Our children in Hollister are not getting the education they deserve. The recent results published by the Free Lance highlight a fundamental problem in education in both San Benito County and California: not enough money being spent at the school level. In the most recent data available where we can look at money schools actually received compared to the total amount allocated by the state for K-12 education, one can see the amount taken away from the classrooms in San Benito County by the bureaucracy in Sacramento and other educational offices.
In 2014, the state set aside (took from our paychecks) $11,289 per student. But on average, the four largest school districts in San Benito County that consistently rely on the average daily attendance funding formula (Hollister Elementary, San Benito High School, North County Joint Union, Southside) only received $7,991 per student, a difference of $3,298 per student per year. Where do those funds go?
The $3,289 per student go to bureaucrats who sit in offices and not to teachers in the classroom, those who manage safe and enriching environments for the students, and those that could be helping kids with homework and directing more after-school programs.
As important as we make education in California (it consumes about 50% of our total budget–$53.1 billion from the general fund), we are failing our kids because of the waste. We in California should take the lead in the nation and dramatically reduce the California Department of Education and use those funds to pay actual educators to spend more time teaching in schools.
What has happened is that society and culture have changed. With too many households without parents that are present after school, the kids are not getting help with their homework or able to be involved in school-led extracurricular activities. The kids who have ultra-involved parents do great, but everyone else does not get the same experience. It shows in the test results and other measurements, like teen drug use, crime, and low employability. In today’s environment, having kids on a school campus more hours and more days would lead to far superior educational and societal outcomes. With more pay, teaching will be a more attractive profession and we will able to hire more high-quality teachers.
Amazingly, the California Teachers Association does not seem to be interested in getting more teachers and educators more paid days, hours, and pay, having rebuffed my efforts to work together to make this happen. For sure, they are distracted by a landmark decision in a case known as Vergara vs. California that tossed out five state statutes providing job protections to teachers, pending appeal. If the decision holds up, it could be a whole new ballgame in education. One would think the CTA would want to work hard now to create a better education system before they lose the power they currently enjoy. Another California case in front of the United States Supreme Court (Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association) threatens to make paying union dues optional. If the CTA loses, it will also severely diminish their power.
Our kids cannot wait for court case outcomes, appeals, and time-consuming confusion that would for-sure occur. If union bosses are not willing to help themselves by working towards better schools, then it is time to take matter into our own hands. I would much rather they be part of the solution, so if you know any union bosses, get them on board!
Your readers, the voters, have to rise up and take action if they care about the education of kids in San Benito County. They need to elect legislators that are willing to do the right thing (shut down anything labeled “office of education”, divert those funds to the classroom and have the kids with educators for more time during the day and year). Only then you will see significant improvements in the schools in San Benito County and California.
Robert E. Bernosky is Regional Vice Chairman for the Central Coast California GOP.
