long time. In a study done by the CBP (California Budget Project) California's educational system was ranked 46 out of 50! The study also states that in the K-12 system, California spends roughly $8,908 per student. Whereas the rest of the state on averages spends $11,764 per student. California also has an average of 20.5 students per teacher where the rest of the state has an average of 13.5 students per teacher. this is a sorry state we find ourselves in, and the education of our youth is more important than some people realize. without an educated youth, who will grow up to tun the nation when we are old? who will take on the hard jobs that require brilliant minds? The demand For college graduates employed is higher than ever now.
    If prop 30 passes, a simple 1 cent for every 4 dollars you spend, and the 1% increase in personal income tax for the wealthy, will bring in roughly $6 Billion of revenue to our school system! People who are against this proposition are afraid that this money will just end up being spent on pay roles and salaries, which is a valid thing to be afraid of i believe. However, in the prop itself it states that  the money will not just be given to the state. The money will be given to the local school boards, and the school boards will be deciding how the money is spent, in meetings that are open to the public. This works as a check and balance of the system, this way the $6Billion going to the schools will not be abused. I would also like to add that if this prop isn't passed, our K-12 and CC will take a major hit, losing roughly 5 billion dollars in cuts! due to our sorry state, California has already started to spend as if the prop has already passed. so if it doesn't pass, then we would have to dig ourselves out of the whole we putting yourself in.
    I Personally think that this prop is a must pass kind of vote, no questions asked. Our students need this. I would know, and not only because I am a 20 year old college student, but also because i am a teacher. for the Going on 3 years now i have been a certified teacher working for a non profit company doing after school care for the Santa Cruz elementary schools. I work with children from K-5th grade, and i love everyone of these kids with my entire heart! however, it kills me to hear about how there are too many students in their classes, and their teachers can't help everyone. Or that there isn't enough materials for everyone. Or That they are hungry because they food that they are getting served is gross and unappealing. These kids need help, There is no way that they can get ahead in this world with all of these obstacles holding them back. Not to mention its just as hard for me to gain the knowledge to help them. I am and early Childhood Education major, and due to all of the budget cuts the only classes that are available are from 6 to 9:30 pm! these children are my pride and joy, and all i want to do is help them as best as i can. If that means giving them a measly extra penny for every 4 dollars i spend, then i would do it in a heartbeat. Hell! i would give them more!