Consider other ways to increase GUSD funding

By Elizabeth Vitanza, Glendale | 10/31/2019

In response to the Oct. 25 news article, “Glendale Unified begins discussion about bond measure, parcel tax possibilities”(LA Times, October 25) : While I am happy to hear that GUSD is starting to plan to address the chronic underfunding that plagues public schools both here and across California, I am dismayed that there is no mention of endorsing the November 2020 Schools and Communities First measure.

This statewide measure would yield over $3 billion annually for L.A. County by closing a commercial and industrial tax loophole. Forty percent of the money must go to K-12 schools and community colleges. The remaining 60% must go to cities and the county to be spent on infrastructure and services such as community centers, clinics, affordable housing and more.

Unlike a parcel tax or bond, the Schools and Communities First Measure will not burden homeowners or residential landlords, and it will provide a steady source of revenue in perpetuity. Because it is a reform and not a new tax, the threshold for its passage is 51%. And unlike a schools-only solution, the Schools and Communities First Measure could provide funding to address one of the root causes of enrollment declines in Glendale: lack of affordable housing.

The school board has set one of its four goals as “fiscal responsibility”; they owe it to the children and families of GUSD to explore all options, and that includes the Schools and Communities First Measure.