On the most practical level, Measure M will result in a unified school calendar, allowing students in the elementary and high school grades to have the same holidays. Beyond that, a unified school district will facilitate a coordinated K-12 curriculum, allow for integrated technology, streamline costs and maximize resources, thereby enhancing the educational opportunities for all Santa Paula schoolchildren. It creates no new taxes or fees.
Discussed on and off for decades, unification finally got traction in 2009 when a Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce committee studied the issue and took it to the Santa Paula City Council. In February 2010, the City Council requested that the Ventura County Committee on School District Reorganization consider it. That committee granted the City Council’s request, leading to a series of public meetings on the issue. At a public hearing in Sacramento earlier this year, several Santa Paulans testified on the benefits of unification and the California State Board of Education unanimously approved the proposal go before Santa Paula voters.
The few arguments against unification are extremely weak, advocating for the status quo. Santa Paula can’t afford to stand in place. The improvements Santa Paulans demand for educating the children in our community can best be accomplished by everyone working together on the same page. Continuing on the same path we are on will lead us to the same results. Santa Paula can no longer afford wasteful duplication of spending on education administration. Santa Paula children can only benefit from spending more of our limited education dollars in the classroom.
This unification proposal -- in the works for three years -- is well-thought-out and could not come at a more opportune time.
Santa Paula needs a unified school district. A yes vote on Measure M is a vote to improve education in Santa Paula and create more opportunities for all our young people.
