While the measure not passing may hurt in the short term, let's hope it leads long term change and find out way out of this mess.

What I hope doesn't happen is that the No supports claim "victory." There are no winners in this game. Its a lose-lose situation, but we all need to figure out what we can do to ease the pain.

The good news is that there are majority of the voters are in support of the measure, so maybe some fund raising can bring some money back into the schools (I'm sure that many Yes and NO voters would be willing to help - jsut not int he form of a parcel tax)

I hope school board meetings are standing room only for a long time and we keep board members with a desire to make a change and elect new one with the same philosophy - my guess is that we will quickly go back to our lives, ignoring what's happening and then complain when something we don't like happens. I am just as guilty as almost everyone else.

In case you couldn't tell, I did vote Yes.

An article in sfgate.com mentions that Piedmont property owners pay roughly $2,000 each in parcel taxes to the schools. Wow!

27.7% of registered voters making decisions for 100% of property owners... go low-turnout special elections!

I thought the measure was a slam dunk given the excessive funding by the teacher's union promoting it (supported by the PW- keep those step and column increases coming!) as well as the proven technique of pushing the vote to an off day where only the "driven" go to the polls. But, maybe people have really woken up to how they have traditionally been manipulated by the politicos and their union allies. We shall see.... If it fails, I will be surprised.

Me too, I believe you said you were new to the blogs on this topic. I have said there would be no victory, just much work to find the solutions. I hope they will be long-term--if the measure fails.

I think it shows a certain kind of hope. A hope that things can be fixed using brains, not the braun or dollar bills. I hope the No's do what they can and the yeses don't throw in the towel and say, "I tried and nobody cares so why should I." This is finally the time to come together and fix this thing. Roll up your sleeves P-Town.

I too voted yes on G. If it passes I would certainly expect our district employees and especially administrators to take pay cuts. Make the hard decisions now and prepare for harder times ahead given how politicans can't figure out how to act responsibly. If the employees from the superintendant down to the night janitor don't like this idea then go find a job somewhere else, and good luck! Most of us have had to take pay cuts in this economy, especially those of us who work for ourselves. Pleasanton will overcome these hard times and it's about time those responsible for spending our hard earned tax dollars act fiscally conservative and watch our money like we watch our business overhead.

9:13PM
June 2, 2009

I am feeling sick to my stomach realizing the possibility that Measure G might not pass.

Watch out for a very rough ride, Pleasanton. Here was our chance to save our children, our schools and our city. Everything will go spiraling down from now on. You should still have voted for the lesser of the two evils.


To the "No on Measure G" people, may your conscience carry the burden of our downfall.

Signing off, but keeping a sliver of hope...

I'm shocked that former school board members and a current school board member are against Measure G. Shame on you all. If Measure G does not garner the necessary 2/3rds majority I do not want to hear all the complaining when the quality of the education for our students is drastically impacted and the value of our homes in Pleasanton decrease even further in value. I see the voters in Piedmont have stepped up to the plate. Hopefully the Pleasanton voters will as well. Another potential example of the minority controlling the majority. Shame on the selfish people of Pleasanton who did not support Measure G. I know it's all about your pocketbooks. Have fun with the $233. Have a nice night out on the students of Pleasanton.

Seems like pretty early data given it was reported at 8:01 - just after the polls closed. Hopefully this is absentee balloting that usually skews more conservative.

Dave,

I am exactly where you are with the expectation of the pay cuts/salary freezes, reversing improper administrative raises one year ago, etc,

But the difference is I voted no on G. I just wanted the community to have more leverage.

Our school district won't tank IF (and it is still uncertain...) this doesn't pass. We have one year of funding to use up and after we get the horse back in front of the cart, we can really drive and get going!

All is NOT lost if Measure G fails (I know, I know...it isn't over...that's why I said, "If"!), but we will not lose anything.

No one against G was truly against funding...we just wanted better timing and proper accountability for programs, etc.

"If it passes I would certainly expect our district employees and especially administrators to take pay cuts". Are you crazy????? They will NEVER take pay cuts unless it fails and they are forced to do that. If it passes the money will go for the teacher raises and nothing will change. We must all hope that it fails and it forces the district to make cuts in order to survive.
Kenny, you can cut the drama queen act already -- "Here was our chance to save our children, our schools and our city". The ONLY thing that would be saved is the raises. $15M in 4 years, more than the entire sum of the parcel tax revenue.

Now it starts... blaming voters who voted against Measure G.

How about placing blame where this started, at the heads of those who ran the school district for the past few years and made financial bets on the future instead of preparing the District?

"I have said there would be no victory, just much work to find the solutions. I hope they will be long-term--if the measure fails."

Sounds like we are on the same wave-length (sorry I missed that in previous post - as you mentioned, I'm late to the party). This is truly a challenging time and will be a huge challenge for our district as will as most other across the state.

These are not good times - one interesting note is that the students (especially those in high schools who can realize it) have never seen difficult times before and who need to learn the value of money. There are certainly lessons to be learned by everyone. There are young people in the work force who have never experienced difficult financial times before (ever through their parents) and can't figure out why they are losing their jobs.

If G fails, our children will have large class sizes so any proposed personal donation dollars will go to help out classes at capacity. Wonderful: more supplies for a classroom bursting at the seams. Maybe it can go toward a megaphone so 2nd grader #29 can be called over quickly for his/her 3 minutes of conferring with the teacher. I'm sure this will lead to awesome reading and writing gains.

I'd love to have No-ers come visit classrooms and see what actually happens there, what people do and believe, and the value that teachers provide to children and the community. Most people have no idea what actually happens, how hard teachers work (with that ever-present smile,) all the challenges that are handled so well, and the sacrifices that are made ALL THE TIME.

By the way, "step and column" regulations are at a higher level than our Pleasanton APT - PUSDw/APT can freeze it, but, CA-level regs state that withheld monies must be paid back *in full* within three years. This is not an APT thing, and with the economic forecast, this freeze and three-year payback would not be a good bet. Facts are good to have, eh?

Downtown neighborhood: Measure G has nothing to do with teacher raises. Measure G, like Measure B years ago, clearly indicates where the money would be directed and teacher raises is not one of them. Did you read Measure G. Doesn't sound like it.

I am absolutely DEVESTATED at the thought of my 5-year old daughter heading to kindergarten with 32 kids in her class, as well as the potential cuts to other programs. Shame on Pleasanton if Measure G does not pass! It may only be a band-aid, but it would give us 4 years to find a more long-lasting solution!

Doom and Gloom from the Yeses. No gloating from the Nos. I'm a 5th generation Pleasantonian (not many can say that). Mex-American war, Great Depression, Viet Nam, etc....G isn't going to sink this town.

"We have one year of funding to use up"

What does that mean? Current projections are a $16.5 million dollar shortfall - with perhaps $8.1 million from federal funds (if the state doesn't take all of that). I don't think the district has $8.4 million laying around - especially after the cuts this year. But hey, maybe I am missing something.

"How about placing blame where this started, at the heads of those who ran the school district for the past few years and made financial bets on the future instead of preparing the District?"

Stacey - once again, you voted for them - put forth a recall election on the board if they are that bad.

Love the facts without the wisdom -- synthesis is advised.


"Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, 6 minutes ago
Stacey is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly
...How about placing blame where this started, at the heads of those who ran the school district for the past few years and made financial bets on the future instead of preparing the District?"

Short term? Wont' hurt children?

A child who leaves first grade reading behind grade level has a 85% chance of NEVER reading on grade level the rest of his or her school career. THIS IS research!!!! So, tell this to the first graders who are in a packed classroom without a reading specialist or Barton teacher to help them avoid a LIFETIME of failure!!!! They only have one year, NEXT year as a first grader.
If you ever had a struggling reader or a child with dyslexia in your family, you might understand "just a year" affects a child's entire life.

For those who constantly moan and groan about teacher's salaries, remember that most live in Pleasanton, and all spend a lot of money in the city. We all forget that, yes, there are many people who are paid by the government, but they all spend money, too. Teachers shop at our stores, they eat at our restaurants, they attend our events. Just a thought...

so glad someone else commented on former school board and city council members being against Measure G....they sure were enjoying the good life on the city and school district of Pleasanton, partying and taking handouts when things were robust....you should be ashamed of yourselves.....those of us that have lived here long enough remember and whether Measure G passes or not, you are all has been attention getters

Hi. Would someone please tell me why there is still supposedly hope left for G? I know it needs a 66.6 majority to pass. Is there still more voting left? Forgive me for not knowing.

I hope the no on G people can live with themselves if this fails- They are the ones to blame- make no mistake!!!!

I knew this was a loser, just like the bunch of yes voters. The solution: SHUT DOWN THE SCHOOLS

Where does the constitution say I have to pay to educate your brats?

We win you lose.

Stacey: You have no clue. The PUSD is one of the best run districts in the state if not in the country. What caused the shortfalls is the economy of our state and our nation. Please don't blame the district unless you present specific evidence to back up your claim. I'm sick and tired of those who sit back and take pot shots at all the leaders of our community. My guess is you weren't anywhere around assisting with helping our school district and our students. You are one of many, unfortunately, who do nothing but throw out blame. Why don't you run for school board and show us all you can do. It's time for all those who have nothing better to do to step up and put in the numerous hours that the leaders of our community do, including our school board members. It's easy to bitch, but I'd rather see how you would change things.

Me too,

$8.1 million is on it's way from ARRA (aka stimulus money). The ARRA monies come all at one time and according to the district budget, tht amount will cover the school year 09-10.

Incoming Kindergarten Mom,

I am also a K Mom Fall '09 and with ARRA's funding CSR is safe...for next year. If G doesn't pass, and cuts are not made in the priciest part of the district (salaries), then we either need a parcel tax or we cut CSR. Don't fret for this fall no matter what happens today. CSR is fine. They won't do it either way as we'd have thier heads. CSR is THE single most important issue to the community. Talk about, "Heads will roll..."

It is not the No o G folks fault. They are losing the battle, but may win the war. They are definitely in the minority, but the facts are that the state of California requires a 2/3 vote to increase taxes (that's a supermajority in my book). Most Pleasantonians favor the parcel tax, just not enough to overcome a 2/3 vote.

And I'm sick and tired of hearing that people who voted No on G are "haters", or "child abusers" (yes, someone actually wrote that), or somehow it's our fault about Pleasanton education suddenly going to be devastating.

Get a clue and direct your anger where it will be most effective.

You pro g-ers are too late to make your voices known. Stacey and Kathleen R among others have been have been rallying against measure g for more than a month... You people had all this time to properly rally against them. You failed. And so did measure g. Those two have definitely influenced voters. And not enough people were there to stop them. It is over.

Some of the comments that were made are so ignorant. The proposal is not going to salaries. Also Pleasanton employees pay for all of their benefits out of their salaries. Up to 3,000 a month for medical alone. Pleasanton schools keep your property value up. Pleasanton has one of the best reputations. You're not willing to spend 19.00 a month for schools? The kids are the ones that are going to suffer. Also administrators and teachers voted to take a pay cut. Many Pleasanton citizens work in the district from custodians, aides, bus drivers, teachers etc. It's going to hurt all of us.

To various posts: Two former school board members were; no current board members; no council members as far as I know. I've been in the classrooms--have a grandchild in this system. My children attended as well. Partying and taking handouts, from whom and for what? I served on the board from 90-93 when all we did was cut all three years. Please provide facts.

Had I been anonymous out here, I would have been accused of hiding behind a false name rather than speaking openly.

Take a breath....the sky isn't falling. We can do this thing! Can we fix it? Yes we can! Lets take a lesson from our kids.

"They are definitely in the minority"

What a joke. Don't you get it. Your side lost. People want vouchers. People want private schools. You are in the minority. People spoke loud and clear.

Dear Privatize: I truly hope you are kidding, but if you are not you are one of the most ignorant people I have ever seen. I'm assuming you did not have a public education as a child. Maybe your Mommy and Daddy were real rich and your were able to get a wonderful private education. But from your commnets, I'm wondering if you even received an education. By the way, whose brat were you? Or were you hatched. What an idiot.

Stacey - like it's been stated before: where are your specifics?
You sound informed though your constant stream of facts don't coalesce to produce anything of worth. You spend a lot of time on your hamster wheel - sorry people were mesmerized by the dizzying spin.


"Get a clue and direct your anger where it will be most effective."

Take a Breath,

I like the way you think....let's pull together and be part of the solution. The blame game is over, not to over-use the phrase...but...let's do this for the children.

I get it. I voted NO. But the no votes are still in the minority. You need to do a little research on privatization of public schools. It has failed every time. Why? We can't fire the clients. Why do elite private schools work? Because they don't take second language students, few if any special education students, and students with behavioral problems. (they will take them if they are superstar athletes, though) Vouchers are for poor districts. You seem to know little to nothing about vouchers. You don't get it!

To all of those who want to blame your fellow citizens who were asked to vote on this by the school board,

It doesn't matter if you were yes or no on G, we both cared enough about the problem to put our energies into one side or the other. We disagree on the solutions, but the common thread is that we care about what happens. It is a mistake to behave as if the other side is somehow evil.

I just hope all of you who what seems like all day to spend on your computers get out and volunteer in our schools. On second thought, I am not sure you have the personal skills or intellect to help our students.

You said it Stacey! It is the Yes on G people that are the real child haters, not the no on G people. Public schools are a form or child abuse.

Vouchers now! This will be good in the long run. As the public system continues to fall apart there will be no choice. This is great news.

Take a breath...

Thanks for quoting what is on at my house every day! Bob the Builder gets it! :)

And thanks for a good tone reminder.

The district gave us a shot at a solution. But it really needs to come from us.

We don't know if this passed or failed, yet. Let's wait, and then regroup. These ballot results don't include people in Louisiana or NY or Washington State...they are OUR results, which mean a LOT of us care to go to the polls on yet another special election date.

Doesn't that say a bit more about this community than the results of one measure? I believe so.

You are all my neighbors, each others neighbors. Let's not let this rip us apart. We can disagree, but we agree we want to do something over at the district!

United we stand; divided we fall.

Dear Incoming Kindergarten mom, a member of the Walnut Grove Elementary who says: "I am absolutely DEVESTATED at the thought of my 5-year old daughter heading to kindergarten with 32 kids in her class"

honestly, I cannot believe you are "DEVASTATED". It must certainly be your "youth" to react w/ devastation Both my brother and I went to a school back east where the class size was 40 students/class. Granted I am 49 yrs old now and my brother 52. So I know times have changed. We came from a very poor family so our success was not the result of tutoring benefits or higly educated parents etc. My brother graduated w/ a PHD @ the age of 28 and I graduated w/ a MBA @ the age of 29.

