Delegate Assembly sets course, elects officers
Published: January 1, 2008
CSBA’s Delegate Assembly has voted to oppose a voter initiative sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association that would limit public agencies’ ability to use their powers of eminent domain to acquire private property; the delegates also voted to take no position on a competing measure sponsored by the League of California Cities.
During their semiannual meeting Nov. 28–29 in San Diego, CSBA Delegates also elected officers, reviewed the association’s legislative and public policy priorities and heard reports from CSBA officers and staff on issues important to school board members—including the delayed reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the state budget shortfall and CSBA’s Learn More California school finance advocacy project being conducted jointly with the Association of California School Administrators.
The Delegate Assembly, which is CSBA’s elected policy-making body, voted on the eminent domain measures after considering presentations from proponents of each initiative, both of whom asked for CSBA’s endorsement.
“CSBA opposes the Jarvis initiative because of its potentially negative impact on the ability of school districts and county offices of education to use eminent domain to acquire property for school facilities,” said CSBA President Paul H. Chatman. “We took no position on the League of California Cities’ initiative because it would have no effect on the ability of education agencies to use eminent domain.”
Proponents of both measures have submitted signatures on petitions to place the initiatives on the June 2008 ballot, but neither has qualified yet.
Policy principles and other issues
Delegates also endorsed a detailed list of policy principles for public school finance reform to guide CSBA leaders in negotiations with state lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The principles were the result of extensive brainstorming at the assembly’s May 2007 meeting. They include calls for tenure reform, a statewide student data system, an end to unfunded mandates, and predictable, flexible and adequate education funding.
In addition, delegates heard a number of reports about crucial CSBA initiatives:
- Dan Walden, CSBA director for Single District Services, reported that 99 California school districts and county offices of education in Program Improvement face a range of corrective actions for failing to make adequate yearly progress for three years under NCLB. He said CSBA has services available to help.
- Richard Hamilton, director of CSBA’s Education Legal Alliance, updated Delegates on Alliance lawsuits challenging the state Board of Education’s approval of a statewide benefit charter and the Commission on State Mandates’ refusal to reimburse districts for the costs of complying with state mandates.
- Kerry Clegg, chair of CSBA’s Construction Management Task Force, reported that the panel has compiled extensive online resources, including policy briefs and fact sheets to help districts build and maintain quality school facilities.
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