LBReport.com / Schools: Why We're Here, What We're Doing

(Feb. 14, 2011) -- Welcome to LBReport.com / Schools, a new service of LBReport.com.

LBReport.com / Schools will provide LB parents and taxpayers with an independent source of detailed, factual news affecting their schools. We do so at a time when actions by those we elect in Long Beach and Sacramento could impact our schools to an extent unimaginable until recently.

Although schools confront budget issues every year, this year LBUSD management has proposed a number of cuts which, if authorized by the School Board and ultimately implemented by management, would detrimentally impact students' classroom environment and overall school experiences.

To view LBUSD management's proposed budget cuts, scheduled to come before the Board of Education on Feb. 15 (action on certificated employees due that night, actions affecting others possible then or in coming weeks), click here.

LBUSD management says some of its proposed cuts are a "worst case" if the state legislature doesn't enact Governor Brown's proposed budget. Governor Brown has proposed to maintain current school funding if statewide voters approve extending taxes (that voters previously rejected) via a ballot measure that isn't yet written much less placed on a June special election ballot by the Assembly and state Senate.

The Governor's budget would also maintain school funding through savings generated by phasing out local Redevelopment agencies (which consume state funds to cover diverted county property taxes) and ending "Enterprise Zones" (which let businesses in some areas avoid paying certain taxes).

The Governor's Redevelopment and Enterprise Zone proposals are strongly opposed by LB City Hall (city management, Mayor Foster and the City Council, 9-0), which says it it's protecting local property tax revenues for City uses locally. Private development and business interests also want to maintain Redevelopment and Enterprise Zones, which benefit them.

In other words, LB City Hall and allied private sector economic interests oppose a proposal that the Governor says could continue funding local schools at current levels...at the same time as LBUSD management wants the School Board to authorize deep cuts to be implemented if the Governor's proposed measures aren't enacted.

This is an approaching trainwreck in slow motion. Various levels of elected officials are at the throttle, but LB parents and taxpaying homeowners ultimately have the power.

Knowledge is power. For over ten years, LBReport.com has reported LB news independently of City Hall, Sacramento and various special interests who may understandably have an interest in portraying actions in their interest as in the public's interest.

That's for you to decide. LBReport.com / Schools will strive to provide detailed information about LB school-impacting actions so you and your neighbors can decide.

Let your school friends and neighbors know about us. Email them the following link: www.LBReport.com / Schools.

And please do recommend us and tell your friends on Facebook about this new media resource.

Finally: we're actively seeking school correspondents and volunteer writers for LBReport.com / Schools. You don't have to be a journalist, but you do have to accurate and faithful to the facts (even if they don't lead where you expect). Email us at: mail@LBReport.com

Thank you for joining us. Watch us grow. Updates and further to follow.

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