I point this out because I really think you need to revisit your response to this. your 5 yr old will be just fine. Sounds like he as a supportive family who is willing to invest in him/her whatever you think may be lost by having a class size 32. Really

"get out and volunteer in our schools."

Baloney. Why try to put lipstick on a pig? Public schools are crap! I will not waste my time that way and I hope you have sense enough not to either. The only way to fix this mess is to send them to private schools.

Didn't you get the memo?

But the big question now is, what will PUSD do?

In regard to: "If it passes I would certainly expect our district employees and especially administrators to take pay cuts". Are you crazy????? They will NEVER take pay cuts unless it fails and they are forced to do that. If it passes the money will go for the teacher raises and nothing will change."

In case you haven't heard, Pleasanton teachers voted to take a pay cut if the parcel tax passes. The teachers are playing their part with the community and to help out students. This money will not be going towards salary increases... get your facts straight.

Hmmm...an interesting pattern:
When questioned about "logical" facts, switch to moral tone.
When questioned about moral values, switch to "logical" facts.
Basic, beginner tactic, but it has proven useful over the months on the PWeekly blog for Stacey.


"Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, 0 minutes ago
Stacey is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly

To all of those who want to blame your fellow citizens who were asked to vote on this by the school board,

It doesn't matter if you were yes or no on G, we both cared enough about the problem to put our energies into one side or the other. We disagree on the solutions, but the common thread is that we care about what happens. It is a mistake to behave as if the other side is somehow evil."

"They won't do it either way as we'd have thier heads. CSR is THE single most important issue to the community. Talk about, "Heads will roll..."

It has been explained many times on these blogs that due to the immense cuts to school funding from the state, the district simply can not fund the schools the same as they currently are. Many have said that PUSD is just using threats, but don't say you were not told if Measure G is defeated and the class sizes increase. The schools have already had to prepare for both scenarios. It is not a threat, but then again, we tried to say that.

If Pleasanton schools go downhill, we can thank the Tea Bag Party Crew. You know, the ones that can't bring themselves to pay one more tax, even if the tax helps our schools in difficult times. This is selfishness in its truest form.

Doh, dee-doh, duh, dur-dur - what else can one say to this?
Have to laugh! :)

"Posted by Privatize, a resident of another community, 0 minutes ago
"get out and volunteer in our schools."
Baloney. Why try to put lipstick on a pig? Public schools are crap! I will not waste my time that way and I hope you have sense enough not to either. The only way to fix this mess is to send them to private schools.
Didn't you get the memo?"

As a PUSD employee, this election has been very sad for me to witness. It may be true that the district has made some mistakes, but look at who this is going to affect--all of our children. If it comes out that the community voted NO on G, just realize that you are not putting your kids first. The money was going to go specifically to class size reduction, counselors and reading specialists. Pleasanton will have to kiss all of these important programs goodbye. Look at who you are hurting instead of pointing fingers.

If this fails I can't wait to see Kathleen Ruegsegger on her broom flying away as she leads her charges for a new PUSD...

Seriously privatize what the hell is going on in that brain of yours? if you truly think that vouchers and all that stuff works you need to go back to school. Amador, a public school, has taught me all about how they have failed time and time again! you sir need to get off your lazy butt and learn something, your ignorance shows exactly what private schools do to people. I would hate to see teachers being cut, sports losing funding, and special programs being shut down because of people like you.

T,

You are welcome to pour yourself over the posts I've written on this topic since January. No need for me to be redundant now that the election has come and gone. Use Google to search for them.

Our children will suffer only because the employees say they will punish the children if you don't support their salaries and benefits at the current level....

Milton Friedman didn't say just privatize the poor districts, he said privatize them all. I think he knows a little bit more about it than any of us here. Where in the constitution does it say that I have to pay to educate your children. I though this was a free country. Looks like the voters agree.

Just a quick fact for all of you that say G will only benefit the salaries of our teachers instead of the children, I have 2 comments: 1) read the fricken proposition, it clearly states where the money is being distributed. 2) if G does pass all teachers agreed to take a 1% pay cut FYI

Can we all just tone it down a little here? The results haven't changed since they were first posted. No additional data has become available. It looks like a lot of people are either posting under new names or coming into the debate WAY too late...

Privatize, maybe you should go ask Amador's Comp Civic team (who happened to beat out hundreds of private school and place 2nd in the nation) about the constitution. It clearly states that every child is guaranteed a proper education, and it is our jobs as citizens to provide that. Get your facts straight.

Wait....do you all really know what is taught in kindergarten? It is not just learning to recognize your name, colors or nap time..they are learning actual math, reading, science...come on....
also, private schools do NOT need to higher credentialed teachers, so what value are you getting from paying high prices and having your kids taught by teachers with less than 4 years of college.
Teachers do not teach to make money....they teach because they care about your kids....

I see a bubble floating in air and arriving here, carrying the good witch of the north, Kathleen Ruegsegger. She is directing you all to wear the red shoes.... which frees you from the threats of the wicked witches of the schools, the teacher's union! And the rest of us... we aren't witches at ALL!

I guess they don't teach the state constitution in private school.

Privatize -- please google "california constitution" education

you'll find article 9, section 5:

"The Legislature shall provide for a system of common
schools by which a free school shall be kept up and supported in each
district at least six months in every year, after the first year in
which a school has been established."

Frank,

Seriously? You typed this?

"Our children will suffer only because the employees say they will punish the children if you don't support their salaries and benefits at the current level..."

Defeating G will put the ball back into PUSD's court to come up with some real solutions. Pay cuts across the board would be a good start. If G passes, PUSD will likely come back and asks for more in a couple of years, just like they do in Piedmont. It's time to go on a diet PUSD!

Yo Dale,

The "Tea Bag Party Crew" respect the constitution. What about you? There is hope for America.

Dear Ms. Stacey,
I'm well informed about the data you've sited over these many months. I don't question your many facts; I question how you use them to inform yourself, the meaning you make out of them. Seems you're missing the implications - again, it's the synthesis and wisdom piece that is absent.
Sorry to be blunt, but I don't appreciate your simple manipulations of people who feel that you're somehow "in the know" because you have data at your fingertips.
Data does not make wisdom.

Guess your retort will move back to the "moral" side? :)


"Posted by Stacey: T,You are welcome to pour yourself over the posts I've written on this topic since January. No need for me to be redundant now that the election has come and gone. Use Google to search for them."

Yo civics,

I'm talking about the real constitution.

Update #3 60.34% 39.66%, 4230 Alameda Co votes case (includes Piedmont) - this will be painfully close.

sited ---> cited!
(tired = going to bed now)

Dale,

What do the Tea Baggers have to do with this. Don't be an idiot!

58% yes 42% no as of now

T,

That's an interesting post. It describes a process by which ANYONE can arrive at their decisions. I don't see how any of that is unique to me, although you seem to imply that it is.

What else is interesting is your attempt to make me the subject of discussion rather than the election.

60.3% Y
39.6% N

Measure G - Pleasanton USD
Completed Precincts: 34 of 42
YES 7,924 60.34%
NO 5,209 39.66%

Piedmont sure showed up Pleasanton tonight. As a city, we should be embarrassed by our lack of support for each other and our community.

And Pleasanton---if you voted NO on G, I believe that it means you don't care about kids and seem to be more worried about pointing a finger. I have some bad news for you, pretty soon (if it does not pass) you will be watching your property values go down!!!Mark my words...

Ah, I see. Some of the G-supporters have already started blaming the opposition for anything and everything that will happen for years to come....and the election results aren't even in yet. By their definition anyone who opposed G hates children, hates teachers, is cheap, wants to see property values fall further, must not have kids, and has never helped at a school. These antics have most likely hurt your cause rather than help. I'm sure I'm not the only person opposed to G who has, and will continue to contribute many hours of volunteer time to the schools. So does my wife. I voted no because I don't believe the district has taken enough action to cut their budget and has grown fat and lazy after years of generous funding. I made it clear to board members during the planning stages that I could not support a parcel tax until serious cost cutting was done...don't come asking for a handout until the hard work has been done.

I just hope the no-on-g'ers realize our housing prices are closely tied
to our excellent schools. In the next few years the housing prices will
decrease more than $230/yr.

"Where in the constitution does it say that I have to pay to educate your children."

Privatize - I hate addressing a posting troll, but i agreee the consitution does not say that anywhere, but the state of California said so in 1874. We all live with these facts that our parents parents decided on. You are free to attempt change, but I don't thing trolling on local newspaper websites is going to get you very far. You are also free to move to a different state or different country if the laws of this land are so offensive (as did our forefathes of this country many years ago)

Privatize education becuase public funding doesn't work! Make health care public because private health care doesn't work! Its true, the grass is always greener.

"It looks like a lot of people are either posting under new names or coming into the debate WAY too late..."

Sorry, I did not get the memo on when I was allowed to start or stop posting. I will stop now.

Throwing more money at problems does not make them go away. We need long term solutions instead of a quick patch. My children are not going to get dumber just because Measure G does not pass. If G fails, I will have an extra $233 to educate my children.

"Our children will suffer only because the employees say they will punish the children if you don't support their salaries and benefits at the current level...."

Who said this and when??? I will have them fired by morning.

Quit with the "volunteer in schools" garbage. Look, the system is broken. Violence, classes so disorderly that no one can learn even if they want to. Public schools are not the answer. Get rid of them.

And no, I don't particularly care for so called "children". It is a FREE COUNTRY! I'm fed up. Enough is enough. I'm taxed enough already, and yes there will be many more tea parties and many more victories like this.

Privatize = Cholo

What a loser!

Hey, Me Too - I'm on your side! I'm referring to the people who are posting negative comments here under names I've not seen before.

"Ah, I see. Some of the G-supporters have already started blaming the opposition for anything and everything that will happen for years to come"

But that's the role of a large group in our society. They had to change the term "Global Warming" to "Cliamte Change" because if temperatures went down they were screwed. Now, no matter what happens they were right.

based upon the two reported results by the county, a linear projection to 100 percent of the precincts predicts about 62 percent for measure G, which would be far short of passage.

in the remaining 12 precincts that need to report they have to make up a substantial difference if it is to pass.

No teacher has ever said that. More lies!!!!!!! If someone had said that they would have been taken to task and parents would have made sure this goes to the Board. This is absolutely ridiculous to say teachers said they would retaliate. STOP THE DAMN LIES!!!!

The fact is that if it fails the PUSD will be forced to make cuts before coming back to the taxpayers for a bailout. This time around the teachers demanded their S & C and it backfired. Next time there might be meaningful cuts which would motivate me to consider an additional tax.
In this economy it is nothing less than arrogant for the teachers and district employees to refuse to take cuts.

"If G fails, I will have an extra $233 to educate my children."

Great, three more nights at Chuck E. Cheese but hey, counting tickets is a math lesson!!!!!!!

TONY Y; now you've done it. You've exposed yourself as a hater of the environment. What's next next, puppy dogs? ;^)

KGM - sorry, there appear to be quite a few people posting who have issues

I'm thinking kitten juggling

addendum to previous post . . . do not try to make the case that the teachers offered to reduce their work days by two and not be paid for those. That amounts to two days of additional vacation, without pay. A pay cut would be WORKING for two days without pay. There is a big difference.

Hey no more teacher raises,

If we're lucky there won't be another time.

If you yes on G people love taxes so much MOVE!

move on: "No teacher has ever said that. More lies!!!!!!!"

a poster on another topic claimed to be a teacher and made that assertion. No way of telling if they really are a teacher, and hopefully they aren't, but it's a dispicable comment and they should be fired if they did such a thing.

No more teacher raises,

That is simply idiotic. For one you're simply wrong. Second, involuntary "no pay days" are a very common phenomenon in private industry, especially lately.

The teachers proposed two days docked from their pay. I do not expect them to work (but you know, many will anyway).

First, not even 5 acres on the Bernal property to build housing for our seniors. Now, nothing for our children either. Scrooge would like to live here. For me, I think it is time to move away from this place.

PUSD spent $300,000 on a special election

SPS raised $60,000 for the campaign, not to mention all the volunteer hours

If all those money and time were used on the schools, the positive impacts to our children would be quite substantial. But instead...

No more teacher raises,
Yes, there are lots and lots of people in the private sector offering to work days without pay given the current conditions.

I am ill over your comments regarding teachers. They are ridiculous. Enough.

Downtown resident: Try Oakland. I hear they offer a lot of government freebies. Adios!

"If you yes on G people love taxes so much MOVE!"

But there is no other place in the US that is taxed as much as California! (especially Alameda County (the extra slaes tax you know) So what you are saying is those that voted NO of G should MOVE and go to state that does not have as many taxes (Texas and Florida do no have state income tax - perhaps Oregon too)

Chew on this,
Don't worry - all those people who worked on and donated to the campaign for measure G will continue to volunteer in our schools, whether it passes or not - because the schools, and our kids, are their passion and priority.

@ KGM: And you are...? representative of all the donors to the campaign???

The unofficial results are in

Measure G has not been passed

61.71% Yes - 9,651
38.29% No - 5,988

If the measure does not pass, the reality is that the community (that is you, me, and the children of Pleasanton) will pay the price in several ways. First, children will struggle to achieve the success that they have had in the past due to larger class size and less individualized instruction. The impact may not be seen initially, but over time it will change the way our students score and perform. Second, fewer people will want to move here as the district declines in reputation and ability to perform. Third, families will leave to find
quality schools in other areas. Finally, new individuals concerned about themselves and advancing their own situation will move into this community and join the "no" voters who already live here. The personality of this community will shift in it's purpose, goals, and intent.

Only 38% vote no - measure fails. Stevie B and Kay A had higher percentages when they lost their races for mayor. Is it true that Kathleen R. actually left the board to be employed as the superintendent secretary - all three make strange crew for this town to support - sad.

Chew,
That's just dumb.
My point is that the people who contributed to this campaign in time and money are dedicated to our schools. Strange I had to explain that twice to you.

"Don't worry - all those people who worked on and donated to the campaign for measure G will continue to volunteer in our schools, whether it passes or not - because the schools, and our kids, are their passion and priority."

Don't forget the money-grubbing low life teachers - they will still be there for the kids.

You make me sick with your vile and disgusting remarks. You should be banned from this site. grow up and pull your head out

OK- Let's stop complaining. Let's suck it up and make it work. School Board Members, Mayor, and City Council it's time to do what you were elected to do and that is do what is right for the people of this city and not the unions or any other special interest group. If you don't do this, then next election we'll vote you out!!!!

