Feeling Graton by Jennifer Butler — February 2020

GREETINGS GRATON

There is just so much going on these days. Its as if the world really has gone mad. If I read or listen to the news, I can almost guarantee, I start to get some gnawing anxiety. I don’t know how the younger generation can process so much overwhelming information. I encourage us all to remember to take breaks from the madness. Get some time away from your electronic devices and instead maybe take a walk and watch the first flowers bloom. I promise you won’t miss anything. All the craziness will be right there when you plug back in.

GRATON’S GOT TALENT!

Graton Talent Show and Share

When: Sunday February 16 Doors open at 3:30 show starts at 4:00-6:00pm

Where: Graton Community Club

What: A time for us Graton folks to come share their talents. Anything goes, as long as it is family friendly: dance, sign, poetry, joke telling, sharing fun facts, sharing your paintings or sculptures, all talents wanted. All ages are welcome.

We will have a popcorn machine and invite neighbors to bring a potluck appetizer and/or drink to share. Please bring your own glasses, dishwasher, let's make this a zero-waste event.

ITS NOT TOO LATE TO AND SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT (KIDS TOO)

Please sign up at stephanie@holymonkey.com or call 530-354-1646. We are asking for Talent shares to be no longer than 5 minutes.

UNDERSTANDING THE NEW PROP 13

Proposition 13: Californians for Safe Schools and Healthy Learning (March 3, 2020)

On October 7, 2019, Governor Newsom signed AB 48 (O’Donnell and Glazer), which placed a $15 billion state school facilities bond on the March 3, 2020 statewide primary election. The Secretary of State assigned the heavily supported initiative by state officials, educators and administrators, and education organizations with the ballot number Proposition 13.

According to the recent Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) statewide survey, 53 percent of likely voters support a statewide measure to authorize bonds for construction and modernization of public school facilities, with 36 percent opposing it and 10 percent as undecided. Our schools desperately need your vote to get this much needed bond passed.

Here is how the bond will be disbursed

K-12 Programs

• New construction: $2.8 billion, with up to 10 percent set aside for small school districts

• Modernization: $5.2 billion, with up to 10 percent set aside for small school districts and $150 million earmarked for lead in water projects

• K-12 Career Technical Education: $500 million

• Charter Schools: $500 million

Higher Education

• California Community Colleges: $2 billion

• California State University: $2 billion

• University of California: $2 billion

Grant Amounts

• New Construction projects: Increases the state grant amount sliding scale basis, from 50% to 55% (New state match 55% and local match 45%).

• Modernization projects: Increases the state grant amount sliding scale basis, from 60% to 65% (New state match 65% and local match 35%).

o For both modernization and new construction projects, the grants will be based on a districts ability to generate local funds and the percentage of low income, foster care, and English learner students.

Prioritization

• Establishes four cycles annually for review of applications.

• Prioritizes health and safety applications, such as projects addressing mold, asbestos, seismic safety, and lead in water, in the review process.

• Establishes a separate funding program to enable school districts to test and remediate lead in drinking water outlets.

• Allows school districts to demolish and construct a building on an existing school site, if the following conditions are met:

1. The building or buildings to be replaced are at least 50 years old.

2. The school district provides to the department a cost-benefit analysis that indicates the total cost to modernize the building or buildings is at least 50 percent of the current replacement cost of the building or buildings. The cost-benefit analysis may include applicable site development costs.

Establishes a process to assist small school districts in applying for funds and access of those funds. In the past large school districts with more staff have been able to apply and receive the majority of the bond.

LOCAL SCHOOL BONDS

Depending on where you live there may be a local school district bond on the ballot as well. THESE ALSO NEED YOUR VOTE. Even with Prop 13 our local districts need more than the share they might receive from Prop 13. If you have a local school bond where you live,

PLEASE VOTE YES

Here are some statistics for California public schools that demonstrate why both your local district bond needs to pass and Prop 13

Please let me know if there is something that you would like me to know or write about. You can reach me butlersjennifer@gmail.com