Over the past five years, the state budget crisis has forced the Mt. Diablo Unified School District to cut close to $30 million dollars from its budget, $16 million already this year…and there may be more to come. The Emergency Spending Plan signed by the Governor in February 2009 required reductions of $8.1 million more through 2011 from our local classrooms before March 15, 2009.

It may get worse. The state has already announced that the budget it just adopted is $8 billion short.  In addition, the failure of any one of five ballot items (placed on the ballot by the state government to balance the budget) on the May 19th statewide election will further reduce the MDUSD budget.  In addition, any subsequent change in the budget resulting from the Governor's May Budget Revision could further reduce the MDUSD budget.

It is time to take matters into our own hands!  We know many of you already make a major difference by volunteering your time or contributing to fundraisers at your local schools, but we believe that more will be needed long term to ensure that our children continue to receive an excellent education in our community.

Local Funding Measure Would Support

High-Quality Instruction and Student Success

In order to maintain and improve the high-quality education in our local schools and prevent further budget cuts that will affect programs and teachers, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board of Education is considering placing an education funding measure before voters that would:

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      Maintain and restore existing district programs and services to ensure all students continue to receive a quality education including reading, writing, math and science.
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      Attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff
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      Maintain vital college and workforce preparation programs to prepare students for the 21stcentury
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      Support after school programs to help students with reading, writing, math and other activities
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      Enhance classroom technology
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      Provide a well-rounded curriculum including arts and music
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      Provide additional training to staff, including K-12 teachers and paraprofessionals;
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      Expand and enhance the Teacher Support Program and increase teacher support and accountability;
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      Maintain reduced class sizes for kindergarten through third grade and 9th grade; and
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      Maintain school librarians

Measure D will assure we could continue to provide our children a well-rounded curriculum that is essential to building a strong academic foundation.  Measure D is a $99 per year parcel—that is $8.25 per month or $1.91 a week.  This measure would provide a stable source of funding for our local schools during this time of budgetary turmoil.

Accountable to Taxpayers

All funds from the Measure D would be used here in our local elementary, middle and high schools to support student achievement and build a strong academic foundation for our children.  The state could not take a single dime.

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      Independent citizen oversight and mandatory annual audits would ensure funds are spent as promised
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      No funds could be spent on central office administrator salaries
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      The measure would expire in 5 years and could not be renewed without voter approval
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      An exemption would be available for seniors