Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School board member urges yes vote on SCA 5, cites unequal per‑pupil funding
Summary
A school board member representing the Santa Clara County School Boards Association Legislative Action Committee and the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees urged support for SCA 5 (Education Equalization Act), saying it would create an equalization reserve funded in strong budget years and would not reduce Proposition 98 funding.
A school board member representing the Santa Clara County School Boards Association Legislative Action Committee and the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees urged support for SCA 5, the Education Equalization Act, saying the measure would help close wide gaps in per‑pupil funding that affect student services and outcomes.
"Should a child's future or the American dream be significantly compromised by the assessed value of a property in their community?" the school board member asked in recorded remarks, arguing most California voters would answer no and that SCA 5 is meant to address that disparity.
The speaker told the body the association represents 31 school districts and more than 260,000 students in Santa Clara County and described multiple areas where funding differences appear: school resources, access to mental‑health services, arts, technology and career counseling, and other enrichment opportunities.
Drawing on more than 12 years as a school board member, the speaker said districts now face rising costs, including "a 20% rise in health care costs" for many school district employees, "unexpected litigation costs" and new policy questions such as cell‑phone rules and the effects of artificial intelligence.
Explaining the measure's mechanics as described in the remarks, the school board member said SCA 5 would create a fiscally responsible equalization reserve funded only in the strongest budget years and using non‑Proposition 98 funds. "SCA 5 does not reduce Proposition 98 funding. It does not take money away from anyone. It does not redirect local property tax revenues," the speaker said.
On behalf of the Santa Clara County School Boards Association Legislative Action Committee and the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees, the speaker closed by requesting a yes vote on SCA 5.
A presiding officer who acknowledged the remarks then asked if there were any additional comments; the transcript ends before that exchange is completed.
