Education: Investing in our Future, Investing in our Kids

As your Assemblymember, education funding will be Kriss's number one priority. In spite of legislative gridlock and paralyzing budget cuts, education must be protected – not only is it the morally right thing to do, it's in our state's best interests. California schools rank almost last in the nation in per-pupil spending – but we can do better. We can have some of the best schools in the country once again, and Kriss will bring progressive leadership to Sacramento to fight for better public schools – both K-12 and higher education. For over a decade, Kriss has succeeded in moving millions of dollars around within a small city budget – he'll take these skills to Sacramento and fight to make sure we're investing in a solid future for California's kids.

Kriss's Priorities

Restore semblance of democracy and reduce budget/funding threshold to 55%: Even with a Democratic Governor, a two-thirds majority in the Legislature is a giant barrier to progress in our schools. Kriss will actively work to lower the budget approval threshold to 55 or 60% in order to better fund public education. Over the past decade he has successfully fought alongside parents, teachers, and students to reduce the threshold on school ballot measures, resulting in the increase of funding in school districts across the state. At the local level, Kriss has often taken lead roles in tax and bond measures designed to increase revenues to our schools.

Better pay and for teachers and support staff: Working alongside teachers in the Berkeley Unified School District, Kriss has successfully fought to secure higher teacher pay for local educators. Kriss understands that teachers who are given the resources will lead to students who are prepared for the future. His practical, hands-on approach as a City Councilmember is just what is needed in Sacramento. Kriss will prioritize teacher pay and the provision of adequate resources and a stable environment for teachers in the classroom, so that our children benefit most.

Restoring Community College, CSU, and UC funding: For too long, higher education has been put on the backburner for funding. The State has repeatedly balanced the budget on the backs of students and families, and this dangerous trend needs to stop. Representing a city council district that includes UC Berkeley, Kriss has worked with campus officials, workers, and students to address the needs of higher education. He will stand up to the unfair tax on the middle class than student fee increases have created.

Addressing the achievement gap for low income and minority students: We all know that the public education system serves our students differently. Kriss has actively worked with the education community as a city councilmember to find funding for after-school programs, the high school health center, and teen programming. In addition to programming, we must redefine academic standards for our children. No Child Left Behind and narrow-minded standardized testing has shifted our emphasis away from preparing students for post-academic rigors. Kriss will support efforts to find alternative metrics and ways to enhance our children’s learning.

Universal preschool access: Kriss's passion for education includes a strong commitment to early childhood education, vocational and career technical education, and comprehensive opportunities at the college and university levels. Preschool serves a dual purpose of providing childcare and a concrete academic foundation for young children. I was a strong supporter of Proposition 82, and he still believe that an upper-class tax can be a realistic funding option to achieve this goal.

Kriss's Track Record

• Recently fought alongside Berkeley school teachers to secure higher teacher salaries and benefits.
• Actively lobbied for universal pre-school and supported Proposition 82 to provide universal preschool through upper-class taxes.
• Strongly opposed the take away proposals that threaten existing pension agreements. Employers who negotiated these benefits should follow through on their promises. We need to halt involuntary cash balance conversions and all other cutbacks in pension benefits, and we need to secure cost of living adjustments whenever possible.
• Stood with college and university students to lobby for more State funding UC, CSU, and community colleges. Spoke before the Regents on numerous occasions.
• Worked with the school board, youth commission, parents, teachers, and students to find funding opportunities through the City general fund to support after-school programs, health services, and general programming for teens.
• Appointed over 80 students to City commissions, more than all the City Councilmembers in Berkeley's history combined. Kriss understands the importance of engaging our youth and developing civically-engaged leadership.
• Helped elect 7 U.C. Berkeley students to the City's Rent Board.
• Fought for and successfully won over 1,000 beds of more student housing closer to the UC Berkeley campus when the previous chancellor said it could not be done.