It was interesting at the School Board last night. After I scolded the School Board for not endorsing a resolution to support the “Tax On California Oil. Revenues to Education Initiative,” Scott Zeidman, the Board President, lamely asked if endorsement of the resolution by the Board would, if passed, bring funds to Culver City.
I have been asking the School Board at every meeting since July to simply endorse the initiative, which would bring a minimum of $3 billion to fund education statewide.
Here is the breakdown of how the money would be distributed and how much the Culver City School District would expect to receive if the resubmitted initiative passes.
The 15 per cent tax on the value of each barrel of oil extracted would be allocated for non-capital educational funding; 30 percent to K-12; 48 per cent to community colleges; 11 percent each to Cal State’s universities and to the University of California system.
According to the state Dept of Finance, 6.1 million students are enrolled in public schools.
Thirty percent of the $3 billion allocation for K-12 is $900,000,000.
If you divide that figure by 6.1 million students, that comes out to $145.55 per student statewide.
The Culver City School District has roughly 6,550 students.
This would mean the District would receive $953,360 every year.
Measure EE is bringing roughly $1.2 million per year.
The School Board endorsed the passage of the parcel tax Measure EE.
Why can't it pass a resolution endorsing the Tax on California Oil Revenues to Education Initiative statute?
It has been the vindictiveness of Mr. Zeidman and Board member Steve Gourley who have blocked passage of a resolution that would help our School District.
Mr. Gourley was not truthful when he said he wasn't given any information on this initiative and had the nerve to imply that I am a “village idiot” for bringing up my concerns to the Board.
Thankfully, Mr. Gourley, or “Oscar the Grouch” as his appropriate nickname applies, will be leaving the Board after the Nov. 8 election.
If Mr. Zeidman is re-elected I hope the other Board members will get him to reconsider his foolish resistance to passing a resolution that will help our schools.
Until then, Mr. Zeidman's complaints about the lack of school funding remain hollow and hypocritical as long as he is opposed to the Tax on California Oil initiative.
Mr. Zirgulis, a candidate for the School Board, may be contacted at at zirgulisr@yahoo.com
