Speaking to an audience of students, teachers, and Shoreline School District trustees last week at Tomales High, Assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni vowed to keep pushing for state funding to reduce class sizes in public schools.
"We're at a turning point. The economy is good, so there's more money for the schools and students of California," said Mazzoni who last week was appointed chair of the Assembly's Education Committee.
Mazzoni has been a strong advocate for the class-size reduction program, which gives public schools $650 per student in every kindergarten through third-grade class that is reduced to 20 or fewer students. However, some West Marin educators say that's not enough.
Mazzoni said that when the state Legislature reconvenes in January, she intends to press for greater funding and for expanding the program to grades four through 12.
On the first day of the next legislative session, the assemblywoman added, she will introduce a bill that would appropriate an additional $1 billion for schools to build or renovate classrooms.
From her new post, Mazzoni said, "I can now work amendments into bills, I can shape the bills, and I can decide when they'll be heard. Members of my party will probably go along with my vote."
She encouraged West Marin residents to "give me feedback. A lot of what I'll do depends on what you say." Mazzoni can be reached in Sacramento at (916) 445-7783, and in San Rafael at 479-4920.