In the News

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A W for W: Davis agrees to new tax to help its schools

Measure W - the parcel tax designed to get the Davis school district through the state's fiscal crisis cruised to a strong win Tuesday. It racked up a 3-to-1 majority, well ahead of the 2-to-1 majority required for passage. [Published November 5, 2008]

DHS sports in peril if Measure W fails

Freshman, JV teams would be first to go. [Published on November 02, 2008]

Measure W Gains Most Powerful Endorsement to Date: Dweezel the Dragon

"Frankly, I cannot think of a more powerful spokesperson or a more powerful statement than that. Anyone who is still on the fence because of Valley Oak just remember, no one lived and breathed Valley Oak more than this individual. She sees the big picture here and knows what needs to be done...." [Published on November 02, 2008]

Our View: Say yes for Davis schools

The issue: Measure W needs two-thirds approval for passage [Published on November 2, 2008]

More state cuts looming

".... There's also growing recognition among Davis parents that Measure W has taken on added importance because of the looming budget cuts in Sacramento...." [Published on November 2, 2008]

District Transparency and the Measure Q Oversight Committee

"... the process that Mr. Schelen describes is so open, that members of the public can come to these meetings and participate. If they have questions, they have opportunities to ask them [or] staff. In other words, any individual who truly is interested in oversight has no legitimate reason to complain about this process--they have every opportunity themselves to be their own watchdog of the district and how it spends money...." [Published on October 31, 2008]

Measure W would support local schools

"Parcel tax measure has no organized opposition.... The Yolo County Taxpayers' Association, which frequently opposes parcel tax measures, endorsed the measure...." [Published on October 29, 2008]

W is for Davis: Vote to help schools

"And it would be great to be able to release our young, talented and dedicated superintendent, James Hammond, to move beyond trying to adequately fund Davis schools, to improving them for all children. For instance, as a community of educators, students, parents and others, we are making progress on closing the achievement and discipline gaps within our school district...." [Published on October 26, 2008]

In Davis, they're not frills; Measure W would fund school music, libraries, small classes

"A parcel tax like Measure W creates opportunities for students...." [Publish on October 20, 2008]

Endorsements for Measure W multiply

"'The endorsement of Measure W by so many organizations will remind voters that Measure W is really an investment,' Berry said. 'It's an investment in our kids, our schools, and our community as a whole.'" [Published on October 14, 2008]

Our view - Invest in Davis; vote yes on W

The issue: We know times are tough, but this school parcel tax is a bargain. [Published on October 11, 2008]

DHS prodigies: five more reasons to support Measure W

".... 'Shall the Davis Joint Unified School District preserve existing classroom programs including math and science, English, music, physical education, librarians, secondary class size reduction, athletics and co-curricular programs including drama, debate and journalism by being authorized to levy a special tax for a period of three years not to exceed the annual rate of $50 per dwelling unit for multi-dwelling parcels and $120 per parcel for all other parcels?' Based on what I saw last Saturday night [at the induction ceremony for the Davis High School Hall of Fame], the answer is a resounding 'Yes.'" [Published on October 12, 2008]

Keeping schools afloat: Teachers buoy Measure W

"Local teachers are too well aware that the whole cycle of pink slips and judicial hearings to determine rank-order for layoffs could begin again in a few months, if Measure W is not approved." [Published October 3, 2008]

Light Their Fire: Students' Interest Fueled by Science Program

"The advantage is that we teach science as an inquiry-based program,' rather than facts to be memorized. The kids have the opportunity to do labs on a frequent basis. It's activity-based learning .... " [Published October 1, 2008]

Taxpayers association gives nod to Measure W parcel tax

"The Yolo County Taxpayers Association is supporting Measure W, the Davis school district's parcel tax on the Nov. 4 ballot...." [Published September 22, 2008]

Op-ed - Measure W is a win for all of us

"Whether you have children in the Davis schools or not, the benefits of a thriving public school system extend to us all. We are inviting all school district families, grandparents, homeowners, voting students, business owners and our community to join us in voting yes on Measure W to maintain the quality of our Davis schools...." [Published September 21, 2008]

It sure seems like a fair exchange to me

"... if I'm the replacement columnist, I can spread the gospel of Yes on Measure W through humor and biting sarcasm...." [Published: September 12, 2008]

Op-Ed - Our choice is clear: a new tax, or cuts

"If Measure W does not pass, we must find ways to slash $2.4 million from the district's general fund early next year.... Participants in a community budget workshop found little fat to cut. More than 100 community members gathered at the Veterans' Memorial Center on April 7 to answer difficult questions about budget priorities. What was more important: science or math, music or English? Reduced class sizes for 10th-grade English or librarians?...." [Published September 7, 2008]

Parcel tax floated as school life preserver

"Davis, who recently retired as principal at North Davis Elementary, emphasized that the successful spring campaign by the Davis Schools Foundation was 'good for this year only' in terms of saving teachers and programs, and that Measure W is needed as a follow-through to maintain the district's existing program...." [Published on September 5, 2008]

Davis Joint Unified School District Expenditures

".... For all of the talk of fiscal mismanagement by critics of the school district .... The majority of funding goes directly into the classroom.... In other words, one can really not argue that the budget crisis for the school district was created by runaway spending.... [Published August 22, 2008]

Drumming up support

"The Davis school district's November ballot measure has a name, and two new campaign co-chairs, Janet Berry and Judy Davis...." [Published: August 5, 2008]

Trustees adopt $74M lean budget

"... Colby noted that 'the state has underfunded this rate (during) 10 out of the last 15 years ... and this year's state budget includes the assumption of no COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) for the ADA revenue. If the state continues to have a revenue shortfall in future years, we could have more reductions (and) our budget deficit would be greater' as a result...." [Published: June 19, 2008]

District changes posts to save funds

".... The Davis school board made multiple administrative changes on Thursday night, involving posts at the district office, Emerson Junior High and Pioneer Elementary...." [Published: June 3, 2008]

Big payoff for school fund drive

100 teaching jobs saved [Published: May 16, 2008]

Teachers' fates in balance

Judge to set layoff order [Published: May 4, 2008]

Pink-slipped

Davis High teachers bemoan layoff notices at color-coded luncheon [Published: March 16, 2008]

Hitting a low note

"Students, parents and teachers lined up at Thursday's school board meeting to defend music, science and school librarians from threatened budget cuts.... Then, audience members released a 90-minute outpouring of often emotional comment, urging the trustees to retain elementary band and string classes, science teachers, and elementary and junior high librarians...." [Published: February 22, 2008]

$4 million in school cuts eyed

".... The district may have to eliminate 50 to 60 full-time-equivalent positions — likely including some teachers and administrators. 'When we're talking about FTE reductions, people are losing jobs,' trustee Gina Daleiden noted...." [Published: February 8, 2008]