Community First: "The personality of this community will shift in it's purpose, goals, and intent."

But what if your dramatic prediction doesn't come true?

ladies and gentlemen,

the two results from the county show that 80 percent of the precincts are counted (34 of 42), and only 13,100 voters have voted. Of these, 60 percent voted yes for measure G. That means only about 3300 votes are remaining to be counted in the remaining precincts. AT LEAST 3100 VOTES MUST VOTE YES FOR MEASURE G TO WIN. Unless something is wrong with the numbers that I am interpreting (like the precincts completed), then the game is over. Measure G loses becauses nearly all of the remaining votes have to be YES.

(I'm a product of 1950s grade school education, so either I'm really right or we old folks are defective.)

You can thank Prop 13 for the 2/3 majority thing... What a bd idea. I bet its repealed sometime soon...

[Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language] Bunch of saps. Go be angry over your 4 dollar cup of coffee tomorrow morning as you ignore you kids who are running all over the store or into the street.

My side won. But it seems we all lost...

Horrible things took place during this campaign that will take a long time to recover from...if we let it.

The Yes on G'ers were more "vocal" with their yard signs, slicks in the mail, phone bank, rallies, etc. They ran a solid campaign. In the end it wasn't enough. It truly wasn't them. It was the perception of the administration that did this, as well as the state of the economy in general.

The No on G'ers were a more divided group: Some couldn't afford another expense, let alone a "levy" for four years on thier property. Some couldn't stomach another tax for any reason. Some wanted change before they paid.

A large portion of the Noes and all of the Yays have one thing in common: We want the best for this community's schools.

Let's start there, let's move forward and let's make something happen so this never happens again.

I think Me Too was just being sarcastic.

Nobody won tonight. A very tight election ended with Pleasanton held hostage by barely 1/3 of the voters. I'm not trying to cause a discussion on the issue of 2/3 majority requirements - that belongs somewhere else. This just plain sucks for our kids.

I've tried to sit back and read and not comment, but I've read the recent message boards and I am sickened by the way people conduct theselves. There are horrible arguements on both sides, yet there are a few gems here and there on both sides. We would be a much better society if we could actually debate things and have intellectual conversation instead of random comments across an anonymous board. Its seems recently that friends couldn't have different opinions, if you had different opinions you have to keep them to yourself or not be friends. There are many valid pions on both sides of this debate, yet we sit and piont fingers even after the elction is over. What does that say about each of us?

Minority rule, majority no rights.

Some of you who claim to know so much really don't have your facts straight. The teachers did vote to take a pay cut, provided Measure G passed. It was viewed that everyone should contribute, not just teachers and not just property owners.

So sad that the teacher's union had to do this. You didn't see it in San Ramon or Piedmont because parents work with the school district, not against it.

For me, I demand that government, including the school system, give us, the taxpayer, quality services at cheaper prices than which they have become accustomed to. It's that simple. They serve us, we don't serve them.

"I think Me Too was just being sarcastic."

KGM - of course - how could somebody think otherwise!!! (Thanks)

O Brother,
I'll be glad if the quality core of this community can overcome this event.
The character of the community is based upon gradual decisions.

Big Poppa-
You've got a whole lot of things going on there, don't you? Why don't you do us all a favor and remove yourself from this discussion board. There is no room for your disgusting negativity here.

Thats true... Prop 13 deals with propery taxes but it also requires fiscal measures to pass with 2/3 majority. Maybe it does need to go...

I guess the good people of Stepford couldnt afford an additional $200...

"For me, I demand that government, including the school system, give us, the taxpayer, quality services at cheaper prices than which they have become accustomed to."

Frank - Exaclty! You are going to end up getting exactly what you paid for - less services and less quality, because you paid less. Its not a yes or no on measure G, its simply a fact of economics. People go to Wal-Mart not because they offer great stuff at reasonable prices - its because they offer useful CRAP AT CHEAP PRICES. So if you want carp, you pay less. If you want quality, you pay more. There is a reason the Mercedes is in business after 100+ years even though their cars are much more expensive then the average.

No Joe, it isn't true that I left the board to work for the superintendent. I left to move with my husband and children to Texas for 3 1/2 years. Chose to come back to Pleasanton on our return. Oldest of 11, love kids, have three, have one grandchild in these schools, 16 nieces and nephews, one grandniece, family members who are in education as teachers or administrators.

Willing to pay a parcel tax, even bigger if needed, if current administration gets the budget in line first, and with specific language (X counselors, X resource specialists, etc.). Also very much in favor of newer thinking if we can get that far. Try this: Web Link There are other great examples out there, magnet schools, KIPP schools.

Janice-

I understand your point. Until I had my children I was actually a kindergarten teacher, and in my 8 years of teaching I watched the state standards go up every year. I know that with our support my daughter will be successful, but you must understand that kindergarten isn't what it used to be...unfortunately!

I worked at phone banks and handed out flyers in support of Measure G, and will work at my daughter's school to help in any way I can. I just hope that the district and community can come together to help make our schools the best they can be despite this setback.

Frank.
Quality services at cheaper prices.....sounds like an ideal
Do you mean McDonalds, WalMart, Motel 6....does this really work?

Apparently it times for bed after I read my last post FULL of typs and such. Anyway, the election is over, keasure G did not pass. So begins a new era in Pleasanton - let hope there is good leadership in place.

Thank all of you who actually stuck your neck out months ago to get out the information to the voters about what's really going on in this school district. Some of you have been beaten mercilessly because you went up against the establishment as structured by the unions and the hired management from their ranks who end up being their lackeys. Thanks to Prop 13 for raising the hurdle to 66.7 percent because the usual threat tactics suck in the at least 50 percent or greater of the electorate. Prop 13 simply prevents the usual gaming of democracy that special interests have come to enjoy.

Frank,

Reread your post slowly. I guess Prop 13 is useful when the outcome of the democratic process doesn't suit your worldview.

Good point Roger. Unfortunately we have become a society of haters. My prediction, I bet that some people who wanted G to pass (I am one of those but I can live with the outcome because I'd rather solve a problem rather than waste my energy complaining about the outcome) will now vilify the people who we vocal about opposing G. They will drag them through the mud instead of respecting the process of this great country and each individuals right to have an opinion, even if it differs from our own. If you don't like the process then fight to change it, but be careful what you ask for. I for one will use this experience and all these comments made tonight to teach my kids. I'm sorry to say that not all of the comments made tonight make me feel proud of our society.

For those of you who say voucher programs don't work, do a little research on the D.C. voucher program which has been a huge success in every way except that it makes it even more apparent how pitiful the public education system is in D.C. The voucher program saves money, changes lives, and increases scores. But it makes the outrageously expensive and ineffective public school system look really bad. Can't have that!

Here's an article about it. Be sure to read to the end.
Web Link

61.71% Yes - 9,651

If each of these folks donates $500 to the district next year we will have 4,825,500

That should help a bit?

I think it's time we look at Livermore's very successful "Dollar a Day" campaign.

With 14,000 + kids enrolled we would be able to raise lots of money to get the district through the tough times.

Yes, the no on G folks would benefit from it too and no they would never thank us but, we know how they really feel now anyway.

We can only hope they eventually leave because the "majority" of us feel education is important.

Frank, you got that right. At least half of any group can be swayed by the doom and gloom rhetoric of the loudest speakers. In this case the teachers and their union. I would have been more than willing to consider a parcel tax if the teachers and administrators had been willing to give up their raises. The arrogance displayed by the teachers and administrators made my NO vote easy.

I think all the people who voted yes on measure G should donate $233 directly to their school. I hope that class size reduction was used as a scare tactic and isn't going to happen. I cannot imagine the type of education a child would receive in a class of 32 kids. I am more then willing to pay money to help with any child's education. It is obvious that the majority of Pleasanton feels the same.

hmmmmm, the smell of rain makes me want to go to sleep.

No Community First, how about making comparisons to actual comparable private sector jobs, rather than your ridiculous Wal Mart, etc. That's the problem with you folks, you don't think rationally and make rational comparisons. People with jobs in the private sector that contribute substantially to the country and its economy don't pull down nearly the benefits that these government folks do. Four out of five workers don't work for the government. Actually, this number should change toward reduced number of government workers, and the services they render should increase!

This thread reminds me of all the "division" during the presidential election. Great friends came to actual blows. If this thread represents the mentality of the PARENTS of the children that my child is growing up with, I am SHOCKED!

REALLY! Come on now! The tone and comments give me the impression that Pleasanton parents and or residents are mean spririted and hostile in general.

Sad-Sad-Sad! Are these the type of communication skils we want our children using? Hmmm?

"But it makes the outrageously expensive and ineffective public school system look really bad. Can't have that!"
We "pay" less than 10k per pupil. Not sure I would call that outrageous for what we get in Pleasanton.
The local private schools are upwards of 20k per year.
Please explain.

Resident said:
Stacey: You have no clue. The PUSD is one of the best run districts in the state if not in the country. What caused the shortfalls is the economy of our state and our nation. Please don't blame the district unless you present specific evidence to back up your claim. I'm sick and tired of those who sit back and take pot shots at all the leaders of our community. My guess is you weren't anywhere around assisting with helping our school district and our students. You are one of many, unfortunately, who do nothing but throw out blame. Why don't you run for school board and show us all you can do. It's time for all those who have nothing better to do to step up and put in the numerous hours that the leaders of our community do, including our school board members. It's easy to bitch, but I'd rather see how you would change things.

@Resident:
Just as you have chosen to be anonymous, so has "Stacey." She may already be volunteering in the schools and emailing board members. She could be your next door neighbor, maybe even your employer. You don't know. You seem to have targeted her to vent your anger.

But at the same time, you haven't identified yourself, or offered any suggestions about how to address the budget problems, and what have you done for the schools?

Seems as if you do a lot of b***hing, but unlike "Stacey," you lack the intelligence, courtesy and humor she has shown in her posts.

What a sour and very small person you are.

Real Solution: I'd be the first to give the dollar a day under the same circumstances of knowing exactly what it will buy--counselors, resource specialists . . . set the priorities and let me know.

Incoming Kindergarten Mom,

I used to work in K-5 also! :) I think that we understand the value of supporting the classroom teacher so they can do thier job effectively...however, that will look a lot different now.

I plan to volunteer regardless and I also plan to make purchases for the classroom. I am hoping they get the classroom assignments worked out so that those of us that want to volunteer and help get things organized can possibly start this summer.

As a previous K teacher, you are right about the curriculum standards that keep increasing and it will be up to the families to help the kids more and more because the curriculum standards aren't going away.

I honestly can believe that we will not lose CSR this coming fall. We will, however, in 10-11 if the district doesn't do what the community asks and if a parcel tax or other revenue source (CA funding recovers) is passed.

Our bunnies will be okay! As mothers/educators, we'll make sure of it!!

Good luck!

Tonight is the night Pleasanton becomes just another suburb with small minded people in a (soon to be) mediocre school district. I wish I would have known this before moving here. I can assure you less will feel compelled to do so.

Do all you people who say that none of Measure G would have gone to teacher raises realize how dumb you sound? Some of you even call others ignorant for thinking that (runnergirl). The point is that if teachers gave up their step and column increases, the savings could be used for the very same things that Measure G funds would have been used for. It's really not that hard to understand.

And whoever said teachers pay "up to 3,000 a month for medical alone" must be smoking something. If the district's group plan is anywhere near that high, they have far bigger problems than any of us thought.

Yes Joe, you were correct, Kathleen just posts half the truth.

She did work as our former superintendent's administrative assistant in Palo Alto Unified. She is currently employed in that role under a new superintendent. She posted this information at one point, but when questioned about motivation she would have for presenting a distorted image of our current administration, she now writes "No Joe, it isn't true " in the post above.

Half truths were too much a part of these postings. I can see why people are frustrated.

Time to move on to a dollar a day program like Livermore schools do!

WTF, read the article. It addresses your questions.

Frank,
Can you list some example of private sector jobs that you have found effective. Be sure to include where their contributions have gone....a personal savings account perhaps?

I just located $8,994,732.00 for PUSD!!!!

There were 9,651 Yes votes for Measure G

9,651 times $233 times 4 years = almost 9 MM dollars for PUSD.

Please send your check in IMMEDIATELY so the teachers can be spared and given a raise next year!

NO 1/3 "minority" is holding you back!!

I can't wait to hear the amount of money PUSD reports receiving.

THIS IS SO ENCOURAGING!!

I will be the first to cut a check every year for four years for $500 if all the employees of this city are willing to take a reasonable pay cut. I won't hold my breath. This would certainly show good faith, but then again we are talking about a union.

To 2/100, I don't generally support direct democracy as a method of running government, witness the current debacle we call California - it leads to dysfunction. I like what the founding fathers did in creating a representative democracy. But direct democracy once in a while corrects injustice. That once in a while was Prop 13 in the 1970s. I almost unequivocably vote NO on every and any proposition. You should too!

But Dave,

I read your earlier posts...you were Yes on G.

Why the stipulation now?? Measure G didn't have a paycut stip.

I voted No on G because I wanted exactly what you wrote in your last post. Why am I so demonized? It was only an hour ago??

Dave, not gonna happen. You asked for "good faith" and that is the thing you will not see from the teachers in this district. Entitlement yes, good faith cuts that are appropriate in this economy, never.

Well Frankie, direct democracy vs. elected representation wasn't the point of your post or my response.

Let me get you back on track: the irony of your complaint that a special election was somehow "gaming" the system to favor a result you didn't like was simply too much for me to resist.

When the smoke clears, under 40% thwarted a collective decision by over 60% of Pleasantonians. It wasn't a civil rights issue...this was over how to spend $233/year. It's Prop 13, it's in the CA constitution, and it's fine....call it your compensation for all the unfairness of a special election.

>Why am I so demonized? It was only an hour ago??

Because you gloated with a snarky post, because you're irritating, and because you're part of the problem.

get some sleep everyone, we have some big problems and budget issues to tackle and continuing to fight about G is a waste of time. I look forward to Kathleen, Stacy, Frank's and others constructive solutions at the board meeting next week.

2/100

Why am I "snarky"?

I'm irritating and a problem? Why the "snip" as you previously have called others out on.

Didn't I state facts?

What is the problem?

I'm being serious.

I'm being harrassed by any thoughtful post I write and now you call me a problem?

Exactly what Board meeting is on your schedule? I already have June 22 on my calendar, Friend.

