Home Antioch Letter: Antioch School Board Member Explains Why He Opposes Proposition 55

Letter: Antioch School Board Member Explains Why He Opposes Proposition 55

by ECT

Dear Editor:

Last week I was “taken to task” by a member of the Antioch Education Association (AEA), the local teachers’ union, for voting against a resolution supporting passage of Proposition 55.  What does Proposition 55 do?  It extends for another 12 years what was promised to be a temporary income tax increase targeting ‘high-income’ Californians.  While the commercials hitting the airways, and the statement made by my protagonist at our last board meeting, claim it will benefit our kids, the passage of the measure will really benefit the teachers’ union…to the detriment of our kids.  That’s why I stand firm in my vote against the resolution supporting it.

The California Teachers Association (CTA) is pumping millions of dollars into support of the passage of Proposition 55.  Over half of state revenues already go to education…but to the powerful CTA, and local teachers’ unions, that will never be enough.  They will always want more…dissatisfied with the step wage increases built into their salary tables, they want additional raises and additional benefits…which of course means more money into union coffers.

The problems in our schools are not because of a lack of funding.  They exist because of failed policies, backed by the CTA, AEA, and others.  Just last month, the editorial board of the San Diego Union Tribune explained in an op-ed article why providing additional revenues to schools amounts to continuing to shore up a failed, ‘status-quo.’  It amounts to continued support for extreme job protection policies that make it virtually impossible to fire bad teachers.  It amounts to the continued failure to educate our poorest, most vulnerable students, and ensures the achievement gap that exists for students of color will continue.

Indeed, if money were the answer, the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) would be a beacon for students.  AUSD receives almost a quarter of a billion dollars to educate the approximately 16,000 students in the district.  Over the three school years 2012-2013 to 2014-2015 alone, according to Ed-Data, General Fund revenues increased from $131 million to $162 million, at a time when the student population was decreasing.

This amounted to a jump from $7638 per student (based on average daily attendance) to $9600 per student…an increase of 24%!  What have we gotten in return?  The percentage of students graduating ready to attend a California State school increased from 31.6% to 32.2%…virtually no change.  The statistics are even worse for our most vulnerable students.  The percentage of English Language Learner students reclassified as Fluent/Proficient actually dropped over this time, from an already poor 9.8% to an absolutely dismal 7.3%.  Currently, only 10% of African-American students test even basically proficient in math.

Don’t be fooled.  This measure is a classic ‘bait and switch.’  The education system in California is broken, in no small part because of policies backed by powerful union interests that are about their members…not your children.

I’ll be voting ‘no’ on Proposition 55.

By Fernando Navarro
Antioch Unified School District Appointed School Board Member

You may also like

12 comments

Craig Lester Oct 19, 2016 - 10:02 am

I had no clue Donald Trump was running for Antioch School Board. This guy is a complete moron and anyone who supports education should give this guy the boot this November.

I am supporting Gibson-Gray, Burkholder and Motts. The three best candidates who have common sense approaches to making this district better, not telling voters unrealistic solutions and lies about the District and staff.

Navarro is not only bad for Antioch School District, but bad for Antioch because he puts politics before children and can be seen in his voting record and statements. He is a far right wing nut.

Kate Oct 19, 2016 - 10:17 am

As a teacher, I will never support you. You do not support our children and have been nothing but a negative as a school board member. I would ask voters to look at other candidates.

Teachers Pet Oct 19, 2016 - 10:24 am

OMG this guy has no business being on the School Board. I hope voters realize that Prop 55 will continue to benefit Antioch schools like Prop 30 did. Where would we be right now without $67 million in additional funds that we received? This guy is an embarrassment.

Concerned Antioch Resident Oct 19, 2016 - 10:48 am

It looks like an issue of pay more, get less (student proficiency) to me. The question that remains to be answered/dealt with is: Why is student proficiency down even with the increase in funding?

