YES ON W:
CONTINUING A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR OUR KIDS!

Davis public schools are among the best in the state because generations of residents have made investing in education a top commitment of our community.

Measure W is needed to make up for the shortfall in state funding immediately and over the next several years. Without Measure W our schools will face severe program cuts and teacher layoffs.

The Davis School Board cut educational programs and made significant cutbacks in school administration this past year. An unprecedented community-wide fundraising effort was necessary to preserve core educational programs and prevent teacher layoffs for the 2008/2009 school year only. But we cannot rely on such extraordinary stop-gap efforts to fund our schools.

Measure W will provide a reliable funding source for critical educational programs for the next three school years. Homeowners can continue our community’s tradition of preserving quality schools for $120 per year, or $10 per month.

Measure W will:

• Protect science, math and English programs;
• Keep class sizes small;
• Fund classes and teachers for music, art, social studies and foreign language;
• Preserve athletics and physical fitness programs; and
• Support our school librarians.

Every dollar Measure W generates will go directly to classrooms and instructors for student learning. Not one dollar from Measure W can be spent on administration. An independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee will track all funds.

Measure W is designed for Davis. Apartments are assessed a lower amount and there is a voluntary exemption for seniors.

We ask that you VOTE YES on W to continue our community’s long-standing tradition of investing in education because this investment benefits not just our children, it benefits all of us.

REBUTTAL TO THE CON ARGUMENTS

Please don't be fooled by false and misleading arguments against Measure W.

• FACT: Measure W is designed to address immediate school funding shortfalls that forced the Davis School Board to authorize substantial cuts for the 2008-2009 school year.   A community-wide fundraising drive then restored important educational programs for only one year.  Measure W would fund these valued services for the next three years.
  
  
• FACT: Programs funded by Measure W are NOT INCLUDED in any existing parcel tax measures.
  
  
• FACT: Measure W will expire in three years.
  
  
• FACT: Measure W includes a lower rate for apartments and an exemption for seniors so they are released from undue tax burden.
  
  
• FACT: Measure W meets immediate funding needs – it does not create new programs.
  
  
• FACT:  If Measure W is rejected, the Davis Board of Education will be forced to eliminate teaching positions and instructional programs.
  
  

Davis residents know the quality of life in Davis is linked to the quality of our schools.  Our children, our neighborhoods, even property values, are supported by quality schools.

Though the economy is uncertain, we know that the way to a better future is to protect the quality of public education.  It’s time to demonstrate our values once again.  We ask that you vote YES on Measure W to support our schools and our community.

To learn more visit www.YesforOurStudents.org. Thank you.