Dear Parents,
Nothing is more critical to our nation’s progress and prosperity than young minds developing the intellectual, social, and psychological skills necessary for lifelong learning.
Community support for our schools has helped Dixie School District win acclaim as one of the top-performing districts, in the highest performing county, in California.
But the state budget disaster, on top of chronic state under-funding, is threatening the District’s ability to provide top-quality education. In the last two years, we have been hit with $1000 per student state funding cuts.
Last November, our community rallied behind a parcel tax increase to stabilize Dixie District’s funding. We lost by only 47 votes.
On
January 13, 2004, the Dixie District School Board passed a resolution
to put Measure A on the ballot for the April 13th special
election, which:
·
Increases
the current parcel tax by $120 per year and automatically expires
in eight years. That’s the equivalent of an additional $2.30 per week.
·
Does
not contain annual cost-of-living increases, and allows seniors
over 65 years of age to apply for exemption.
The facts are simple and straightforward: Dixie District cannot absorb any more cuts without directly affecting the education each student receives. The District has already:
·
Eliminated
six teaching positions
·
Increased
class sizes
·
Cut instructional
aide time by one-third
·
Cut funding
for state mandated physical education programs in our elementary schools
·
Cut custodial
time by one-half
·
Significantly
reduced the purchase of much-needed teaching materials
If Measure A fails, deeper and more devastating cuts will be necessary. The School Board is currently considering:
- Making cuts in class size reduction, which means larger classes and fewer teachers in kindergarten through 3rd grade
- Eliminating our elementary music program
- Eliminating Miller Creek’s 7th period, which means a shorter school day without drama, art, music, or other electives
- Further reducing instructional aide time
- Further reducing counseling time
WE CAN
ONLY AVERT THIS CATASTROPHE WITH YOUR HELP!!
To pass Measure A, WE NEED:
- YOUR “YES” VOTE on April 13th.
- CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS! Only 15% of the registered voters in our district are parents so we need your help to get the word out to everyone!
- DONATIONS! We need $20,000 to run the most effective campaign possible. The success of our campaign will depend on your generosity.
- YOUR ENDORSMENT, allowing us to list your name publicly, for our campaign literature.
In difficult times like these, our children must be able to rely on their own community. The expense to us is low, but the benefits for our children are immeasurable.
Please invest in our children’s future by returning the enclosed card.
Sincerely,
Claire Snyder
Campaign Manager, “Yes on Measure A”
And the “Yes on Measure A” Steering Committee
Dave Anderson
Liz Beaman
Kris Geller
Phil Kranenburg
Carmen McHugh
Karen Padovese
Kristi Raube
Donna Roche
Linda Sniter
Greg Stepanicich