Dylan Howell Oct 19, 2016 - 2:45 pm

Please consider the difference between causation and correlation. Did increased funding cause less proficiency, or is it simply coincidence? And don’t forget to look at all the other factors involved. One of the things that Navarro failed to point out is that the reason Antioch received a massive increase in funding is because of the new state funding model (LCFF) – School districts which have a majority of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, and/or who have English as a second language received significant increases in funding from the state because of the extra needs these students bring to school. Antioch Unified has more than 70% of its students who now fall within these parameters. I would suggest that this drop in the socio-economic status of our students is the major factor in the struggle for proficiency. If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, or where you will sleep tonight, passing an algebra class is the least of your worries.
If you really want to play the causation/correlation game – I would suggest you compare teacher salaries in districts with the highest proficiency rates to teacher salaries in districts with the lowest proficiency rates. In Contra Costa County, places like Pleasanton and San Ramon are two of the top paying districts around, and guess what their proficiency rates are?

Jim Simmons Oct 19, 2016 - 10:58 am

Mr. Navarro along with Debra Vinson is the reason the School District is in chaos. Navarro should be voted out in November and Vinson in 2 years.

CJ Roses Oct 19, 2016 - 11:20 pm

You’re my hero. Teachers union is acting out of pure greed. Really good courage.

Monte Gregg Oct 20, 2016 - 1:30 pm

Do you spend time in the schools of Antioch Unified School District? If not then you have no informed opinion of what a true hero is. Mr Navarro has yet to say something positive about our students, our staff or our District. How is that hero behavior in a man who wants to govern?

Julio Oct 20, 2016 - 1:29 pm

Hope Mr. Navarro continues to be the one person on the board with a back bone. Vinson definitely should go next election but Navarro stays.

R j b Oct 20, 2016 - 2:39 pm

Navarro will call it like it is. No more handouts to people who can’t spend within their budget.

AUSD has a ton of problem and throwing. Lee money at it will not fix it. It’s the people that run that place who is the source of the issue.

I applaud Navarro for stepping up and calling it like it is. We need more people like him who are not afraid.

Common CENTS Oct 20, 2016 - 3:28 pm

Mr. Navarro’s biggest challenge is dealing with an audience and fellow board members that that don’t quite get it. He has demonstrated that he understands what many people here have overlooked.

1. He is elected by the people, not the teachers. His position is to represent the people, not the teachers (the teachers have a strong union that represents them).

2. Throwing money at a problem is not a smart way to fix things. He has used historical data to back up his position. We are teaching kids outside of the classroom to be dysfunctional.

3. We are supposed to be teaching our kids to prepare them for real life situations. Each and every day we all must learn to budget and live within certain means. In life, there are very few bailouts like bonds and tax extensions. Why should schools “routinely” use financing tactics which were meant for emergencies and unexpected needs. We teach our kids about budgeting, but as adults and elected trustees we abandon those principals? It has clearly gotten out of hand.

4. Probably the most important of the issues. “Tax the rich”. This is unfortunately the most disgusting and hypocritical part of the equation. A piece of low hanging fruit that is exploited; vilify a certain group who have worked hard, taken risks, and educated themselves to earn an income above what we consider normal. Some reward, since income is a form of financial measure. Is this what we want to teach our kids? Is this what we learned? Work hard, achieve, and you will be penalized.

Better put, why don’t we turn it into a teachable moment. How would any of you feel if we only taxed “A” students. That’s right, any student who works hard, does extra homework and achieves and A on their grades, will be subject to a tax. It’s NO different from any proposal to tax achievers who in this case have been rewarded by increased pay.

…isn’t that what is occurring when we cop out and say tax the rich, they can afford it?

Thanks Mr. Navarro, you get it. Too bad the teachers and those that want to tax “others” who have made a better life for themselves so that they can be subsidized for being mediocre. It’s really no different from Welfare.

No wonder so many people are fleeing this State. It’s not gold you see, its rust and ignorance, with a lot of entitlement thrown in……..

Troy Stevens Sr. Oct 21, 2016 - 12:39 pm

I think Mr. Navarro has hit the nail right on it’s head!! Union is getting hungry and needs more food (Money).

Comments are closed.