Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1546952
SJTA Executive Board member Melissa Urbain, left, and CTA-Berryessa President Joe Hermann with SJTA President Renata Sanchez at the Prop. 3 kickoff in San Jose. San Jose Teachers Association (SJTA) PRESIDENT RENATA SANCHEZ (Funding at risk: $4.5 million) Why is Prop. 3 so important? "Losing more than $4 million in our district would be a hit for us and the services we provide for our students — it's the equivalent of 30–35 educators, which is a whole school site of people likely providing student-centered services who would be cut. There could be impacts to supplies, mental health support and social-emotional learning. It's our students who are going to suffer the most." What's at risk in your district if this funding expires? "Our early intervention reading program and other services that help students catch up to grade level could be at risk. Our district pays for school meals for every student and that could be under threat. Current funding being used to support student programs already is not enough. Failing to pass Prop. 3 would exacerbate that problem." What are you doing to ensure Prop. 3 passes? "We are hosting canvassing walks every weekend through Election Day to make sure we get the word out. We know that our voters trust teachers when it comes to deciding how to vote on issues about edu- cation, and we're excited to make connections with our parents and community. If we vote, we win, and we only lose if we don't turn out, so we have to work to ensure turnout is high." Thoughts as we push onward to victory? "Prop 3 is a no brainer — school funding is not a partisan or con- troversial issue and it affects every single one of us. Whether we're parents, we work in schools or even just as informed citizens, it's really important to make sure our schools get adequate funding so our communities can thrive. It's something we can all rally around and I hope everyone does." " Losing Prop. 3 will impact every single position in all nine families of ESP jobs — layoffs, positions left vacant, reduced hours. It's going to be bad." professional development will be cut and we won't get the crucial training we need. It will impact every single position in all nine families of ESP jobs — layoffs, positions left vacant, reduced hours. It's going to be bad." What are you doing to ensure Prop. 3 passes? "We circulated and collected com- mitment cards. We're canvassing our neighborhoods, going out and talking about Prop. 3. We're doing all our canvassing efforts together with Redlands Teachers Association to hit the most people and make sure our members and community see the importance of passing Prop. 3." Thoughts as we push onward to victory? "Prop. 3 protects school funding, which protects ESP jobs. Our students depend on us every day and our voices matter. Our ESP voices need to be very loud and we need to vote!" " School funding is not a partisan or controversial issue and it affects every single one of us. Prop. 3 is something we can all rally around and I hope everyone does." 27 F A L L 2 0 26