Wed, Friday and next Tuesday

Our one of big competitive school district is San Ramon Valley school district. By this year, their budget was lower than us. Now, they passed parcel tax and we failed. What will it happen? I will move there for my kid's education. Now it is time to do that because San Ramon is cheaper house price and better education in future. No more educational reputation for Pleasanton. We saved $233 per year by sacrificing our community future. What will we do with $233 this year?

"T" wrote this comment (about Stacey)

You sound informed though your constant stream of facts don't coalesce to produce anything of worth. You spend a lot of time on your hamster wheel - sorry people were mesmerized by the dizzying spin.


What is the problem with people like you and Resident? You both sound like people who have grudges against people like Stacey who were able to put forth facts - facts that could be verified - and who spoke intelligently on this website.

Did you donate a lot of money to SPS and are now angry that throwing money into a campaign didn't get you what you wanted? Did you go around bragging about how the election was going to go and mouth off nasty comments about those who opposed G, so now you're all about sour grapes.

Other people have tried to nicely suggest that people like you and others should behave in a civil manner. But civility does not work with people like you.

Time to pull yourself out of the primordial ooze you're living in and act like a human being.

As for Kelly - sounds like you're the one with an axe to grind. You should consider signing up for the Biggest Loser - it's a title you would wear well.

I know that it is all over, but to those who keep on saying that they grew up ok in the 50's or 60's with having 42 kids in their class...c'mon.

1) CA standards were so much LOWER then. This is 2009! 2nd grade students nowadays are spelling fifth grade words and solving fifth grade math problems of the past!
2) Population then were more homogenous so it was easier to teach without differentiating for various skills and language barriers that the global Pleasanton has now.
3)Students as early as 1st Grade are being prepared so that they are better equipped to cope with a fast-changing digital world.

Teachers now have triple the load of things to teach, armed with effective strategies, research and standards to make Pleasanton children world-class students with 900+ APIs in a safe, loving and nurturing environment! And this has all been possible because of CSRs, top-notch reading specialists, counselors, cream of the crop teachers, etc. It has been a well-oiled system that has produced excellent results!

Now this will all change.

I have no doubt that these teachers, the noble people that they are (or they wouldn't be in this profession), will continue to do their very best to educate their beloved students in the aftermath of a failed Measure G.

BUT they are not supermen and superwomen. They are human, too. Triple the standards they have to teach, not enough essential resources and services, low morale for losing their colleagues who got laid off, being spread too thin, bigger class sizes and the disillusionment of what this so-called Community of Character has become will eventually take its toll.

And who will suffer the most? The children of Pleasanton.

But you already know that.

The "progressives" want to shove something down the conservatives throat and we don't like it and use the existing laws. We're attacked for it and when it doesn't go your way and you have a way to still meet your goal (donate cash directly to the district) suddenly it is time to back off and change the laws that have worked for a very long time.

%$&! you.

Kelly, Read carefully. I served on the school board from 1990-1993. I then moved to Houston for 3 1/2 years. I then moved back to Pleasanton and was hired as the admin by Dr. James. He retired. Dr. Callan was hired. She stayed about 3 1/2 years. I went to Palo Alto about one year after she left. She is now retired. There is a new superintendent (two years). The half truths seem to be all yours.

The PW had to apologize for getting this wrong, but don't believe me; call Jeb Bing.

Kathleen,

Those of us that aren't covered with anger can read and see just fine - you've been nothing short of a beacon of truth and goodness throughout this campaign.

Your family is lucky to have you - especially that grandbaby in town. They will get a great education if you have anything to do with it!

I do hope you will lead, regardless of the snippy taunts at your character. You are a voice I would like to stand with.

Keep fighting the good fight!

"Pleasanton becomes just another suburb with small minded people in a (soon to be) mediocre school district."

Already has! news FLASH... My kids say that Extacy, Marijuana, speed and a variety of perscription DRUGS can be purchaced at their MIDDLE school! PPD knows and keeps this hush hush!

Perhaps you NO voters can give your kiddies even more money to SPEND on DRUGS now?

Ahh... Too many critics to deal with in one night. Too many side issues created by the critics for every word that I write.

Suffice it to say, you LOST, we WON, after many months of getting the facts stated correctly and out for view. Despite, Jeb Bing's attempt to censor all discussion....

GO to bed, Frank.

May you sleep well tonight. And when you wake up tomorrow, may you realize the damage that has befallen Pleasanton's children.

You wrote:
"Perhaps you NO voters can give your kiddies even more money to SPEND on DRUGS now?"

Clearly you Yes voters are a majority of 61 percent and obviously will throw money at your kids to spend as you say they do in your post. You are the ENABLERS.

All NO votes from my household. And we have already donated to the school and program of our choice this year---about $600 not including supplies and field trips and gifts for the teacher.
So I also want to challenge all the YES folks to step up to the challenge to donate cash to their schools but don't stop at the $233 because after all, that is only 64 cents per day. $1+ a day should be the goal so let's make it a nice round $500 for the year. More will always be acceptable.

>Suffice it to say, you LOST, we WON

And that, Frankie, was your true objective. Appreciate you owning up to it.

This is a sad day for Pleasanton children, parents, and community. Although many may be "celebrating" there is much that will suffer. Many might not see it now, but will pay the price in the future. Come August 25th, PUSD will be a new place.....sorry children for letting you down, maybe the adults will learn what is best for our comminty and get it right next time.

I donated $1000 to each of my 4 children's classrooms this year but I'm not sure what exactly those teachers are doing with those donations. A couple of them have been asking for printing paper, baby wipes, and pencils all year long. How are those donations used anyway?

Come August 25th, we will see that it's business as usual. People like YOU, Marie, will be thanking those who voted NO and forced PUSD to operate more efficiently. You're welcome!

Poor kids indeed, because it will be like someone died at school tomorrow....the teachers, who have all but checked out already, will be dreadful. This year is over and so is the teaching in my opinion.

And now the real negotiation begins. Thank you Pleasanton for getting it right.

What's missed in all this is how did the funding for Pleasanton schools do when the good times were rolling? Never hear about that.

For instance, state spending dwarfed population growth + inflation by an obscene amount, because the revenues were flowing in. If the Governor, Legislature, and yes, the voters who approved all those special spending propositions (bond funded) over the years would have had discipline to keep the spending more inline with population growth and inflation, we'd be looking at a balanced budget right now, maybe even a surplus, and none of this would be happening.

So, along these lines, how did Pleasanton school spending do this decade? Especially compared to population growth? I've lived here almost all of this decade, think the population has grown 10-15% at most since then, so how has school spending done compared to that?

If, like other spending, it dwarfed it, then all the doom and gloom was just scare tactics to get another tax voted in.

Thanks to all the Pleasantonianites who voted "NO" on Measure G! Thanks to you, within a few years I'll be able to afford a house in Pleasanton!

Pleasanton public schools spend $5,258 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058.

According to the latest U.S. Census information, Pleasanton is the wealthiest midsize city in the nation. In 2005, the median household income in Pleasanton was $101,022, the highest income for any city with a population between 65,000 and 249,999 people. Similarly, for 2007, the median household income rose to $113,345, also the highest in the category.

The word "wealthiest" refers to dollars, not spirit or wisdom. Money can't buy those things.

The wealthiest midsize city in the nation refused to pay 64 cents a day to keep the quality of its schools. It's as simple and as shameful as that.

How about 61% YES voters pay $330 parcel tax instead and go ahead and support the "step and column' salary increases for our teachers who're already among the highest paid in the nation!

Wake up folks. Look around! Get out of your cocoon you call Pleasanton and see what's going on around the county, state, country and the world. Why is it so hard for the teachers to take a 5% pay-cut which has become a norm in all silicon valley companies trying to stay afloat.

When most corporations run short of cash, they don't simply go out and jack up prices, they CUT COSTS. GET USED TO IT. Raising taxes should not and ought not to be the first recourse. I never once heard any suggestions on how the PUSD could better plan their expenses, only talk of threats of un-fundable programs: counseling, athletics, yada yada. How about wringing out inefficiencies rampant in PUSD first, and having some metrics by which efficacies of various "programs" could be measured and then terminate one's that don't meet a mark? NO! We want our cake and eat it too.

Glad 39% of the voters saw it my way.

-SM

Captain Cooked

You are absolutely right about drugs. They are really prevalent in the schools and no one talks about it. They all think the DARE program works. It isn't and that is lost instructional time.

What's happened here is the well is running dry. The energy in this blog should be directed towards finding more efficient ways to operate the school district.

If I am correct I believe a small group of merchants banded together in the Downtown to better market their stores because the PDA and possibly the Chamber were not meeting their needs. Maybe this type energy should be invested amongst the older students, teachers and parents. Leave out the administrators as are farther away from the core issues and have shown little. And as for the Board, some need to go.

My two cents, now start tearing me down.

I haven't chimed in on the education threads for a while. However, let me say that I am happy that measure G did not pass. One of the biggest problems in California is how the state got drunk on tax revenue from the dotcoms but did not cut spending after they went under - at least until recently. These teachers' salaries should have never been that high in the first place. When revnue goes away, you have to watch spending and if you start having problems, you cut back!

Many companies are doing layoffs, salary cutbacks and making major changes in the way they do business. Pleasanton school districts should be doing the same, not passing the buck onto us.

Advice to the Pleasanton Unions. Take a pay cut like all of us. If you are really about protecting the masses then take enough of a pay cut to protect all of your co-workers. I believe if this had been done Measure G would have passed by 3/4 vote. But then again when have the unions ever thought of anybody else except themselves. The Unions should write a letter to the students apologizing for their greed!!!

Pleasanton: Home of large SUVs and small minds

Sara,

Explain yourself. Where are you from and what's your beef with large SUV's. I looks to me that by your comment that you may be close minded and certainly judgemental.

A big thanks fellow Pleasantonians! This was a farce from the beginning when this "special" election couldn't even be conducted on the same day as the last "special" election thus costing the city an estimated $230,000 just for this boondoggle.

We will be OK, our property values will not diminish, our schools will be fine, the sun will come out tomorrow, etc.

The public sector has got to come to the realization that the government nipple cannot be suckled indefinitely.

The people have spoken & a big "thanks" to the people.

I voted no.

Most of my reasoning stems from the fear tactics employed by the union. All the letters and signs said "save our kids!" as if they were on life support and this tax would have funded the medicine. The signs should have said "save our union dues!", at least it would have been honest.

I never get why people measure the quality of the education based on dollars per child? Shouldn't it be measured by how much and what the kids learn?

Our daughter doesn't go to Pleasanton schools. Too many rediculous things go on: half days, teacher work days, days spent in pajamas watching movies, not being able to take our daughter out of school for something that may very well be MORE educational than that day at school. Most of the neighborhood children go to Donlon, and I know these things go on.

The sad thing is, there are certainly some outstanding teachers here who do amazing things everyday, unfortunately, the union, as they always do, lowers all its members to the lowest common denominator.

This whole situation could be an outstanding lesson to our children. I have no hope that it will be used as a "teachable moment".

I do not believe that the disaster that has fallen the school district is a total result of salaries and benefits. if you want Wal Mart type teachers, police firefighters, parks people, sewer and water people then go somewhere where they have that level of service. For me i am willing to pay a fair wage to have services met. I want a safe community with police and fire arresting the criminals and firefighters saving the life of someone ill or injured. I want good teachers teaching our most valuable resource and I want a good water and sewer and streets. Our parks are pristine yet you do not want to pay for them. These services also bring people to Pleasanton just like the schools perhaps do. All these people negotiated their contracts and instead of blaming them blame yourselves for the services you demand. I know for a fact that these contracts were "give and take".. In otherwards something was exchanged for something they got. No one talks about that.

If administrators, who are supposed to be sharp would do their jobs, they would have acted long ago to get things under control. Instead they negotiate contracts with pay raises and perks for them included.

It is easy to blame the "workers". One person said you would hgave none of this without the Private Sector paying for it. That's true. And you would not have much of a Private Sector if you did not have police and firefighters protecting you and your businesses and teachers educating your kids, and other public employees attending to doing things you neither have the time or inclination to do.

Now, come on you "Community of Characters" and start attacking me and MY opinion!

If Pleasanton schools go downhill, we can thank the Tea Bag Party Crew. You know, the ones that can't bring themselves to pay one more tax, even if the tax helps our schools in difficult times. I guess Republicans would rather put the money toward their third SUV than help our kids. This is selfishness in its truest form.

What car you drive has nothing to do with how you vote. I've never lived in a community that has acted more childish than this one. Maybe we should have left the voting up to the children of this community.

That's funny about SUVs, because every morning I drive my son to school, I pass dozens of SUVs with "vote for G" painted on them. Good thing you got the whole SUV thing figured out. Let me guess. They are all Republicans?

In response to James,
Donlon elementary is a wonderful school and my children have had an extremely positive experience there. My youngest has made great strides in his learning after just one year. Neither has spent the day at school in pajamas watching movies. Half days for teacher work days provide teachers with time to prepare adequately for instruction. As for not taking students out for something that may be "MORE" educational than a day at school, I'm not sure what you're referring to, but I can say the teachers have been fantastic with providing missed classwork or creating independent study programs as needed. We love our school and I see the results of the fantastic efforts of the teaching and admistrative community there every day, in the academic progress my kids are making.

Scott,

What I think your missing is the reality of the situation. Your points about quality of service have little to do with pay rate and more to do with quality of character of the individual. If a worker is going to become lazy after this vote then really we should look to get rid of them because this is not a trait you want in an employee. The bottom line is that when times are tough the unions need to work with those who pay their salaries. Unfortunately, your argument got you nowhere because the measure failed.

One thing I learned recently at a Chamber forum for Measure G is that the school district LOSES approximately $3Million dollars per year on student absenteeism. When parents keep kids out of school to take a day trips to amusement parks, or for family vacations, or to catch up on homework, or whatever reason, the school does not receive funding for that student for the day. Maybe a campaign to educate parents on this issue,and cut down on the absenteeism, would be a financial benefit to the district.

First off I am very disappointed with the community for letting down the schools. California is the 4th largest economy in the world and we are the last in spending per child in the country. Our Gov. is promised last week to make even more cuts to the schools.

Setting a few things correct--

As for teachers salaries. The teachers do make more than most others in the area. But the district does not pay 1 penny for health care, it all falls on the employee. How many full time jobs out there pay 0 for heath care? I don't know the number, but even Wal-Mart offers subsidized health care for their full time employees. The teachers / union did approve a pay cut and no salary increase for 2009 school year.

Ray,

Why is everything about Republicans to people like you. I'm a conservative and I voted yes even though I had serious reservations about the unions and schools not offering anything up front to help. I'm one of those Tea Baggers but I look at each initiative indepedantly and then vote. I love my large SUV, and I can take double the amount of kids than you in your small car, so the way I look at it is that I save 2x the amount of gas as you need to make two trips to my one. Ray, don't be an idiot!

