Oakland parents and education supporters intend to bypass Sacramento and take charge of Oakland’s struggling education system to ensure the Oakland Student Achievement, Support and Safety Measure - got on the November ballot.

“We can’t rely on Sacramento. They’ve failed us year after year; petitioning them is disappointing," said Peter Fiske, a Rockridge parent of two school age children and advocate of Measure L. "Oakland is taking charge of its own destiny and funding its school sites.”

The measure - Measure L - has a growing list of supporters including Oakland Unified board members, principals, teachers, parents and community organizations and leaders. Fiske said now that it’s on the ballot; core supporters will promote it on Facebook and by word of mouth.

The first Measure L kick-off rally takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 25, at Sequoia Elementary School, 3730 Lincoln Ave. Guest speakers will include Superintendent Tony Smith.

Due to state budget cuts, Oakland Unified School District had to eliminate $122 million dollars from the 2010-11 school year budget.

Measure L attempts to reform the devastating financial consequences the passing of Proposition 13 in 1978 wrought. Prop. 13 strove to protect California homeowners from unpredictable parcel tax increases due to wildly increasing property values. One effect of the newly low parcel taxes was severely reduced education and law enforcement funding; both budgets had been heavily supported by parcel taxes.

Measure L asks Oakland voters to consent to an annual tax of $195 per parcel for 10 years. Funds will be used exclusively to retain effective teachers by offering competitive salaries, fund development to improve teachers’ performance and retain student support staff such as teacher aides, child development staff, learning specialists, counselors and psychologists.

According to Great Oakland Public Schools, if Measure L is passed it will generate $20 million each year, for 10 years. It includes exemptions for low income taxpayers and state money received cannot be seized by Sacramento.

Measure L funds will sidestep Oakland Unified School District; money will be funneled directly to each Oakland public and charter school. The measure includes a citizen oversight committee, public expenditure reports and guaranteed annual independent audits.

Fiske emphasized collected funds won’t be used for blanket raises for all teachers, but for retaining the best and developing the most promising.

He admitted the biggest obstacle to pass Measure L is that it needs a two-thirds majority of votes, which is a provision of Proposition 13.

Fiske said even in a city like Oakland that supports education, it’s difficult to pass a parcel tax as most people hear, “wow, another tax.”

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