November 13, 2007
LOS ANGELES - Members of the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) overwhelmingly voted to endorse Proposition 92, the Community College Initiative set for the February 2008 statewide ballot.
“As teachers we care about our students and hope to see them continue their pursuit of higher education after they graduate,” said high school teacher Josh Pechthalt, Vice President of United Teachers Los Angeles. “According to the Legislative Analysts Office, Proposition 92 would not change how much is spent on K-14 education, but would ensure a baseline of support for community colleges. Community colleges present the best, and some times only, option for many graduating high school students and we want to ensure they remain an affordable, accessible option. By supporting Proposition 92 we are giving every Californian the chance to go to college”
United Teachers Los Angeles represents 45,000 teachers and health and human services personnel in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The members are affiliated with the California Teachers Association (CTA), the National Education Association (NEA), the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.
California Community Colleges prepare students for four-year colleges, increase community economic development and provide instruction in basic skills for those who lack them.
Proposition 92 will open doors for more Californians by lowering community colleges fees to $15 per unit. It also limits the rise in future fees to the cost of living, and requires that students be notified before fees rise - no more mid-year surprises for students. It provides stable funding for California community colleges and it guarantees that the community college system is independent from state politics.
United Teachers Los Angeles joins a broad coalition of organizations, community college leaders, advocates, local trustees and students including the California Labor Federation, California State Council of Laborers, California Federation of Teachers, the Community College League of California, the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, the California School Employees Association and the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild - in support of Proposition 92.
For more information on Proposition 92, please visit www.Prop92Yes.com.
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Tel 916-444-8897 | www.Prop92Yes.com
YES ON PROPOSITION 92 – Californians for Improving Community Colleges, a coalition of educators and community college organizations with major funding by the California Federation of Teachers Prop/Ballot Committee, the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild and the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.