Blog: Message to Community Regarding Propositions 30, 38

On November 6, California voters will cast their votes on a number of important ballot initiatives, including Proposition 30—The School and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012—and Proposition 38—Local Schools and Early Education Investment and Bond Debt Reduction Act. 

It’s not my role to tell you how to vote — that’s a personal choice. Instead, I simply wanted to let you know the impacts. 

Over the past five years, state education funding to LVUSD has been reduced by $10.8 million, which has led to an annual deficit of $3 million dollars. We have eliminated 80 teacher, administrator and classified support positions in that time span. 

Should Proposition 30 fail, and as a result new education reductions are instituted, we will receive an immediate $5 million cut in our annual state funding in the current year. We will have to eliminate as many as eight days of school for the remainder of this school year and as many as 20 for the next school year, plus reduce more staff positions. If Proposition 30 passes, LVUSD will receive the same funding in the current year that we received last year. 

At its October 9, 2012 meeting the School Board voted unanimously to support both Proposition 30 and 38. 

I want to take a moment to offer special thanks to our inspiring team who continue to ensure world class education: hard-working principals, dedicated instructional and support staff, supportive parents, and concerned community members as well as our fundraising partners, PFAs/PFCs, and T.H.E. Foundation…we all share our students' wonderful success! 

Please exercise your right to vote on November 6, 2012. 

All the best, 
Dan Stepenosky 
Superintendent of Schools 
Las Virgenes Unified School District