Voucher Initiative

* As the presidents of the teacher associations in the Santa Clarita Valley, representing more than 2,000 teachers, we strongly urge a no vote on Proposition 38, the voucher initiative.

Teachers have joined other supporters of public education this fall in a forceful campaign to defeat this threat to our schools. This coalition includes Gov. Gray Davis, the state PTA, the California School Boards Assn., the Assn. of California School Administrators, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., California Professional Firefighters and the California Nurses Assn., to name a few.

If this ballot measure passes, almost $3 billion will be spent to support students in private or voucher schools the first year. The initiative does not provide a funding source to support this expense. We can only anticipate that either taxes will go up, or county health and safety services may be cut.

At a time when public schools are implementing a number of reforms aimed at improving student performance, the Tuesday voucher initiative would divert precious dollars to voucher schools that are not required to meet the state standards in curriculum or testing. And, like the previous voucher initiative on the ballot in 1993, it would result in discrimination since private schools can accept or reject kids on almost any basis they choose.

We’re on the right track with current reforms aimed at improving student performance. Please don’t vote to divert funds away from public education at this critical juncture in education. Vote no on Proposition 38.

CYNTHIA SEAMANDS

and SUZANNE GRAFF

Co-presidents,

Castaic Teachers Assn.

ORVAL GARRISON

President,

Hart District Teachers Assn.

JOAN OXMAN

President.

Saugus Teachers Assn.

DENISE SUDIK

and LISA KENNEDY

Co-presidents,

Newhall Teachers Assn.

JANE LEE

and JULIE WITTER

Co-presidents,

Sulphur Springs Teachers Assn.