The final adoption of a 2008-09 State Budget provides additional evidence to underscore the need for Measure W and its endorsement by the Yolo County Taxpayers Association. California's continued underfunding of K-12 education makes passage of Measure W a necessity in order to "keep the good things we have" for our Davis students.

As has been the case in 10 of the last 15 years, the state budget just signed by our Governor fails to provide California schools the basic funding adjustment called for in state law to meet increases in fixed costs such as mandated educational services to children with disabilities, health care for employees, utilities and fuel. In 2008-09 this funding deficit amounts to $2.8 billion for all California schools and just under $2.5 million for the children served in our Davis schools.

This pattern of neglect by our state has resulted in a level of funding for our schools that is simply not adequate to provide the programs and services we demand for our children. According to the most current data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Labor Statistics, California schools spend $1,055 less per student than the national average. This means that our Davis schools currently receive $9.1 million annually less than the national average. What does this say about our commitment to our children and their education?

In September 2007, Stanford University researchers concluded that despite higher costs than almost all other states, California schools are funded 30 percent below the national average and a staggering $5,500 PER STUDENT below schools in New York State. The result is that California schools have the highest student-to-staff ratios (teachers and administrators) in the United States. We can do better.

While Measure W will not bring Davis schools to the national average, this modest proposal will at least allow our schools to protect several core instructional programs that help our school district arguably be one of the finest in our region, if not the entire state. Moreover, 100% of Measure W funding will go to programs and services for our children. Please show your support for high quality Music, Science, English, Math and Library programs for our students. Please vote YES on MEASURE W.

~Michael Hulsizer