Local school districts are joining the list of districts statewide willing to shell out money to fund a lawsuit against Gov. Gray Davis.
About 20 districts have contributed $1,000 each to fund the cost of initial legal fees claiming Davis' proposed state budget is unconstitutional.
Facing a declining economy and the need to pass a balanced budget, Davis drafted a budget that takes money away from the wealthier basic aid school districts to fund other state programs.
The lawsuit contests that because basic aid school districts depend on local tax dollars, taking that money away would violate amendments to the state constitution, said Callan.
"We're going to fight this on all grounds possible, including legal," said Mary Frances Callan, Superintendent of Palo Alto Unified School District.
Palo Alto Unified School District is leading the legal crusade and Callan says the number of districts joining the group is growing rapidly. There are 60 basic aid districts statewide -- 20 of which have contributed money and many more are expected to join.
San Mateo Union High School District signed on earlier this week and Belmont Redwood-Shores Elementary School District will vote tonight to decide if it should join the group. Other school districts that are expected to contribute money are Sequoia Union High School District, Hillsborough City School District and Millbrae Elementary.
"We're hoping it will call attention to the Governor's plan," said Bob Arnold, San Mateo Union High School District's associate superintendent.
Though legal fees could skyrocket if the lawsuit is actually filed and challenged, district officials aren't worried.
Parents are writing Gov. Davis 100,000 letters a day and are willing to put their money where their mouths are -- or at least volunteer their time, said Callan. Many parents in the Palo Alto Unified School District are attorneys willing to help out with the lawsuit. Other parents have even mentioned filing lawsuits of their own.
"If this budget goes through you could see individuals and communities filing the same kind of lawsuits," said Callan.
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