The current system for funding schools was developed over 30 years ago and has been modified slightly over the years. However, the system is very complicated, so much so that very few people can explain exactly how it works. It also funds districts differently. Some districts receive thousands of dollars more per student than others, regardless of the student populations that they are serving. Often, districts serving students with the greatest needs receive the least funding. Last year’s state adequacy studies and this year’s Governor’s Task Force on Education Excellence have urged a reform of our antiquated system for funding K-12 education.

This bill is not about providing more funding to education; it is about simplifying the formulas to make the existing budget more efficient and equitable. The new formula begins with dividing the money available by the number of students in California public schools. Beyond that, however, the bill adds three sets of weighted formulas to adjust for special needs students. The adjustments would be made for the following student populations: Special Education, English learners, Socio-economically Disadvantaged, Gifted and Talented. School districts would receive more funds for these students because it costs more to educate them. Students in grades 7-12 would receive slightly more funding than students in grades K-6, because of the cost of science labs, music programs, physical education facilities and other higher level requirements. Finally, districts in areas where the cost of living is much higher receive slightly more funding than those where housing costs and family income are substantially less.

This bill is an important part of reforming California’s educational system. It can make the system more equal and more understandable. It can also have a major impact on California’s student achievement gap." said Coto.

Remember to Vote on Tuesday February 5th!

On Tuesday February 5th California will hold its 2008 Presidential primary. In addition to choosing amongst presidential candidates, Santa Clara County will have the opportunity to vote on several statewide proposition and local measures.

• League of Women Voters

The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008. The last day to request a vote by mail ballot is Tuesday January 29 at 5pm.

For information on voting by mail please visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website. http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov

Election Day is the time to make your voice heard! Your vote DOES count!

Assemblymember Coto Family Literacy Day At The Tully Community Library

Where: San Jose Tully Public Library
880 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95111
When: February 2, 2007
Time: 3:30 pm

Questions: (408) 277-1220
Email: Assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov

Light Refreshments will be served.

Coto Community Spotlight - Cora Tomalinas

A former nurse and current community activist, Cora Tomalinas, has been an advocate for health and peace for three decades. She currently works with the San Jose Police Department and other community entities to combat gang violence and provide educational opportunities for at-risk youth. Cora was recently asked by city officials to serve on the City of San Jose’s delegation of the California Cities Gang Prevention Network, a collaborative of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency and National League of Cities.

Cora is the chair of San Jose First 5 Commission and a board member of the San Jose Education Foundation. She strives to connect systems and services so that they work together effectively and provide the support parents need to keep their children healthy and safe.

Assemblymember Coto congratulates Cora Tomalinas for being selected one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Woman in the United States by The Filipina Women's Network. Cora was awarded this prestigious honor at the Gala awards dinner on October 25, 2007 in Washington D.C. Cora was also awarded the prestigious California Wellness Foundation Peace Prize. The California Wellness Foundation is an independent, private foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The organization recognized Cora for her efforts to improve San Jose communities.

We honor and thank Cora Tomalinas for her dedication and commitment to the overall health and safety of the families and children in San Jose.

Coto Recommended New Year's Resolution - Spend quality time with your family

You can do many fun things at your home to connect with your loved ones but if you’re looking for other activities, listed below are some options in the San Jose area:

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Paramount's Great America
Raging Waters
San Jose Flea Market
San José Regional Parks
Winchester Mystery House

MUSEUMS

Children's Discovery
History San José
San Jose Museum of Art
The Rosicrucian Museum
The Tech Museum
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

SPORTS

San Jose Giants
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sabercats
San Jose Spiders
San Jose Stealth

VENUES

Center for the Performing Arts
HP Pavilion at San José
Le Petit Trianon
Mexican Heritage Plaza
Montgomery Theater
San José McEnery Convention Center
SJSU Events
San Jose Repertory Theatre

FAMILY STORY TIMES

Children's Discovery Museum
San Jose Libraries
Happy Hollow Zoo

Coto Community Calendar

Tech Museum Hours: Tues-Sun: 10am-5pm Body Worlds 2 Exhibit Hours: 9am-7:30pm
Organizer: The Tech Museum of Innovation
408-294-TECH
408-294-TECH
Tickets: $8-$22

International Children Assistance Network (ICAN)
New Year 2008 Celebration
Date: Sun. 1/20/08
Join ICAN as they celebrate the new 2008 year. Dinner will be provided by Golden Harvest Catering. There will also be entertainment provided by various Vietnamese singers and musical artists. Contact ICAN: 408-509-8788 or 408-509-1958.

SSV January Concert - Violins & Enigmas
Date: 01/17/08 - 01/21/08
Program will include Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Lark Ascending, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 A major Turkish, and Sir Edward Elgar Enigma Variations (Variations on an Original Theme.)

Thurs: 7:30pm Sat: 8pm Sun: 2:30pm
California Theatre
345 S. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
800-SAN-JOSE
408-277-3535

MACLA Presents: Shifting Dreams, Migrating Realities
Exhibition: 11/30/07 – 1/19/08
Issues of immigration, migration and homeland are currently at the forefront of our national debate.
Featuring work by: Carlos Cartagena, Antonio Castro, Diana Cristales-David, Katharine Gin, Richard Godinez, Consuelo Jiménez Underwood, Almudena Ortiz, Eugene Rodriguez and Favianna Rodriguez

510 South 1st Street
San Jose, CA. 95113
408/998-ARTE

Teatro Vision - School of the Americas
Opening night
Date: 01/26/07
Mexican Heritage Plaza
Production written By José Rivera, Directed by Wilma Bonet

Starring Mauricio Mendoza of the hit Showtime Series "Resurrection Blvd." as Che and Minerva García as Julia the Schoolteacher. From the Oscar-nominated creator of The Motorcycle Diaries comes a stirring account of the final days of Che Guevara.

The Commonwealth Club of California and the Mexican Heritage Plaza present:
Salon de Mexico speaker series - José Rivera
Date:Jan. 26, 2008| 12:00 noon | The Plaza Theater
$10 Commonwealth Club members; $20 Non-members
For reservations, visit www.commonwealthclub.org/sv or call 1-800-847-7730.
As part of Teatro Vision's West Coast premiere of School of the Americas, Oscar-nominated screenwriter José Rivera will be on hand to discuss the life and legacy of Che Guevera, one of Cuba's most revolutionary socialist leaders. In 2005, Rivera became the first Puerto Rican screenplay writer nominated for an Academy Award for The Motorcycle Diaries.

For more information on please contact:
Assemblymember Joe Coto's office
State Capitol, Room 2013
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.2023 (phone)
916.319.2123 (Fax)
assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov

San Jose District Office
100 Paseo de San Antonio #319
San Jose, CA 95113
408.277.1220 (phone)
408.277.1036 (fax)