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 2000
Ballot Issues Reports
See Other Ballot Issues
Initiative 728
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Ballot Measure Title: Shall school districts reduce class
sizes, extend learning programs, expand teacher training, and construct
facilities, funded by lottery proceeds, existing property taxes, and budget
reserves?
Ballot Measure Summary: This
measure would direct that certain existing state revenue, including all
unobligated lottery revenue, be placed in a student achievement fund and in the
education construction fund. Part of the state property tax levy would be
distributed directly to school districts as student achievement funds. These
distributions would not affect the state expenditure limit. The emergency
reserve fund would be recalculated, and some of the redirected money would be
placed in the student achievement fund.
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Summary
This measure directs a portion of state property tax to a new Student
Achievement Fund for class size reduction, extended learning opportunities,
and professional development, transfers money in excess of the minimum
required for the I-601 “Rainy Day Fund” to the Student Achievement Fund to
be used for the same purposes, and dedicates state lottery revenues (which
currently go to the General Fund) to the Student Achievement Fund and to
school construction.
Main Provisions
- Would direct a portion of the state property tax to a new Student
Achievement Fund to be used for new allocations to school districts for
class size reduction, extended learning opportunities, and professional
development.
- Would transfer money in excess of the minimum required for the
"Emergency Reserve Fund" (the I-601 rainy day fund) to the new
Student Achievement Fund for class size reduction, extended learning
opportunities, and professional development in school districts. Under
current law these excess revenues would support school construction.
- Would dedicate state lottery revenues, which are currently deposited in
the state General Fund, to the new Student Achievement Fund and to school
construction.
Preliminary Estimate of Short Term Fiscal Impacts
I-728 redirects $470 million in General Fund revenue in the 2001-03 Biennium
to provide dedicated funding for education. The following tables compare
revenues in the Student Achievement Fund, the School Construction Fund, and
projected reserve funds under current law and under I-728.
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Projected Fund Balances Under Current Law* |
'99-01 Biennium |
'01-03 Biennium |
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Student Achievement Fund |
$0 million |
$0 million |
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Education Construction Fund** |
$242 million |
$367 million |
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Reserves*** |
$960 million |
$1,006 million |
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Projected Fund Balances Under I-728* |
'99-01 Biennium |
'01-03 Biennium |
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Student Achievement Fund |
$0 million |
$395 million |
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Education Construction Fund** |
$242 million |
$87 million |
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Reserves*** |
$960 million |
$878 million |
*Revenues are based on the June 2000 revenue forecast
(assuming no additional tax cuts). Spending is based on the I-601 spending
limit for FY 2001 and for the 2001-03 Biennium. No increases are assumed
for the spending limit in the 2001-03 Biennium due to program cost shifts
to the General Fund from other state or local funds.
** Figures projected for the Education Construction Fund
assume that because the Emergency Reserve Fund (ERF) is not expected to
receive additional revenues in FY 2001, that all required transfers from
the ERF to the Education Construction Fund during FY 2001 will be made
prior to January 1, 2001. It is possible, however, that the actual timing
of fund transfers will be different.
*** Includes Emergency Reserve and General Fund Balance. |
Goals Stated in Body of Initiative
- To provide funding to meet the student achievement standards of the state
education reform act of 1993.
- Achieve higher academic standards through smaller class sizes
- Appropriate money to achieve new, higher standards of academic learning
- Allow school districts to select from “menu” of strategies**
(flexibility and local control) and to report back annually on progress in
student achievement (accountability)
**“Menu” of strategies
- Major reductions in K-4 class size;
- Selected class size reductions in grades 5-12, such as small high school
writing classes;
- Extended learning opportunities for students who need or want additional
time in school;
- Investments in educators and their professional development
- Early assistance for children who need pre-kindergarten support in order
to be successful in school; and
- Providing improvements or additions to facilities to support class size
reductions and extended learning opportunities.
Arguments For and Against
For
- STATEWIDE EQUITY - strategies would apply equally to all students
regardless of property values of areas/districts
- RELIEVES LEVY STRESS - though district levies could still be on the
ballot, this measure ENSURES funding for all districts, whether or not they
are able to pass levies
- IMPETUS? - Smaller class sizes will exacerbate problem of teacher
availability. If it passes, perhaps it would spur legislative action.
- JOB QUALITY - Although not addressing teacher salaries, the effect of the
initiative would be to improve the teaching situation and “quality of job
life” for teachers.
Against
- METHOD - the great need of Public Education in the state demands a more
comprehensive, legislative response.
- STRATEGY - With smaller class sizes, this legislation will exacerbate the
problem of finding and keeping enough quality teachers in the long term.
- ADVISABILITY - Will the legislature assume NO responsibility for school
funding?
- GOAL - This initiative does not even address the desperate need to
increase salaries for teachers.
Recommendation
The board was not able to reach the 2/3 majority vote necessary to take a position
on this issue.
For more information
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