[Editor’s Note: Mr. Elmont is one of six candidates for three opens on the School Board on Nov. 3.]
Taking time off from knocking on doors, I gathered with family and friends yesterday to offer a neutral setting and lots of home- baked confections for interested people to meet and chat with me about their primary concerns regarding School District.
Without surprise, the single looming issue for most was, is and remains the budget cuts — and in the same breath, Measure EE, the Parcel Tax, the proposed $96 a year tax to run for five years.
As the only School Board candidate who has read the District budget from front to back for the past 6 years as a member of the Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC), the concerns were of no surprise.
Understanding the difference between a bond and a parcel tax, capital funds vs. general fund, categorical funds vs. general funds and the challenges created by Sacramento, which has reduced our District funds from what once was $56 million to just over $48 million — with an additional $3 million in cuts to be made — was more challenging to articulate.
Supporting my efforts were, of course, my wife, Teri, and my 12-year-old twins, as expected.
To my delight, current School Board members Jessica Beagles-Roos and her husband Ken Roos, and Board member Scott Zeidman were present along with former School Board member Madeline Erhlick and her husband Paul Erhlich.
All joined me along with others to offer their support.
Everyone recognizes that there are no easy solutions.
But all shared the desire to minimize any impacts on students while continuing to grow the achievements our District has accomplished.
Some ideas shared with me mirror those I have presented to the District already.
Other ideas were totally unique, and they should be more fully explored.
It really is thrilling when concerned people gather together for a common purpose. I really believe that is what my candidacy is about, allowing concerned individuals to present conflicting ideas from which workable solutions can be crafted.
I must state that having so many diverse personalities rally in support of my candidacy is a quite humbling experience.
See AlanElmont.org or aelmont@ca.rr.com
