APLUS

Updated Campaign News!

APlus — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:20:57 +0000

While we were all disappointed that Measure E did not pass in June, we do have exciting news to share.

On June 29th, the Board of Education directed AUSD to look at the feasibility of putting another parcel tax on the ballot some time next spring. It will take the staff several months to complete that work. In the meantime, APLUS volunteers are brainstorming how to structure and run that next campaign — as well as actively fundraising to make sure the campaign starts on solid financial footing later this fall. We firmly believe that a tax is the only way to replace the millions of dollars in state funding that AUSD has lost over the past three years and does not expect to recover from Sacramento in the near future.

As such, both APLUS and the Alameda Education Foundation have identified the next parcel tax campaign as the top funding priority for this coming year.

Please consider making a donation to the campaign today to help us get our campaign started.

FAQ

Q: I want to donate my $350 tax payment to local education, but I want it go where it will do the most good. Where would that be?

A: Both the Alameda Education Foundation and APLUS recommend that residents donate their $350 parcel tax payment to APLUS. A parcel tax is the only way to ensure long-term and sufficient funding for our schools and should be the top funding priority for AUSD at this time. But a new campaign cannot be run without sufficient funds.

Q: What will the next parcel tax look like?

A: We don’t yet know the rate or structure of the next parcel tax. That will need to be determined by continued dialogue between the district and the community.

Q: When will the election be?

A: It will be sometime next spring. Stay tuned for details!

Updated Campaign News! is a post from: APLUS

Judge Rules Measure H Parcel Tax Structure Is Legal

APlus — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:06:28 +0000

Alameda, Calif. – Thursday, June 3, 2010 – Judge Kenneth Mark Burr of the Alameda County Superior Court has ruled decisively and definitively for AUSD in the lawsuit over Measure H. In his Statement of Decision resolving the case, Judge Burr rejected all of the plaintiffs’ claims and found that the structure of Measure H is uniformly applied and legal under state law.

Plaintiffs in the Beery et al v. Alameda Unified School District and Borikas et al v. Alameda Unified School District cases had sought to overturn Measure H, the parcel tax supporting Alameda schools that was passed by 66.9% of Alameda voters in June 2008.

In his ruling Judge Burr concluded the parcel tax imposed by Measure H is uniform and legal. “The Court rules that Measure H comports with the requirements of Government Code section 50079 and the California Constitution. Accordingly, judgment for the District shall be entered.”

“I am thrilled with Judge Burr’s decision”, stated Superintendent Kirsten Vital. “His ruling is a victory for the students and the entire Alameda community who support and are proud of our quality schools.”

“This ruling is so important in light of the devastating state budget cuts that AUSD is facing,” continued Superintendent Vital. “Local funding through Measure H has protected the programs, teachers, and small class sizes we depend on.”

This ruling is also significant in that Judge Burr’s analysis confirms that the structure of Measure E is also legal. Measure E is the replacement parcel tax that is being considered by voters in an all-mail election running from late May through June 22nd. Measure E has the same structure as Measure H. If passed by voters this month, Measure E will immediately replace Measures A and H and provide a secure local funding source for eight years.

Seniors and those who receive supplemental security income for a disability are eligible for an exemption from the parcel tax for a parcel comprised of residential real property that is their primary residence in Alameda. If a person currently claims an exemption under Measures A and H, and Measure E passes, that person will be automatically exempted from Measure E.

Judge Rules Measure H Parcel Tax Structure Is Legal is a post from: APLUS

Yes on Measure E Video hits the air

APlus — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:20:12 +0000

Alameda volunteers come together to film Yes on E video. Check out their great spot.

100% Grassroots!

Yes on Measure E Video hits the air is a post from: APLUS

GOTV Time

APlus — Sat, 29 May 2010 18:58:16 +0000

No, this is not a new television channel. It is time to Get Out The Vote or GOTV. We have done the hard work of calling, walking and talking with our friends and neighbors to determine their support for Measure E. Now we need to make sure they get their ballot of support in the mail.

The ballot needs to be received by the Registrar of Voters by June 22nd, so we encourage everyone to mail their ballots now but no later than Friday, June 18th.

GOTV Time is a post from: APLUS

APLUS Supports Efforts to Secure Stable Funding

APlus — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:12:38 +0000

Measure E will provide the bridge while the constitutional challenge works its way through the courts.

APLUS, the committee in support of Measure E, announced its support of the AUSD announcement today, that along with eight other school districts and three major education groups, it is suing the state of California for failing to fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide a good education to all California children.

