Proposition 3

Protecting the Future of Public Education in Porterville

The Porterville Educators Association (PEA) believes our entire community—parents, families, educators, classified employees, and community members—should understand what could be at stake for Porterville Unified School District if Proposition 3 does not pass. PUSD’s projected total revenue for 2026–27 is approximately $291.98 million. Of that amount, approximately $58.5 million has been identified as funding potentially at risk in the future—roughly 20%, or about 1 out of every 5 dollars, of the district’s projected annual revenue.

Why Does This Matter Now?

The potential impact would not occur immediately. Current higher state income tax rates on very high-income earners remain in effect through 2030. If Proposition 3 fails, those rates are scheduled to expire beginning in 2031, potentially reducing future state revenue available to support California public schools. However, school districts must plan their budgets years in advance. If future revenues are projected to decline, districts may need to begin making difficult decisions involving staffing, hiring, programs, services, and spending well before 2031. For PUSD, significant reductions in state funding could eventually affect the programs and people our students depend on every day, including teachers, counselors, classified employees, academic programs, student services, extracurricular opportunities, and class sizes.

We Have Seen the Impact of Funding Cuts Before

Our community has experienced a major education funding crisis before. During the Great Recession, California experienced significant reductions in education funding. In PUSD, the 2009 budget crisis resulted in furlough days, a reduction of the school year to 175 days, reductions in employee compensation, and layoffs affecting less-senior certificated and classified employees. In 2012, California voters approved Proposition 30, which provided additional state revenue and helped stabilize funding for public education. That history reminds us that decisions about state education funding eventually reach our local classrooms, schools, employees, students, and families.

This Is About Our Entire Community

Strong public schools benefit everyone. When schools have stable funding, districts are better positioned to recruit and retain qualified educators and support staff, maintain reasonable class sizes, provide academic and student-support programs, and give students the resources they need to succeed. When funding declines significantly, difficult decisions may follow. That is why this issue is not only about teachers or school employees. It is about the future of public education in Porterville and the opportunities we can provide to the next generation of students.

Join PEA on September 20

PEA, in partnership with UniServ, will organize a special Proposition 3 community canvassing event beginning at the PEA Office on September 20. After gathering at the PEA Office, volunteers will go door-to-door to speak with voters and share information about Proposition 3 and its potential impact on public education. We invite certificated employees, classified employees, parents, families, and members of our community to participate. Additional information about the September 20 event will be provided soon.

PEA Supports YES on Proposition 3

PEA supports YES on Proposition 3 because we believe protecting long-term education funding means protecting our students, our schools, our employees, and our community. We have seen what major funding reductions can do to public education. We should not wait until 2031 to begin thinking about the future.

Our students. Our schools. Our community. Our future.

Porterville Educators Association