Piedmont gets it. A real community of character.

Pleasanton, not so much. Maybe we should change the name to a community of "it's all about me"

Hybrid owner,

Why should the school get money based on a students addendance. Don't you see it's just another way to not pay money to the schools. Each student should get the same amount regardless of days attended. How can you not see this. I'm worried that people like you lack the common sense to see the obvious.

It is true the measure failed, but don't forget that the majority of people wanted it to pass. The people who voted No on G are thankfully the minority. Now, let's move on and find another way that doesn't involve the selfish minority who voted no.

Money does not teach children to learn. If there are problems with our children learning, maybe the parents should look at the teachers or God forbid, their children. Have you ever went to a store and if the computer is not working, our kids do not know how to make change. What's with that? I believe that is basic math! PS..I do not own a SUV nor do I have the pension teachers are getting.

Bob, welcome to America, where money means character. The only way to help--money. The only way to care--money. Give your money or get out. That should be printed right on our money.

For all you folks claiming gloom and doom that you couldn't confiscate another $233 on top of our already high property taxes, how' this:
If you feel you kids are in jeopardy of not having enough teacher support at school (due to presumably larger class sizes) then use YOUR money wisely and put it towrds hiring a tutor, sending your kid to private school or home schooling. One underlying problem displayed here is the expectation that your local (or any) government can spend your money more wisely than you can.
In the end, it's you that's in control of your kids upbringing and education.

Most unfortunate that Measure G didn't pass. The number one reason I hear from people moving to Pleasanton is our great schools. Seems we have let our schools down in their time of need. Maybe we can make this voluntary. Those that feel compelled can send a check for $233 directly to the School District.

If we can only convince all the Pleasanton Republicans to move to Texas or some other backwards Red State, we might be able to pass a parcel tax for our schools. Until then, their selfishness and ignorance will drag down our schools.

I am sorry to see this measure fall just short of the 2/3 required.




ANY teacher/counselor lost in this district will hurt. There are some tremendous young teachers that have my admiration for all they have done to get themselves educated and prepared to teach.

I sincerely hope and pray that each of them is able to continue in their chosen field...and can remain an educator for years to come.

And, I hope and pray that any teacher or staff person that is laid off at the school level is able to one day, make it back to teach here.

Contrary to what the Yes on G folks want you to believe, the home values in Pleasanton are likely to go up from this point since homeowners here are not burdened by higher property taxes.

Boom and bust has been the history of California for as long as anyone can remember.

Most employers in the Bay Area are dealing with reduced sales and are struggling to stay in business. I work in high tech, and long ago our pay plans were changed to make a larger share of paychecks "variable", based on profitability, to make the business better able to weather the inevitable storms. State and local government must budget and plan for bad times as well as good. Learn to save in the boom years instead of spending it on raises and benefits.

Households in our community are all hunkering down to deal with lost jobs and salary cuts due to the economy. That makes it hard for anyone to stomach (much less vote for) a tax increase at this time.

In my opinion, the teacher's union must partner with the school board to figure out a way to "work with what we have". Pay & benefit cuts (giving back some of the raises that, with 20/20 hindsight, were granted with money we didn't have?) to make it possible to retain more employees would be a starting point. Most of your neighbors have accepted pay cuts, why are should government and school employees be any different?

If I spend money I don't have, it catches up with me. I eventually learn to live differently. Buck up, make plans to live with what we have, and look forward to better times. The next few years are going to be hard for *everyone*, I think, and all will have to accept some change to our standard of living. We're all in this together, right?

Ray, but then who will actually pay the taxes?

Too bad we couldn't come together as a community to pass this common sense measure. The entire community will be impacted - kids with higher class sizes (a 32:1 ratio for K is absurd) and less money for important programs; property owners with values shrinking.

For those who voted no, you can make the argument it is the parents' responsibility to pay for the kids' education. But, in the end, you will also be impacted.

Given the shortfall in revenues coming in from the state, I don't understand how anyone can argue that more money is not needed for the schools. The numbers are simply staggering.

In reading through this blog I am amazed at the misinformation on here about how PUSD budget works. Yes 80% of the budget goes for salaries - but it is the teacher's who teach your student, counselors who help schedule classes, advise for college and help when students struggle, support teachers, aids and various therapists - all these salaries cost money. I've worked on 3 School Site Councels, 3 PTA boards and a PFC board. My best friend is similarly involved in San Ramon schools. Pleasanton's schools up to now have been better ranked, better staffed and have a much better GATE and Special Ed. program than San Ramon. Avid is not available in San Ramon middle schools. Note too, the school district has little sway with the teacher's union - as do the teachers. You want to put pressure on someone....pressure the California State Teacher's Union. For those that try to equate teaching and schools with big business....does your business require you to pay for your own classroom supplies? Most of our elementary and middle school teacher pay for paper etc. If we want world class schools to compete on world class levels - ie: Canadian, Japan, Taiwan, British (all of whom have much higher taxes) we need to pay for them somehow.

I am concerned as to where our excellent schools, which have been ranked in the top 5% of the country are going. I hope everyone who voted "no" for measure G will be a volunteer for their local school next year. We are going to need parents to fill in where the money can't pay.

to "Ray"

Excuse me, but your comments are extremely biased and narrow-minded. Unless you have a well-conducted survey at your fingertips which you can cite from I suggest you keep your big mouth shut. Purchasing an SUV is not an indicator of one's political views. Not all republicans drive SUV's and just because you buy one doesn't mean that you are a republican.

'Have fun with the $233. Have a nice night out on the students of Pleasanton.'

Whoever wrote the sentence above needs to grow up. Its not about the amount its about realizing a band aid is NOT going to fix a downward spiral. The teachers unions need to get off their fat azzes and make concessions like the rest of american is doing. The taxpayers are not ATM machines.

I will continue to vote "no" on these issues because I too believe that the unions should make concessions and take paycuts before they go to the taxpayers.

Does that make me "cheap"? No. Does that make pleasanton "shameful" because we are the wealthiest mid-sized city yet we shot down measure G? No it doesn't. The city is wealthy for a reason. The people here are smart and know (for the most part) what it takes to run a business. When times are tough you cut back.

I feel that personal donations as well as giving my time and expertise are much more valuable then dumping another $233 or whatever into the pot. That way I can control what happens with my money rather than seeing it disappear and go to things that may or may not be appropriate (like Dr. Whoever's car)

Not all of us make an average $100,000.00 a year that live in this town. I agree with Steve, if you want to donate your money to the school system, you send your $233 to the school district and donate your own time to your kids education...but wait, you are out there working for the $100,000.

Ray said "If Pleasanton schools go downhill, we can thank the Tea Bag Party Crew."

Wrong. If Pleasanton schools go downhill, we can thank the teacher's union. They're the ones who require us to lay off teachers based on seniority rather than performance. I would rather have my child in a class with an outstanding teacher and 32 students than in a class with a mediocre teacher and 20 students. Unfortunatly, many of the younger, outstanding teachers are the ones who will be laid off.

My son's favorite teacher, an English teacher who inspired him to sign up for Journalism next year will likely be gone. One of the worst teachers any of my kids has ever had, a middle school math teacher who can barely do math herself, will stay. That just stinks.

'If we can only convince all the Pleasanton Republicans to move to Texas or some other backwards Red State'

...you mean that state with no income tax and no deficit?
LMAO!

Don’t you just love when the Tea Party, tax-revolt, Republicans try to rationalize their selfishness and blame it on “lazy teachers”. I guess they figure we can pay for our schools with magical pixie dust.

Teacher greed sunk this ship. Now the 61% of you who voted yes are obligated to put your money where your vote was -- pay the "it's only 64 cents a day" to the district voluntarily. Better yet, pay more. Many of you said you would pay more than that because the schools would close, the houses would be worth nothing, the kids would suffer unthinkable harm and the rising oceans would swamp Pleasanton -- did I miss anything? -- if the tax failed. So pay the money already.

Hybrid Owner,
Check out the Foothill High School website. Posted on there is a request to parents to not allow their seniors to take off June 1 as the unofficial senior ditch day because absenteeism affects how much money Foothill gets.

For all parents who have kids that are in or will be entering high school soon. FYI when they become seniors, there are 3 senior cut days(not acknowledged by the school, as some kids will tell you it is school related). Tne most popular one is the Monday after senior ball (they go camping sunday to monday). Over a hundred parents call in to the high schools and say there child is sick or taking a personal day. The school does not get paid either way. So, when your child wants you to call the school and lie about where they are, maybe you will think twice knowing the PUSD is not being paid.

"Why is it so hard for the teachers to take a 5% pay-cut which has become a norm in all silicon valley companies trying to stay afloat."

Because teachers didn't take million dollar stock options in the last decade jump around chasing higher salaries, signing bonuses and stock options. Yes, teachers signing bonus is that they get to pay $50 or $100 to have a background check.

"From 1995-2005, average annual Silicon Valley pay (includes salaries, hourly wages, bonuses and stock options) rose about nine percent faster than the national average. Despite beginnings of the dot-com bust downturn in 2000, Silicon Valley pay increased by 9.2 percent, after adjusting for inflation. Nationally, the increase was only 2 percent adjusted."

It appears that 5% pay cut in the silicon valley doesn't really mean very much, its just cutting on years increase in half.

Ironic situation where we can vote to eliminate rights with a simple majority, but need two thirds to support our children. (with 20% of the voters always voting against any initiative, it is a very steep hill)

Ray is a moron,

If Texas is so great, why don't you move there?

Texas ranks first in the percentage of uninsured children, first in toxic and cancerous emissions and second in teenage pregnancies. It lags far behind in high-school graduation rates, consumer credit scores and percentage of the population with health insurance.

Sounds wonderful!

I voted YES on G and I am sad that it failed.

However, even going to vote yesterday, I knew that I did not agree with everything in that parcel tax, like elementary school counselors for example. I voted YES because I did not see another option. I was disappointed at the things the board chose to finance with the parcel tax, like counselors in elementary schools.

I also know that there is a lot of staff that does not interact with the students that should go, yet it was not done.

I wished that measure G had passed, but now I hope that our district administrators can make the right decisions, like cutting the car stipends, rolling back salary raises from last year, getting rid of teacher work days, getting rid of so many days off, getting rid of elementary school counselors, reducing the school year by a week, etc.

Ray needs to stop being so bitter and whiney. You lost suck it up.

I am very disappointed the parcel tax failed.

With that said, I will do whatever is necessary to make my children's education a positive experience. I will continue to guide them in their studies, their decision making, and every day choices.
This is something the parent does, not the teacher. Let's give the teachers every opportunity to teach, not partent. This will help when they are dealing with increased class sizes and less support for reading, library, technology, math, science, etc.

Shame on you all for this useless bickering.
MOVE ON and and make the best of it. Show your kids how productive, responsible and educated, yes educated, you are and be gracious.

A disappointed parent of three.

First off, I voted Yes on G. It lost. I respect the process. Let’s move on!
PUSD Administrators and Trustees: It is now time to roll up your sleeves and get down to the serious business of making decisions on where to cut expenses. Here are a few suggestions as a starting point:
All non-union salaried employees take a 20% pay cut, starting today.
All perks for non-union salaried employees end today.
Ask all unions to negotiate contract modifications in an effort to save all union jobs. If this means pay cuts of 5%, 10% or more, it should be in the union member’s best long-term interest to protect all jobs, not just the jobs of senior union members.
Look for ways to trim extra costs. For example, for athletics, we don’t need full sized charter buses to take athletic teams from Amador Valley to Foothill, or any other EBAL locations – this happens all year, for all sports. The district should contract with a lower cost school bus service.
I look forward to hearing from community members who have suggestions on ways to improve our district while living within our means. We should be doing this at home, we should expect the same with our school district (and all other government operations).
Leaders lead, they don’t stick a finger in the air and try to figure out what people want, they look at the situation at hand, make corrections and develop a strategy that keeps us solvent in the future.
Enough with the gloom and doom talk. This is Pleasanton – we will be even stronger after the dust settles. Time to get to work!!

Ray,

Maybe we could convince all the Democrat residents to move to New York where you could continue to pay high taxes and have all the deficiet spending your little liberal heart desires. In the mean time Pleasanton could once again become fiscally responsible and not have to go begging to the community for more money. The problem Ray with your Socialist utopia is as Margaret Thatcher once said eventually you'll run out of other people's money to spend. We are there. Ray, you exemplify the very close minded attitude that liberalism has become. Why isn't it that both sides could have good ideas and maybe working together to solve our problems in the end is better for all. Your judgemental attitude is sad, but truly indicative of the times.

@ LIZ: Both of my children are in GATE and I do not see a pinch of difference between GATE and regular programs other than a meeting every now and then. The GATE program in this district is nothing more than a name.

to "no more teacher raises" Show me anywhere on the ballot where it states that this money was going to be put towards pay raises for teachers. It is a shame that people don't put more of an emphasis on education as you are the perfect example of what happens when you fail to get a good education! Teacher greed did not sink this ship, it is the mentality of simple minded people like you as to why this measure didn't pass.

Educated (2 blog entries up), you hit nail on the head... The tenure system must be re-examined. As I had mentioned in my previous blogs, the entire system must be re-examined. We should take a page out of the Auto industry and it's demise due to the UAW contract rules and lucrative benefits negotiated into the teacher's benefits.

As for Ray's comment, Republicans don't hate teachers. Your liberal comments are out of place and out of line. Perhaps you should move to Massachusettes with the Kennedys. This is a free country and that's what makes this country great. Freedom of speech.

I support the teachers as much as everyone else does. I personally believe the issue is that the issue must be dealt from the root-cause perspective. We cannot continue to come up with patchwork repair of budget issues. Just like a company, in the good years, it's hire, hire and hire. In the lean years, fire, fire and fire. If the employees (teachers) are guaranteed a job (once they have tenure) but doesn't do their job as the teacher, what do you do with them? On-the-job welfare. I would really like to hear from the 'Yes people' how you would approach this problem. I don't hear that from you. Please don't hide your thoughts on this. This is the gist of the 'No people'. It's not they don't like the teachers or don't care about the students, the problem is BIGGER than that.

I am more than willing to write a check right now for $233 and donate to PUSD. But without a true solution to the basic problem, we are just hoping things will get better and go back to normal business - spend, spend, spend and hire, hire and hire. Let's do it wisely.

