Schools to Get ‘Fair Share’--Deukmejian

Gov. George Deukmejian said today that he will give schools their “fair share” of any excess state tax revenue, which educators believe could mean enough for schools to “break even” financially next year.

But Deukmejian, addressing the California School Boards Assn., again scolded those who are calling on him to provide additional school funding in the proposed 1987-88 state budget. Education can be improved without pouring more money into the system, he said.

The Republican governor, who did not define what he meant by “fair share,” also said he will have to veto much of the legislation that would add about $2 billion in education spending next year.

Deukmejian’s comments on excess tax revenues, however, buoyed school board members’ hopes that there may be a solution to the battle over his proposed education budget.

CSBA President Dianne Jacob said after the address that she believes “fair share” means about 40% for kindergarten through 12th grade--roughly the same percentage the schools get of the total state budget.

If the surplus in the current fiscal year totals $1 billion, as reports have indicated, schools would then get $400 million, she said.

“They would be at a break-even point,” Jacob added.