NO on N: Poorly Conceived Parcel Tax for Oakland Schools

You know there's something behind the story when the teacher's union opposes a tax that would provide more funding for schools. There definitely is.

Oakland schools need help, no question about it. But not this kind of help. This is an initiative put on the ballot by the state folks who are currently running Oakland schools, with little consultation with school officials in Oakland. Apparently it was rushed on the ballot, which is why there's no opposing argument.

Measure N would raise the parcel tax by $120/year (a lot to ask for!) and use the money to raise teacher salaries and support charter schools. But the measure is not clear about how they'd choose how much money to which charter schools. And the teacher's union says they don't want the raise (first time I've ever heard that). Here are some articles for more info:

• "Parcel tax for Oakland school teachers faces intense opposition," Contra Costa Times, 10/6/2008.
• "Oakland voters should reject the flawed Measure N," editorial in Oakland Tribune and other MediaNews papers, 10/20/2008.
• Smartvoter.org background info
  

I don't vote in Oakland, so take this recommendation with that grain of salt. But I'd recommend you vote No on N.