Ray, your comments clearly highlight your ignorance. Drinking the mainstream media kool-aid doesn't make you informed, it only shows your lack of awareness of reality and calls out your liberal views.

Republicans of Pleasanton want the best schools for their kids and are willing to pay the high premiums of living here to get them. I, for one, didn't move here and pay what I did, to have sub-par schools for my kids. I am disappointed in our residents today. This will show to be a great mistake for our quality of education in Pleasanton.

"Why should the school get money based on a students addendance. Don't you see it's just another way to not pay money to the schools. Each student should get the same amount regardless of days attended. How can you not see this. I'm worried that people like you lack the common sense to see the obvious."

Because that's how California runs its funding. It makes sense if you look closer, if a kid in class for 1 day at a school and then moves to another school for 179 days, should both schools get the same funding for that student?

Qwerty – Yes that makes you cheap, it is public education, the public should fund it.
Stacey – Yes we blame you. You are at fault! Your endless post of opinions you claimed as facts; now back to your young republican’s meeting
Frank – Your post are just plain wacky.
Kathleen – Let’s face it, you were in this argument purely for your political agenda

Emily,
Your quote "...20,141 ballots were cast, or 41 percent. Of the total ballots, 27.4 percent were cast by mail and 14 percent were cast in person". If 27.4% we cast by mail and 14% were cast in person, how were the other 58.6% of the ballots submitted?

To "Let's move on" :

Well put... we are all in the same boat and let's make Pleasanton a even better place than before and do it during hard times.

We will prevail. Let's make it a win-win situation. The only losers will be those who continue to wine (in either camp...)

RECIPE FOR FAILURE

Ingredients
1 bunch of fatigued voters
1 tax increase
1 poorly written measure
1 tub of low-fact emotional arguments

Directions

Mix up 1 bunch of fatigued voters by holding a statewide special election just a few weeks before the scheduled general election.

In a baking pan, mix 1 tax increase with 1 poorly written measure and the tub of low-fact emotional arguments.

Add the mixed up fatigued voters and half-bake the whole thing until it falls apart. Serve luke warm.

Seriously folks, in the end it was going to cost property owners less than $20 a month. It got the majority vote, but not enough votes to pass because the measure, as written, did not give informed voters any reason to vote for it, AND it was short enough that a lot of us did bother to read it and see how poorly it was written. The school district might as well have people stand out front of the supermarkets and beg for money from people that will toss a donation into the coffer without caring where the money is actually going.

Go back to the drawing board and get a competent group of people to write a new measure with specifics instead of fluffy clouds, educate the electorate using facts instead of emotional arguments, and you'll get people to vote for it and pass it.

Me too,

Just because that is the system doesn't make it right. This system is flawed. Your weak argument about a student moving is simply that, weak! I know this might be hard for you to understand, but try this. What ever money a student gets for the year, you divide it up by the days the student registered at that district and that's the percentage the school gets. It's a fixed amount each year for the student and the districts can better judge what they recieve from the state. I'm worried about you, too. Is this too hard to understand?

To the many that have stated that “Piedmont gets it …”
Of course you always have the option of moving your family there. However to my knowledge there are no apartment complexes and few rentals available, so you will actually have to invest your own money and pay the additional property taxes as well. My guess is that there will not be a run on bobtail trucks at U-Haul anytime soon.

The public sector is just starting to run into the bleeding edge of the economy. They are a couple of years behind the public sector in this respect. We will ALL get through this, but we are probably going to put a new notch or two in our virtual belts. Some of us already have done so.

I would hope that the special PUSD Board meeting tonight would be to accept Sup. Casey's resignation for the poor job performance and extra money he has cost the district.

I would hope they limit the job search to someone with an MBA and not another public administrator. All they are taught is how to spend a budget or lose it next year, not to make sure there is something left over in case there isn't as much to spend next year.

I would also hope that the candidate has some contract negotiating skills so that we are not locked into a union contract that is totally unaffordable as we know that the union will not take a pay cut voluntarilly, and don't try to call a 1% decrease a cut.

Joe,

I think we should all continue to “wine”, but I agree we should all quit “whining”. ;-)

Anyone that brings Republican/Democrat into the Measure G discussion is way off base. It wasn't a question of political party.

It was a poorly written measure, hastily thrown together, badly conceived (a $300K special election for a tax measure?), and marketed almost totally on emotion. Anyone who took the time to read the entire measure could see that it was vague and non-specific with the usage of the funds.

It's more a left-brain/right-brain issue than Republican/Democrat.

TO "ME" - Take a tip from Let's Move on and stop being such a little whiner - you and your alter ego "Kelly," are so ridiculous in your complaints about posters.
Stop wasting everyone's time with your postings. It's obvious that you are the kind of person who has to blame someone else anytime you don't get what you want. You probably blamed your teachers when you didn't get the grade you wanted, your coaches when you didn't get to be on the "A" team and your mother for making you into the sniveling crybaby you are today.
Get some professional help - you need it.

Let’s move on!, thanks for your great post (below). I voted against Measure G and agree with every word you wrote - there is hope for positive change in Pleasanton - let's get past the bickering and act like the rational adults we should be.

//////////////

First off, I voted Yes on G. It lost. I respect the process. Let’s move on!


PUSD Administrators and Trustees: It is now time to roll up your sleeves and get down to the serious business of making decisions on where to cut expenses. Here are a few suggestions as a starting point:


All non-union salaried employees take a 20% pay cut, starting today.


All perks for non-union salaried employees end today.


Ask all unions to negotiate contract modifications in an effort to save all union jobs. If this means pay cuts of 5%, 10% or more, it should be in the union member’s best long-term interest to protect all jobs, not just the jobs of senior union members.


Look for ways to trim extra costs. For example, for athletics, we don’t need full sized charter buses to take athletic teams from Amador Valley to Foothill, or any other EBAL locations – this happens all year, for all sports. The district should contract with a lower cost school bus service.


I look forward to hearing from community members who have suggestions on ways to improve our district while living within our means. We should be doing this at home, we should expect the same with our school district (and all other government operations).


Leaders lead, they don’t stick a finger in the air and try to figure out what people want, they look at the situation at hand, make corrections and develop a strategy that keeps us solvent in the future.


Enough with the gloom and doom talk. This is Pleasanton – we will be even stronger after the dust settles. Time to get to work!!

Welcome to the new Pleasanton. It's the new "what's a village" community? The sky will be falling as all, regardless how they voted, will suffer the angst of larger classrooms (have you studied the actual size of many of these classrooms? They, in safety terms, can't physically handle 35+), teachers will be more stressed..and rightfully so,support for students and parents will be very frustrating due to less administration to serve them, you can more than likely say good-bye to high school athletics, football being the first as it costs so much (unless Boosters does it all now), counselors, health care, etc will be near non-existent. Say goodbye to band and all the other 'luxuries' that we have enjoyed. It's coming, folks, so be prepared. You will see mere skeletal remains of what used to be. There are no choices now. Really! One cannot draw blood from a turnip.
Those that say they give money to their favorite school, great, but it's not bringing back the young and awesome teachers that are now going and it's certainly not going to help the chaos that will now be seen in the classroom. (Go observe a K class with so many EL's in it and that's with 20!).
For those who blame PUSD administration, don't. No one had or has a crystal ball that could see what was coming; contrary to KR. TO THIS DAY... the administration still does not know what monies they are getting as the state doesn't know themselves. As for the feds coming in, that's an uncertainty as well. Given current observation, that money may be taken by the state to cover their needs. Even if PUSD does get the money, it's a one time deal. All of you that argued against PUSD admin on giving MANDATORY BY LAW or contract pay increases, what would you suggest to do with this 'one fall'? Build another high school? (btw, isn't it great that didn't happen?)
The school board have spent countless hours/days trying to get facts so as to make sound decisions for the future. As we all know, the perfect storm has struck California. No one was immune. No crystal ball could tell us what was to come. It's a sure bet that we all experienced unexpecteds that threw us; some small, some very large. A school district is no exception and it certainly has more hands tied than we can imagine.
BTW, PUSD DID lose 3 mil last year due to attendance issues. It appears that many parents don't get it that the state DICTATES, like Obama, how things are run. No excused attendance, no money.
Our family, as conservatives that drive hybrids and enjoyed the Tea Party, we voted 'Yes' on G...because we get it...we care about our village and those that we hold dear to our hearts....our future...the children.
Too many bloggers have had very limited knowledge as to how this all works. Some had underlieing motives. That's sad. Maybe, if we can see silver lining in all of this, the people will get more active in their community; starting with their schools. Be problem solvers, not mean-spirited no name bloggers.

Re: The comments [from a table] about Piedmont.

I moved to Pleasanton from Piedmont 30 years ago. Although it's been that long since I've been on Highland Avenue.. they may have added a Peet's or Starbucks by now... Piedmont has no retail. No meaningful sales tax income. They have no Wal-Marts, car dealerships, movie theatres or spa's. Their income only comes from property tax and vehicle registrations. It's not surprising that the property taxes and/or parcel taxes are higher. All city services are funded by resident taxes. Police, fire, school, recreation and parks.

We've got it pretty good here. We just need better managers.

unclehomerr..

Hey Ray, you say Texas "lags far behind in high-school graduation rates". But according to the Ca. Teacher's Assn website "Adjusting for regional cost differences, Texas spends 12 percent more per pupil than California." I guess that must be more proof that more spending does not equal better education, at least by your definition.

What I don't get is how CA can have some of the highest taxes in the country, but some of the lowest spending on schools. Exactly where is all that money going????

Educated, Ray's numbers are very inaccurate. CA school spending is well north of $10k per student - per year.

Can anyone break down where the 1ok per student goes?

Such a shame that the minority of voters won.
The parcel tax wasn't exactly a huge amount. I'd gladly give that much to help our school district retain smaller class sizes and other benefits our children have. Somehow, schools often seem to be the scapegoat for the frustrations and mean spirited attitude of many of our citezens.

Lathlean,

I hear you point, but when do the tax payers say enough is enough. Maybe now, and maybe we can government one voice at a time and demand accountability from Obama down.

Funny how many people bitch and moan about the 2/3 approval threshold. If you don’t like it, just try to repeal Proposition 13’s 2/3 threshold (remember, it will take 2/3 of the votes to repeal it)!
So, instead of whining, perhaps come to grips with reality and look for solutions for living within our means. Reduce Admin salaries, renegotiate union contacts, cut out perks and trim all the fricken fat – yes, it’s still there.

I'm personally very relieved that measure G didn't meet the 2/3rd approval requirement. I believe there are alot of scare tactics and ad hominem fallacies being used to place guilt at the feet of those who voted against measure G, and although we are definitely going to see some affects of the reduction in funding, I highly doubt that the worst case scenarios will come to pass. The School District will have to do what every one else in this economy is doing; tighten thier belts and do more with less. It's not just our schools who are experience financial difficulties, we're all experiencing them, and taking more money out of our hands isn't helping our families. School is not the only place our children need to have a high quality of life, they need to have secure homes as well, and this taxpayer is tired of paying more and not getting more. Alameda county residents now pay 9.75% in State Sales Tax in addition to our property taxes, and income taxes. If taxing us more was going to solve all of our problems, they'd be solved by now. We're being taxed enough already and I'm saing "no more." I need that money to raise my family, not to give more if it to the City, County, or State to squander.
I will gladly donate money to the school district to help them out if I have the funds available, but I don't want to be forced to pay more taxes than I'm already paying.

While much of the "whining" is throwing around numbers, here are a couple to consider:

41% of eligible voters voted

Of those, 62% voted yes, 38% voted no.

So, only about 25% (41% * 62%) voted in favor of the parcel tax.

That means 3/4 of the voters in Pleasanton did NOT want a parcel tax.

Here's an idea for something that could and probably should be cut in times such as these...why does the district continue to offer free enrichment summer school classes (art/drama, computer/science/math)? I can understand offering summer school for those who need the academic support, but why all the other stuff? I just looked on the district website, and it is even available to students who live outside the district if space is available!

My guess is that most of the funding comes from the state and is already in the budget. If that is so, it is just another example of the lunacy of the people running the state!

The following analogy explains why many of us will not support a parcel tax...

If a homeless person in SF or other large city approaches us and asks for change are we "cruel" or "stingy" because we don't help them? No. I offer instead to take them to a local coffee shop or deli to buy them some food. It is interesting how often they refuse the help. That suggests that they really don't want money for food like they profess. It's more likely they want it for booze.

So if they refuse, I move on and use the money for someone else. That doesn't make me a mean person who is insensitive to the plights of the homeless. Like people who voted "no" on measure G, we want to see the unions make the same concessions that many other companies are making before they come begging for money. Until then, I will use my $233 to support school programs as an individual where I can see EXACTLY where my money goes.

What are we doing??

STOP!

You are feeding a mob-mentality on both sides.

I cannot believe the yes people are characterized as simply stupid and emotional and the no people are characterized as mean spirited and haters of kids and this community.

STOP!!!!

That is not what this community is about. We all love the kids and the schools and the teachers.

Was it about winning a campaign or getting things right at the district?

Stop feeding the mob with more energy.

Write a check if your vote didn't win; write a letter of your suggestions to the Board if your vote did.

GET PRODUCTIVE

Parent of Two, How about this version of your theory:

41% of eligible voters voted

Of those, 62% voted yes, 38% voted no.

So, only about 16% (41% * 38%) voted against the parcel tax.

That means 84% of the voters in Pleasanton DID want a parcel tax.

What are we doing??




STOP!




You are feeding a mob-mentality on both sides.




I cannot believe the yes people are characterized as simply stupid and emotional and the no people are characterized as mean spirited and haters of kids and this community.




STOP!!!!




That is not what this community is about. We all love the kids and the schools and the teachers.




Was it about winning a campaign or getting things right at the district?




Stop feeding the mob with more energy.




Write a check if your vote didn't win; write a letter of your suggestions to the Board if your vote did.




GET PRODUCTIVE

Educated - I wouldn't be suprised if "enrichment" summer school is on the chopping block tonight. I think there will be a number of things that people are not going to like.

Maybe we all need to get together (nays and yeas) and start lobbying the teacher's union (not the school board/district) to take a 10% pay cut. The teacher's I know would be willing if it kept some of their collegues working.

Liz,

A great idea!

Keep it going people; let's turn the negativity into something positive. We are a community of ideas...great ideas~

Thank goodness anyone can be involved in the process and not just those elected.

I'm with you, Liz. How can we "lobby" the union to spare jobs?

