Marin Voice: California schools can lead the way once again

Marin public schools have received good news.

Due to state surpluses and increased property tax revenue, schools are expected to receive unusually large funding increases this year (6% to 13% increases). This funding has been described as a windfall, and we have been warned that it may go away. We should not let this happen.

The projected increases are insufficient. As Kate Lane, assistant superintendent in the Marin County Office of Education, noted in a recent news story in the IJ, California has had some of the most poorly funded schools in the nation. We have now just passed median funding levels. However, with our cost of living, this is not enough. For context, New York state spends $25,000 to our $14,000, and our funding is lower than Wyoming’s and on par with North Dakota.

We can do better. It’s time to return to a position of leadership. In the 1960s and ’70s, California public schools were among the best funded and best performing in the country. California’s extensive investment propelled us to become the fifth-largest economy in the world. Unfortunately, our education funding was also discriminatory. Court mandates to equalize funding prompted massive reductions via Proposition 13.

It pains me to hear fellow residents claim that Marin is “too poor,” although we are objectively much richer, to return to this level of spending. Some argue that funding levels are not as important as how the money is spent. They often ignore the legitimate reasons that funding often needs to increase faster than inflation. Education is a labor intensive field. We educate more students (including those with disabilities) for more years (as high school drop-out rates continue to decrease). Research confirms that increased spending improves results and has a positive return to the community.

As one of the richest societies ever, we should lead in educational funding. Our expected increases won’t cover the following needs, all of which would have a positive return:

• Fully funded preschool: The state is making a step in the right direction by partially funding transitional kindergarten. Funding should be increased and start at preschool, not transitional kindergarten. The Head Start program has proven that preschool improves outcomes. It also eases the enormous burden of childcare for families, allowing in greater participation in work outside the home.

• Re-establish school bus service: State Sen. Nancy Skinner’s Senate Bill 878 (aka the “Road to Success Act”) promises to do this. California is last in school bus service. School buses reduce traffic and greenhouse emissions, reduce absenteeism and increase graduation rates. This requires funding, and benefits all Californians, not just students and their parents.

• Arts and music education should be available at every school, as California Proposition 28, on the ballot this November, proposes. Art and music studies are too often viewed as optional in education. This is shortsighted. Even if one views education as job training, we need future workers trained in the arts. Every building, product, website and video require the work of creative people. Students with arts education achieve better writing and math results.

• Schools need improved air conditioning and upgraded ventilation. Doing so improves student outcomes. Global warming and the COVID-19 pandemic make this an even higher priority. Some Marin classrooms do not have air conditioning. Many of these facilities were built more than 50 years ago, when Marin was much less affluent. We can invest to improve them.

• Increase teacher salaries: This is becoming increasingly critical. There was a nationwide teacher shortage prior to the pandemic. Now it is hitting a crisis point. Almost half of teachers are considering leaving their jobs. Some districts across the country are addressing the crisis by increasing class sizes or shortening the school year. These are harmful solutions.

Coronavirus has made teaching a riskier and more challenging profession. Teachers are responding by leaving the profession. Compensation needs to be increased.

There is only one way to get funding levels higher. Voters must demand it. California flourished from its investment in education in the 60s and 70s. Governor Newsom has taken the beginning steps to return to this legacy, but we still have a long way to go.

Jennifer Silva is a Sausalito resident and the former CEO of Sheet Music Plus.