This announcement, which came nearly three years after AUSD employees began voluntarily working on legal strategies to correct inequities in the the state’s public education financing system, is an exciting next step in challenging the way California governs and finances public education.

Like the pivotal Serrano v. Priest case, however, which addressed fundamental inequities in the state’s financing of school districts, this legal battle is likely to last for close to a decade, making the passage of Measure E even more pressing. “Alamedans have been asking AUSD to tackle state issues, and today they announced a big step forward,” said APLUS Chair, Carla Greathouse, “But with such a long timeline for success, it’s incredibly important for Alameda to support Measure E and our schools.”

Greathouse stressed that it would be a tragedy to sacrifice a generation of kids’ education waiting for this litigation to wend its way through the courts. “Children entering kindergarten this year will be close to graduating from high school before this is over.” Others were ebullient about the district’s ability to tackle such a complex strategy while their budgets continue to shrink. “

The district’s legal representation is being donated pro bono,” says John Knox White, a volunteer with APLUS, “The fact that AUSD is a part of a historic lawsuit that will be tackling long-term funding issues this way is yet another example of the fiscally responsible way that this district is managing its tight resources.”

APLUS Supports Efforts to Secure Stable Funding is a post from: APLUS

May 22nd Rally

APlus — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:37:21 +0000

On Saturday, May 22nd at 2pm, there will be a rally for Measure E at 2200 Central Ave. Join us as we kickoff the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) phase of the campaign.

May 22nd Rally is a post from: APLUS

Alameda School House Rock! – Measure E Fundraiser

APlus — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:25:19 +0000

Alameda School House Rock!

On May 15th, APLUS will host this Measure E fundraiser at Rhythmix Cultural Works. Tickets can be purchased here. All proceeds go to benefit APLUS.

Alameda School House Rock! – Measure E Fundraiser is a post from: APLUS

Fine Art Sale for Measure E

APlus — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:32:49 +0000

Fine Art Sale

Purchase amazing art by local artists at extremely discounted prices.

AUTOBODY FINE ART GALLERY
Sunday, April 25th
4-7PM
1517 Park St. Alameda, CA

Art donated by:
Anne Kohler Photography
Peter Tonningsen
Mark Wagner
Ginny Parsons
Lauren Rosenbaum
Many more!!!

All proceeds benefit the APLUS campaign

Fine Art Sale for Measure E is a post from: APLUS

Phonebanking Starts Monday, April 5th

APlus — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:41:41 +0000

Phonebanking starts this week. It runs Monday to Thursday from 6-8pm.

WE NEED YOU!!! Set yourself a goal, phonebank once per week.

If you have not done this before you will receive training before you start.

Address: Harbor Bay Realty,
885 Island Drive (Safeway shopping center, in the back)
Alameda 94502.

Phonebanking Starts Monday, April 5th is a post from: APLUS

86 Days and Counting

APlus — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:08:39 +0000

The kickoff event for the campaign was a tremendous success with over 200 people in attendance! Carla Greathouse, APLUS Committee Chair and School Board President Ron Mooney gave an overview of Measure E and attendees signed up to help get the word out. On hand to lend their support were Alice Lai Bitker, Alameda County Supervisor, Mayor Beverly Johnson, City Council members Frank Matarrese and Lena Tam, former City Council member Tony Daysog and School Board members Tracy Jensen and Mike McMahon.

Do Your Part

You can participate in a number of ways. We need volunteers who will talk to voters in their own neighborhoods and volunteers who will join us for phone banks or weekend canvassing across Alameda. Person-to-person contact is critical in an election where a 2/3 YES vote is required for passage.

See our phone bank schedule if you are interested in weeknight phone banking, and stay tuned for an announcement on weekend canvassing and phone banking locations and schedules.

If you are interested in talking to voters in your own neighborhood, please contact Sarah Olaes at volunteer@alamedaschools.org

Urgent! Please consider making a contribution to APLUS today! Any amount will help us cover the costs associated with running a campaign. You can make a contribution here.

Future Events

On Wednesday, March. 31st at 6pm in the basement of 2329 Santa Clara, APLUS will be conducting another volunteer training session.

Starting Monday, April 5th Harbor Bay Realty, 885 Island Drive (Safeway shopping center, in the back) has graciously donated office space and phones for phone banking. Phone banking sessions will run from 6 to 8pm, Monday through Thursday all way up to Monday night June 21st.

Stay tuned for weekend phone banking and canvassing dates! As soon as we have the locations and hours confirmed, we’ll update the calendar.

86 Days and Counting is a post from: APLUS