There is another solution. The schools are broken and unfix able. Let's spend our time time and energy getting to a system of vouchers. Don't get suckered by the "let's work together to fix our schools" line. This is exactly what the teacher's union wants. Donations and volunteering perpetuate a system that is broken and serves only the union and not the community. Put your energy elsewhere. Face it, no amount of money or anything else is going to fix this. The public schools system is broken in America.

Lets see all those that voted YES, take out your check book and sign checks for $233 x 4 years and make the donation to the PUSD. How many have already done so ?

It seems the parents' campaign was all "remember your house value, & it's for the children". However, I don't think the word got out to every voter about Administrative budget...at all levels, which specific programs..was it just reading for illegals. Many voters would have liked to see DETAILS on everything...that's the only prudent way to evaluate these votes.
It was a small turnout....most of the NO votes stayed home. IF there had actually been more of a campaign of 'factual information' there might have been a bigger turnout...of more NOs.

If you have a suggestion to how to improve things; regardless of how you voted, please see the other thread about ideas. If you prefer to stay here and tear each other down and blame, etc, that's fine too. Perhaps you just need to "work through it" and this does it for you.

Interesting idea Liz, but consider that the 2 day concession offered by the union, was conditional on the passage of the parcel tax. I think the message was clear.
And please, i don't hate the teachers - they are great.
I've seen over a third of the people I work with lose their jobs in an industry that is not hiring. I have no desire to see these good people go the same way.
Regardless,I will use my free time to give my child every advantage I can - and i believe many of you will do the same.

I will happily give the PUSD my $233 for 4 years for my kids to continue the excellent education they have so far gotten in Pleasanton. We bought a house in Pleasanton because it is a beautiful city with great schools. I doubt it will be the same next school year when all of the bright, young teachers are looking for jobs elsewhere.

Dale,

Its not the Tea Bag Party Crew, its the Tea Party attendees. Those that keep referring to them as Tea Bag Parties, smirking as they say it, are left-wing loons that spend to much time watching left-wing-loon comedy shows on left-wing-loon TV networks. Now, why don't you sign off and go tea bag someone at a loon gathering. Peace, dude.

So supporters, get your checkbooks out. I'm ready. I attended school board meetings. I know that all other cuts have been made and teachers have already forgone pay raises several years in a row. I already give at least double the amount of the parcel tax to my kids schools every year. I am willing to give more to support the schools even if others choose not to. Someone just tell us who to write the checks to and where to send it!

This election could have been handily won by the "Yes" side, had the Teachers Union stepped up to the bar and offered something/anything.

With ads that were specific about adiminstrative salaries and totaly silent about teachers step and column raises, with lots of folks in this community holding doctorate and masters degrees it didn't take long to figure out where the money was going. I'll give you a hint, it wasn't schools programs or kids.

As I've watched friends and clients loose their jobs, their savings and now their homes the thundering silence from the Teachers Union spoke out loud and clear.

The 'entitled' Teachers Union will now have to explain their actions to the teachers loosing their jobs. Good job union!!!

Shall we replay the election & hold it on the same day as last
month's election ???

Today's threats about house prices dropping $230K, guaranteed !!
Newsflash !!! They've already dropped 230K and further drops will
be from the 'short sales' next door..,quaranteed !!! Get a clue!

My wife and I will continue to donate actual supplies to Amador Valley and Harvest Park, the schools our children attend. By purchasing needed supplies, we know the money won’t be used for admin. cell phones and excessive salaries, and car allowances, charters buses to-and-from local games for our athletes, step and column pay increases for teachers, etc. We promise to pay $233 this year and $233 the following three years, adjusted upward for inflation. I encourage others to consider this direct-to-need investment in our schools, bypassing the middle players – state, county and local bureaucracies.

The arguments about just how many people supported the tax would carry some weight if the proposed tax had been fair. It was not. It was yet another attempt by people who want bigger government to impose taxes on people other than themselves. The proposal offered special treatment to senior citizens and others to make it easy for them to impose taxes on other people without paying anything. The proponents appealed to 18-year-olds who don't own property and would not have to pay anything. The election was scheduled in June, at a huge additional cost, in an attempt to sneak the tax past the voters rather than have a larger turnout at the statewide election in May.

The proponents said, essentially, that we all should pay more so the district can continue to pay for the superintendent's car and the administrators' cell phones. It said everyone else in the economy can get pay cuts and layoffs, but the teachers union still has to have its step-and-column raises. The administrators and teachers need to join those of us in the private sector and realize that they aren't always entitled to a larger share of the economy.

Sad day for our kids, hope you people who voted NO can look at your self in the mirror

Let's try to measure the economic impact of prop G on the community.

If you are a PUSD employee who will be losing your job because of prop G and you will be tightening your belt. Please let local merchants that your reason for canceling or cutting back service is due to prop G.

To be fair to both sides, if you are making a purchase because you have the extra $233 a year. Please let local merchants know that as well.

It would be interesting to hear from local realtors what the impact is. What are prospective buyers saying when you disclose that PUSD will be going to 26-1 classes and cutting programs. Especially given that neighboring cities have a parcel tax and are not undertaking these measures. If you decide to not disclose this fact, no worries, I just did.

As for me, the local gym just lost a membership, and the local pest control company just lost a customer... due to prop G.

"I support the teachers as much as everyone else does."

Which is apparently not very much

"Just because that is the system doesn't make it right. This system is flawed. Your weak argument about a student moving is simply that, weak! I know this might be hard for you to understand, but try this. What ever money a student gets for the year, you divide it up by the days the student registered at that district and that's the percentage the school gets. It's a fixed amount each year for the student and the districts can better judge what they recieve from the state. I'm worried about you, too. Is this too hard to understand?"

Well smarty pants, your original comment suggested that the person duidn't know what they were talking about it it m,adeyou sound like an idiot, because its currently done that way - which I NEVER claimed was the best way, I jsut stated and areguement that makes sonse as to why they use that approach..

So from your arguement about, the district swould get no money until the year is over so they can see how many days a student was registered at a school. Kind of makes it difficult to do a budget if you don't know how much money you will receive until after the entire school year is over.

Your logic is very disconcerning and it appears that you have MANY MANY more things to worry about than me, so don't waster your time. Try opening a book or something - maybe wait until you finish high school before posting.

I disagree with Marcia. (I voted YES on G by the way).

The cuts have already been made, back in the beginning of the year. The parcel tax was supposed to restore some of those cuts, which included elementary school counselors, class size reduction in high school, and other unnecessary items.

Those items are gone, but whether the parcel tax passed or not, we were going to see further cuts - just like with the propositions on may 19: if they passed or failed the picture was ugly.

So Marcia: I believe the district was planning to cut other programs regardless of the parcel tax. The parcel tax was going to go for specific items, and the rest were still vulnerable, at stake.

I voted YES because I did not think I had other options. But I knew that even if the parcel tax passed, I would potentially see things I find desirable, cut from the budget. All while financing items I did not agree with but were locked in by the parcel tax.

The solution is to make cuts that do not affect the students/programs. That can be done:

- Rollback ALL administrative raises they took last year
- All administration takes a paycut and loses their perks
- Teachers' union need to make concessions: no more work days without their students, no more development days, no more half days, stop the countless days off, end the school year early. No COLA, no raises, and no more substitutes unless it is a medical/real situation (I remember a teacher posting how she felt entitled to take the day off to see her child's assembly and thus hire a substitute)

- Look at all non-teaching personnel at ALL the school sites (clerks, secretaries, etc) and eliminate those not needed. Have you ever walked into a school office? Too many people sitting at their desks not doing anything. You only need one person, not three or four.

- Look at the administrative positions again. No need for 2 part time HR directors plus one assistant superintendent of HR. Get rid of the excess in ALL the departments.

- The list goes on....

Just fine, thank you very much !
I just not learned of the plush bus trips for big healthy guys from
Amador to Foothill??? Now, I know for sure'NO' was the ONLY sane vote. That 'wuss' stuff is NOT BUILDING MEN ! so don't even pretend you care about RAISING DECENT ADULTS ! IF there isn't ANY parent that cares enough to load stuff in their van, and MEET the kids, once they walk themselves to the other school.......PLEEEEEEEZE!!!
That fresh air would be good for their brain growth. I use to have to walk across town in the snow, carrying my books, in the dark most of the year ! IF you mention safety, insurance THAT MAKES MY CASE...CUT the cr**. Get lean, get tough, get serious about genuine education. H E L P us STAND UP to the illegal situation...IF you care ahout our kids ! Politics IN OUR classrooms didn't help the cause !! Won't they EVER learn ?? stick to teaching.

Privatize,
Look up the definition of "minority." The majority of voters were in favor of G. I have no doubt that you have been to many "tea bag" parties.

"That means 3/4 of the voters in Pleasanton did NOT want a parcel tax."

I beleive your numbers show at 41% * 38% = 15.6% of the voters did NOT want a parcel tax and 84.4% did.

What the numbers really show is that over half of the people here couldn't care less - which may be the biggest concern.

To A Very Disappointed Parent,
Great, I think that's a fine and generous thing for you to do... VOLUNTARILY. That is exactly what I will do if my own financial position permits, and I feel that the School District is using the funds they're alredy getting from my tax dollar wisely.
Any parent in the district knows that we're already paying for many enrichments out of our own pocket, and we'll continue to do so at our own discretion.
Our government, including Cities, Counties, and the State, have not been accountable for the tax dollars we've entrusted to them. As I mentioned before, Alameda County residents are now paying 9.75% sales tax, that's nearly 10% of every dollar. Many of us have decided to say NO to any more taxes. We have to live within our means in our personal lives, and our tax funded agencies should be accountble to do the same.

Why don't we just cut summer school all together and actually have the students study, put forth a little effort and pass the class during the regular school year.

"So supporters, get your checkbooks out. I'm ready. I attended school board meetings. I know that all other cuts have been made and teachers have already forgone pay raises several years in a row. I already give at least double the amount of the parcel tax to my kids schools every year. I am willing to give more to support the schools even if others choose not to. Someone just tell us who to write the checks to and where to send it!"

It would be great if there could be a formal organization that could raise money to keep specific programs. Don't the raise like $1 million+ a year in lafayette through donations to keep certain programs? Donations help, but a specified plan would be best.

LN - I'm afraid you are no longer allowed to post here as your arguement was clear, concise, logical and factual. Anyone of those is grounds for removal, but all four...you must certainly be in the wrong place.

I am saddened that the measure did not pass. The staff to student ratio is such a fundamental issue in providing a receptive environment for learning.

I have given MUCH more then $233 to my daughter's school and will continue to do so. My husband and I volunteer in the classroom and behind the scenes. I see MANY parents helping out in various ways. We are very fortunate to have a community that is able to supplement and add to the school's vibrant life.

I help run an art class for the Kindergartners once per month (volunteer run program). I could not image doing this with more then 20 children which will now be the case when we lose the proper ratio. It will be pure chaos!

My fear is for the children who are at risk both/either academically and behaviorally. There will be more of these children and less staff attention to deal with them in the most effective ways. This atmosphere only trickles down and negatively impacts ALL students.

The community of Piedmont (very well regarded schools and affluent/democratic community) supported their schools:

Measure B will extend an existing parcel tax of about $2,082 per year per average parcel. It will take effect with the 2010-11 budget year and will run for four years. The rate will not increase in 2010-11.

Measure E is an "emergency" flat tax that will go into effect July 1 and run for three years. It will levy about $249 per parcel per year.

Good for Piedmont - Sad for us here in Pleasanton

Publicize,

Please read post to Dale, above, about "tea bag parties". Left-wingers seem fixated on the whole "tea bag" thing. They need to wean themselves of The Daily Show and The Daily Kos.

Bill I have not posted under a different pen. My post was responding to:
Stacey who said that supporters of G will blame those who don't (and thus didn't vote yes) -- Well duh, they voted against it, they are responsible, just a fact. (I can post a link to a fact if that makes you feel better)

And to 'Frank' who said that teacher would punish students due to the electorate outcome -- Come on don't you think he needs calling out on that one.

And to Qwerty, who claimed not to be cheap. (An obvious guilty conscience)

And to Kathleen who had alterial motives for her arguments.

I have been clear on my motives - pass a parcel tax to fund the schools at the local level for the period of crisis.

Perhaps, I should have left off the young Republican comment, but I recognize the pattern, been there done that.

OH and Bill be careful not to call the kettle black.


Posted by Bill, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, 3 hours ago





TO "ME" - Take a tip from Let's Move on and stop being such a little whiner - you and your alter ego "Kelly," are so ridiculous in your complaints about posters.


Stop wasting everyone's time with your postings. It's obvious that you are the kind of person who has to blame someone else anytime you don't get what you want. You probably blamed your teachers when you didn't get the grade you wanted, your coaches when you didn't get to be on the "A" team and your mother for making you into the sniveling crybaby you are today.


Get some professional help - you need it.

To all of the Yes supporters of Measure G. Just because the parcel tax didn't pass there is absolutely nothing stopping you from writing a $233 check to the PUSD for the next four years. You wanted obviously felt it was a good idea to have the parcel tax, so go ahead and pay it. Noone will stop you, and if all of the Yes supporters do that there will be almost $9 million given to PUSD over the next four years. That will certainly help the schools.

I am very relieved that Measure G didn't pass. The reality is that the school district cannot continue to function in an economic bubble, handing out raises, and subsidizing housing and child care for its employees while the rest of us are suffering out in the real world. In our own household, one of us is now unemployed and the other took a pay cut to keep their job. Yet we were being asked to pay for the raises, car allowances, and other perks for school employees. It's time for the schools & its employees to tighten their belts and start living in the real world along with the rest of us.

The people in California, as well as in this community, cannot continue to rob Peter to pay Paul.

For those of you who feel strongly that the school district really needs the money, I'm sure the school district would happily accept a $233 donation from all 9,651 of you, for a total of $2,248,683.

Something tells me that even of those who were in favor of the parcel tax, there will be very few who will voluntarily be writing checks to the school district.
I will continue to support specific things at the schools of my children provided there is accountability for the money I'm donating. As for tax dollars that are forcibly taken from my family, I'm paying enough already to a wasteful local and state government.

Pleasanton is a great place to live, and it will still be a great place to live. Let's give our children and the parents of those children some credit for their own success, both now and in the future. Schools play a big part, but to state that our children are doomed because they're going to be in bigger classrooms or have fewer enrichment programs, is minimizing a parents contribution to their childrens success. Alot of parents are under the impression that they are responsible for the success of their children. Can we be so wrong?

Still haven't seen any numbers that could frame this debate the right way. I'm not falling for the doom and gloom, at least first without comparing this lost 8 million or so with the overall PUSD budget growth vs population growth and inflation.

LN, perhaps a small nit...

