Burlingame schools seek money for teachers

The campaign looks to maintain and attract teachers at its six elementary schools and one middle school, and “can’t afford to not have GG pass,” said Jennifer Faber, who is leading the campaign and is also president of the Burlingame Community Education Foundation. 

“The quality of life for teachers is so important and the way they approach their day and each and every student in their class,” Faber said. “Teachers deserve to make a living wage to live in or near Burlingame.” 

The campaign follows a recent raise for teachers in the district of more than 7%, Faber said, and the increase reflects the district’s values to provide teachers with livable wages. However, to sustainably provide raises as cost of living continues to rise, more revenue is needed.

Without a significant cost of living increase from the state this fiscal year, Faber said BSD is ultimately operating on a budget that is the same as last year despite increases in costs from utilities and salaries. 

“When you’re fearful of losing your job and not feeling supported by the district for whom you work, you just cannot do your job as well as if you feel comfortable across the board,” Faber said.

Measure GG, if approved, would be a new parcel tax on top of the existing parcel tax — Measure L —passed by voters in 2014. 

The existing tax is set at a flat rate of $256 per parcel, regardless of size, and produces a little more than $2 million annually. This is set to expire in 2030, and both parcel taxes would overlap for nearly four years. 

Districts are required to demonstrate financial solvency for three years at any given time, and this overlap will allow for there to be a smooth transition of projected budgeting as the end of the decade approaches, Faber said. 

“We’re rapidly approaching the solvency cliff for Burlingame School District so we need a new parcel tax to layer on top of Measure L to make sure we get through the sunset or expiration of Measure L,” Faber said. 

The district is among the lowest in per-student funding on the Peninsula, including the current parcel tax and education foundation, Faber said. The local control of funds through Measure GG would help establish long-term financial stability of the district, which can teeter the line between state and community funded, she said. 

“This is a local parcel tax that will generate local funds that will stay local and will be very closely watched by an oversight committee required by the resolution,” Faber said. 

The revenue from the parcel tax will be used equitably across all seven schools, and Faber said the community’s support is essential.

“Without committing investment in our public schools, we’ll miss something in our town,” Faber said. “We need teachers who want to be in Burlingame, can stay in Burlingame and serve our children for our community to be successful. All benefit from a strong public school system.” 

The measure has no official opposition.