After an extended strike by teachers with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), voters on June 4 will decide on Measure EE, a ballot proposal designed to better monitor teacher qualifications, address class size reduction, and heighten security measures on district campuses.
Proponents say approval of the measure is needed to help neighborhood schools retain and attract quality teachers, counselors, school nurses, librarians and various support staff. In noting that California ranks 44th in the nation in per-pupil funding, those in favor of passage said Measure EE will bring the needed resources the district needs to better educate its students, particularly in the subjects of math and reading.
A “yes” vote, according to supporters, will mean more investment (roughly $500,000,000 annually for 12 years) in academic programs such as language arts, math, science, technology, the arts, vocational and career training, as well as pre-school instruction. Annual audits are required with passage.
Among those endorsing Measure EE are Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Dianne F. Harrison, president of Cal State Northridge, and Andre Spicer, past president of the Council of Black Administrators and director of the LAUSD division of instruction.
Opponents claim that Measure EE is a parcel tax—essentially defeating the purpose of Proposition 13—and that it is unlikely to pass judging on a history of low voter turnout during special elections.
The opposition states that the measure would not change the direction of the LAUSD in terms of student academic outcome and would not guarantee that the tax dollars will be spent in the classroom.
