Seizing Laguna School Funds Would Be Unfair

Re “Unlikely Allies May Lose School Funds,” April 19:

Aside from the negative tone of the article on basic-aid school districts, there are several points in need of amplification or clarification with regard to the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

Repeated references to $5,000 per student provided by the state does not make it true. Data we have collected -- particularly when compared with other districts with similar student populations -- indicates otherwise.

Of specific concern is the comment from Sacramento that the money ($126 million from the basic-aid districts) will be spread among other school districts in the respective counties. It has been our understanding that the governor proposes to confiscate the $126 million to help offset the general fund deficit and not to benefit education in any way, anywhere.

A second concern is related to the comments on the new gym and performing arts center on the middle school campus. What was not mentioned is that there is no connection between bond money for facilities renovation, repair and modernization and general operating funds for day-to-day education of youngsters. Laguna Beach residents voted for the bonds to fix older campuses, and they pay property taxes to support their local schools.

Yes, yoga is offered, but the context was missing. Yoga is offered to teachers and staff as part of a comprehensive staff development program to ensure the academic, physical and emotional well-being of each child in the district.

Finally, we don’t provide art to students because “it makes them happy.” The community, especially the parents, makes substantial donations to the district each year through SchoolPower and the Endowment Fund to ensure that children in the district have full access to an array of opportunities designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they will need in their postsecondary careers and life as well-informed, thoughtful citizens.

Bashing basic-aid districts to get $126 million is a waste of time and will never solve a $25-billion to $35-billion state problem. It is time to get real and spread the pain equitably. Let’s face it: Education is a big-ticket item in California, and will need to assume its share of the burden, but not 25% to 55% of the income of 60 or so basic-aid districts.

Kathryn A. Turner

President, Governing Board

Laguna Beach Unified School District

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Your article about tax cuts to basic-aid districts was great, because it explained in very simple terms what a basic-aid district is.

We have high property taxes here in Laguna Beach, but that has been good for the rest of the state. We just get the basic amount from the state. The basic-aid districts get $120 per student compared with the average $2,500 per student for other school districts. Basically, we are funding our own schools.

We should be allowed to keep our property taxes in Laguna, just as all other districts do. It is unfair to give our property taxes to other districts so Gov. Gray Davis won’t have to hit others’ pocketbooks that contributed to his campaign. Schools don’t give Gov. Davis money, so we are the first on the chopping block.

Davis knew while campaigning last fall that we had a huge deficit and did not talk about it. He instead touted his higher standards for schools and keeping lower class sizes. He pacified parents with hopes of better education, saying it was a priority. So, yes, he got our vote, and what happens? Right out of the starting gate, he decides that it is schools that will solve the bulk of his lack of accounting and management skills.

If Laguna Beach’s property taxes are taken, it can happen to any community. This is a big mistake and, frankly, a very bad precedent.

Nancy L. Epstein

Laguna Beach