Well, not only was I interested in the issue, but I had to clear up a misunderstanding. In the week prior, Sen. Knight was deluged with calls, letters, e-mails and faxes urging him to take action on these issues. Apparently, at one of the previous meetings, information was disseminated claiming that Santa Clarita's state representatives were somehow responsible for the boundary changes. While the state Legislature clearly impacts public education, the issue of boundaries is not within its jurisdiction and certainly should never be. The issue of education is a complex and passionate one.
Nothing generates more emotion than our children and their education.
Every year the state Legislature fights over numerous education bills and education policy. One issue that cannot be fought over is the amount of funding allocated. Proposition 98 mandates that 40 percent of the state budget must be spent on public education. How it is spent is where the debate occurs. 98 was well-intentioned, but it can present some problems.