Now, studies show that school districts across the state use 90 percent of their lottery money for salaries and benefits even though voters thought the money would be spent on books and classroom materials. This demonstrates exactly what's wrong with education today. The education establishment is irresponsible with taxpayer money. With all the pleas for more money for children, we have yet to see educators meet taxpayers halfway and provide the public with real reforms, accountability and fiscal prudence. That represents 2 percent of a district's total budget.
Local control is great, when someone is actually in control.
But there's no excuse for spending all that money on salaries while there's a critical textbook shortage in many classrooms, including in Los Angeles Unified School District. The school districts have a responsibility to spend the money well and wisely. And when they don't follow the rules, the state must act to make them accountable. But that hasn't happened in California. Even when school districts have flagrantly violated the law and failed to detail each year how they spent the funds, as in the case at Antelope Valley Union High School District and Lancaster School District, nothing happens.