The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Schools and Local Public Safety and Protection Act of 2012 at its May Board meeting. The Act proposes a ballot initiative that temporarily increases income taxes on California’s high-income earners and increases the sales tax by a quarter cent for four years, which would produce state revenue to prevent additional cuts to education and other public services. The tax measure is expected to generate approximately $9 billion per year for schools K-12 through community colleges and public safety at the local level.

In the past three years, public education funding has been cut by over $20 million from the statewide public education budget, and schools are bracing for more cuts. Education funding cuts force educational institutions to reduce course offerings for students, increase class sizes, and reduce services, resulting in a loss of access for Ventura County students to the education they need and deserve. Should the tax initiative fail, public education will be challenged with another $5 billion in additional budget cuts next year.

The Board of Trustees is working with interested parties within the community and around the state to advocate on behalf of the Act to alleviate the negative impact on educational programs and services for students. The Board has provided copies of its resolution to Governor Brown and state legislators. The resolution is posted at www.vcccd.edu under District-wide News, or a copy can be provided by calling 805.652.5504.