You said “Alot of parents are under the impression that they are responsible for the success of their children. Can we be so wrong?”
To that, I say parents are responsible for effectively raising their children. I’m not responsible for the success of my children. I’m responsible for providing an environment that allows them to succeed. They must put the hard work in to be successful.

So , Educated, how about if we correct your lecture to Parent of Two:

41% of eligible voters voted
Of those, 62% voted yes, 38% voted no.
So, only about 16% (41% * 38%) voted against the parcel tax.
That means 25% (41% * 62%) of the voters in Pleasanton DID want a parcel tax. Not 84%. The rest simply didn't care.

And let's be real: Measure G was not about our kids and not about our property values. It was about jobs. Teacher's Union jobs. Sorry...

Bill, I absolutely agree with you. Sadly, a majority of the voters don't care, or at least not enough to take 15 minutes to vote.

My objective was to help Parent of Two see how ridiculous his/her argument was.

To whoever posted under the username "Me"

You are wrong. I don't have an "obvious guilty conscience". I donate my expertise to the schools as well as my own money through supplies. Do not accuse others unless you have walked in their shoes. Unless you have something substantive to say, stop your nonsensical comments.

To Mike,

Good point. Perhaps I should have written that some parents feel that they play a larger role in their childrens overall success than their school does. Some posters seem to feel that a childrens success, or lack thereof is completely in the hands of the school district. I feel otherwise.

Does anyone know why this election was not held on the same day as the last "special election?"

This parcel tax was about providing a funding bridge to deal with a portion of the lost revenue-it is that simple. Significant cuts are going to have to be made whether or not G passed. It is too bad the waters were muddied by a small group of people with an ax to grind with the District and who wanted to promote their own political agenda.

LN, I totally agree with you. As a society, we have surrendered so much of our “personal responsibility” to The State, to our demise.

For all you "NO" voters patting yourselves on the back, your 6435 votes that killed the parcel tax represent less than 1% of the population of Pleasanton.

Web Link

This is just as absurd as the minority in our state Senate and Assembly that control the agenda with the 2/3 vote requirement to pass a budget. The ideologically rigid "no tax" minority will be the undoing of this state. It has got to change.

Thomas,

Who are the people you're referring to with an axe to grind and political agendas? If you're referring to those who voted against the parcel tax, then you're referring to me and I have neither an axe to grind or a political agenda. I simply don't want to pay any more taxes, period. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your comment.

LN, from what I understand, a calculated decision was made on the part of Measure G advocates, especially Dr. Casey, to have a special election at an additional tax payer cost of over $230,000. The calculation was that with a small turnout, G would have the best chance to win, since many in favor would vote and very few opposed would turn out to vote. The strategy almost worked.

Mike,
I'm not sure that I'm willing to believe that it was that calculated; however, I have no direct knowledge so I'm still open to receiving credible information.

Do we know what it would have cost to have held this in conjunction with the special election? Is the 230K in addition to what that would have cost, or is 230K the total cost for our own little special election?

Tyranny of the Minority, I disagree with your position. The minority is keeping the tax and spend majority from my wallet, and for that, I am forever grateful. If a law designed to dig into our collective wallets can’t muster 66.67% of the vote, whether through the legislature or directly through the citizens, then darn it, the measure deserves to fail.

LN, I'm under the impression that the cost of the June 2 election was an additional taxpayer expense of $230,000. If anyone has better information, please share.

For all of those suggesting that the YES voters contribute the $233 to the school district, I'm sure that most will (me included). We'll figure out a way to minimize the damage to the schools and kids, although there will be some, no doubt.

Good teachers are going to be lost now, and other good teachers may be less inclined to come to Pleasanton in the future. You get what you pay for after all. (Or in this case, don't get what you don't pay for...)

And for those without kids, or those whose main interest is the 'bottom line', there are many good studies out there that directly correlate your real estate values to the quality of the schools in the district - to the tune of thousands of dollars per point metric that's measured. So, to save $233/year, you just lost some great present and future teachers, as well a thousands of dollars of value off of you homes. BRILLIANT.

Enjoy your $4 Starbucks, your wine, and your dinners out, while the YES Vote figures out a way to continue to continue to carry you in 'our' Community...

tjx, get of your soap box. This is a community that includes those of us who voted no. I suggest you check out the Great Ideas thread and stop you sniveling. That thread has lots of excellent ideas, from yes and no voters and I’m sure some people that didn’t vote.

I say to all you cry babies Whey, Whey, Whey!!!
The teachers in Pleaanton are the best paid in the area, maybe instead of all those raises they should of saved for a rainy day.
Ha, Ha, Ha.
Glad I dont have to see those stupid signs or writings on the cars!

The cost of holding the special election in June vs. May is posted on the PUSD web site (noted below).

This is what it says:

"The District has been quoted a cost of $5 to $7 per registered voter by the Registrar of Voters. There are about 40,900 voters registered, so the range for a June election is estimated to be $204,000 to $286,000. The Registrar quoted a potential savings of 20 - 30% if the election were consolidated with the May election. From staff's point of view, elections are expensive, and holding the election in June allows more time for voters to learn about education funding. It also may allow voters to focus on the local issue without the distraction of the state measures."

Just another example of PUSD's fiscal irresponsibility.

Web Link

Thomas wrote: "This parcel tax was about providing a funding bridge to deal with a portion of the lost revenue-it is that simple. Significant cuts are going to have to be made whether or not G passed. It is too bad the waters were muddied by a small group of people with an ax to grind with the District and who wanted to promote their own political agenda."

How so true this is. Those of us who have been around a loooooong time know this.

Resident: I fully agree with you. I must not have made myself clear enough.

BTW, what I am curious about is how many of the "no" on G voters don't have kids in school here. Very few bloggers have ever I.D.'d themselves as having kids in school...just curious.

Theresa...if you are capable of it.....grow up!

Tyranny...you really think this state is undertaxed? What is wrong with you people?? Why is fiscal responsibility and responsible spending NEVER an option with your lot? Do you really thing spending levels that grossly outstrip population growth and inflation, along with the incredible taxation levels to support it, are sustainable?

Measure G did not pass. So how about making this thing voluntary? For all the people who voted yes means these people are willing to cough up roughly $200 bucks a year for 4 years to fund whatever it needs to fund. This to me is a drop in the bucket...meaning, the majority of people who live in Pleasanton can easily absorb this cost. All who are gainfully employed...who drives fancy cars (Lexus, Mercedes, Acura MDXs, or whatever high end to mid end cars) can surely afford 200 bucks and even more. I suppose the question is really whehter or not there in waste going on...meaning should we pay this extra money. To me, I don't know...some are accusing of waste...some are saying there are no waste and every cent is being used for a good purpose. The likely truth is it is somewhere in between. So how about what I think...somehow ask everyone in Pleasanton to chip in voluntarily. I know...I know...its not fair for the ones who do chip in and have the people who did not chip in benefit from these programs this money is suppose to support. Hey, no one said life is fair. At least in this way, whatever money people say they were willing to cough up is at least collected. Btw, I would pay 200 bucks and just hope this money goes to good use.

Should be interesting on Friday; PUSD will be handing out reassignment and termination letters to teachers. Two plan existed for the primary grades (currently 20:1)this past Monday: 24:1, or 30:1. We don't know if we'll see the federal stimulus monies, nor do we know if CA will hand down more cuts. Should be interesting.

I'll be helping *at least* five teachers at my site pack up their classrooms: one moves to a different site and at least four will no longer have jobs. Two more of us could be moving to a different site - still great as all the "movers" still have jobs, but what happens to the school community? We're a family and it's painful to see what's happening to our lives as teachers and how the class size and service changes will affect the children.

Some feel that adding more kids just means that the teachers will just have to work harder, but that somehow the level of service will remain the same. How can this be? How is 20 like 25? Or 30?

How will classroom donation monies address this ratio?

Back in the day of larger class sizes, the standards were much (much!) lower. (CSR came in with the standards changes.) Even with the simpler standards, 5th grade teachers would have students who were still learning to read at grade level, even those who had great teachers - it was just hard to get to everyone for the amount of time needed to see strong gains. Now we have higher standards yet we don't have those students falling through the cracks; teachers are able to get to them in the primary grades so they come ready for higher level learning...plus have the benefit of feeling successful, something which research shows has long-lasting effect on one's actual success in school and in later life.

I already gave my $800+ for this school year. Each year I spend $500 to $6,500 for my classroom to provide the children with engaging lessons and literature. (This doesn't include money spent on the many courses I take to continually learn and become a better teacher.)

I look forward to the next school board meeting. I think the conversation will become one of specifics - more information is needed and some data need to be made crystal clear.

I'm a student at Foothill, and I'd just like to say that larger class sizes directly relates to level of education. Personally, I'm disgusted at how people are allowing elementary school classes to rise even higher in size. Have you ever been to a kindergarten class? Imagine one teacher, trying to control a mob of 30+ little kids.

And for all of your criticizing the teachers for not accepting pay cuts and the like, how will that help? No matter what, next year's level of education will be worse than this year's. Standing around issuing blame will achieve nothing. By the time we find a solution to the crisis, a few years might have passed. A few years is CRITICAL to a young student. During elementary school I learned many of the basic skills that are essential in the modern world's knowledge base. Math, reading, etc. If i had a few years of absurdly large classes, I would not have learned as much. Think beyond money for a second - education and children are worth so much more than that. What's 200 dollars when the difference could be your children's success in a decade.

I realize that the vote is over and nothing will happen. I'd just like to say that I'm glad that I'm graduating in a few years, so I won't have to suffer the consequences.

There seem to be several people on this thread who are very concerned about kindergarten classes. The way kindergarten has worked in the past (and still as far as I know) is that half the class comes first thing in the morning, and the other half comes in the late morning. The 2 groups overlap for about an hour to do activities that are conducive to larger groups, like singing. The rest of the time, when the are working on the more academic subjects, only 1/2 the children are in the classroom. Right now that is only 10 children at a time. It could go up to 15, but that still seems like a managable group to me.

You can be part of the solution - get a part time job and donate some of your earnings to your school.

Tyranny of the Minority,

I love it! This state already has the second highest taxes in the country and you are bemoning that they can't be raised more?!!! One should praise the minority in the Legislature that held a firm position on tax increases. That minority consists of the only Legislators that don't behave like a bunch of drunken sailors. The Legislature is addicted to money, whatever they have they spend, and then they spend a lot more that they don' have. I can assure you if taxes were raised, the state would still be facing bankruptcy.

That 2/3 vote requirement came out of another taxpayer revolt, and I expect there's another one brewing. Oh by the way, those "rich people" and companies that California and New York want to raise taxes on - they must believe its coming to pass. They're moving out of both states - big time. Oops, they were the ones that were paying a vast majority of the taxes. Looks like Sacramento will have a few more "revenues are not what we anticipated" moments". When California declares bankruptcy, and that may be within weeks, its not going to be pretty.

Dear Buttock's (fitting name),

It costs money to run the state. If you and your friends get your way, only those wealthy enough to "pay their own way" will be okay. Let me ask you a question. Are you a recipeient of the biggest tax susbidy that exists (home interest tax deduction)? If you and your friends are willing to give that up, then we can go to the school and the teachers who are busting their "buttocks" for your kids and ask them to accept some cuts.

A little compassion is in order. The responsibilities of socitey go beyond your pocketbook. We're in deep trouble.

Tryanny of the Minority,

You're right, we are in deep, deep trouble. Socialism doesn't work. It never has, it never will. California's welfare state is headed for the iceberg. And, the other 49 states are laughing their buttock's off (well, New York and Taxachussetts probably aren't laughing, they're probably getting a bit uneasy, especially with their "wealthy" moving to Florida, including the pubic service employees that retired at 50 with full salary for life).

How does every topic on this site wind up in rants by left-wing loons?

"Tryanny (sic)"? Let me guess. A well funded education?

A "tax subsidy" is an oxymoron. Either you take money for the state or you get money from the state. You don't "give take" money, as that would mean.

I'm trying to figure out when it became my problem to make sure teachers had a job. I mean, I'm all for giving money to someone to teach my kids, when I know they are doing the job. If I actually see value from it, I think it is money well spent. The way you talk, it's like I'm obligated to give them money, regardless of the value my family gets from it.

When did my kids become your piggy bank?

I voted no on G and have a son at PMS and I am not going to apoligize, it should be the District that apoligizes and the teachers unions for the mess that has become our school system. I hated the idea of G, but if the School District now asks for a voluntery contribution; I will be among the first to write a check for $1000. I just didn't like the politics behind the measure; yes, as I home owner I get a intesest deduction; but our California property taxes are among the nations highest...enough is enough.

@Right Choice

That is just plain wrong. California has a disproportionately low property tax considering the how advanced the state is economically. We've had to raise sales and income taxes as a result, and these are regressive, which means they are funded mostly by people who are hit the hardest during an economic downturn.

Shifting the burden from sales tax to property tax is the right thing to do.

"Shifting the burden from sales tax to property tax is the right thing to do."

Maybe, but that's not likely to happen. The politicians have themselves to blame for why voters don't trust them. Our last few governors in CA, going back to Wilson, when given the choice to spend within our means or just go for broke and spend it all, chose the latter option when revenues flourished. Now, we are broke.

And actually, that's a bit unfair, the governors didn't do it all themselves, the state legislature played a major role. And let's not forget the voters, who voted those legistlators in and approved spending proposition after spending proposition, all bond financed, that even ties our state government's hands when it comes to balancing our budget. Let's not forget them, too.

People need to wake up and realize this kind of splurging is not sustainable. Yeah, we could jack up the property taxes so we lead the nation in that area just like we about do for sales taxes and income taxes, but will our state gov't drop those tax burdens to compensate? I don't think anyone would believe that. Instead, as history tells us, the gov't will just spend the extra income on more vote buying schemes and the worse off we'll all be.

Let's come down to earth folks and see things for what they are. We do not have a revenue issue we have a spending issue. If we want money for education what are we going to give up? That is the way it works in life. Why is it that nobody is talking about the lavish government retirement programs which in and of themselves are bankrupting us. If I were the governor I will go into bankrupcy immediately as that is what we are and is the only way to renegotiate contracts with the unions.

Prop 13 wins again. Just because you call it something else and found a away to get around it, it is still a property tax.

I think that's what bothered me the most.

I was raised in poorer schools than Pleasanton has and got a superior education. If I thought these schools gave a superior education I'd be happy to contribute but I don't believe they do so I won't kick in another dollar. We've actually had to pay through the nose for private schools for our kids as well as paying taxes for the public schools. Enough is enough.