let’s make lots of money.

time is money. big money. take the money and run. dirty cash.

mo money mo problems. money talks. i getformoney. the love of money.

my money.

i got money now.

all about the benjamins. money, that’s what i want.

money maker.

money makes the world go round.

show me the money.

money to blow. addicted to money. cash rules everything around me.

gold digger. got money. baby i got your money.

free money. show me the money.

money can’t buy me love.

money for nothing.

color of money.

material girl.

get this money. easy money. money tree.

money, money, money. taking care of business. she works hard for her money. time and money.

money can’t buy it.

if you’ve got the money, i’ve got the time.

what do you do for money honey? how to be a millionarie. money in the bank. money changes everything. money ain’t a thang. with plenty of money and you.

when the money’s gone. money honey. world with no money.blue money.

when the money’s gone.

of money. mozart’s money. everyday i think put the money down. blood money. billion dollar babies. brick money. money in my pocket. money in my pocket. lend you the money. time

& money. money’s too tight to mention.

life is my money and i want my money back. beg, steal or borrow. take the money and run. working for the yankee dollar. it’s yer money i’m after baby. baby you’re a rich man.

cash n’ carry. good for my money. street money. love ain’t money. get dis money. if i had a million dollars.

billionaire.

money worries.

money making machine. daddy’s money.

it’s money that i love

lawyers, guns and money. it's money that matters. money back guarantee.

money, power and respect. sh ain’t blue money. take the money and run. you never give me your money. money jane.

bills, bills, bills.

making music for money.

they want money. your ca nothin’ but trash

she’s got all the friends that money can buy.

money makes the world go round. standing outside a broken phone booth. money. gimme your money please. money bought. milk and money.

mucho money.

if money talks, it ain’t on speaking terms with me.

what is success.

taxman. get your money up.

with money in my hand.

money don’t matter 2 night.

1 for the money.life is a lemon and i want my money back. fame monster. i’d rather be rich. the money will roll right in. rich girl. money changes everything. the money song.

ballad of the rich. the dollar song.

that’s where my money goes. got money. pay me my money down. money. all that money wants. time & money.

mo money mo problems.

the money’s gone. spendin’ money.when put yer money where yer mouth is. money, power and respect.

blood money. take the money and run. when the money’s gone. taking care of business. it’s yer money i’m after baby. if money talks, it ain’t on speaking terms with me. dirty cash. money ain’t a thang. let’s make lots of money. world with no money. mozart’s money. ballad of the rich. lawyers, guns and money.king money.

i got money now.get dis money. money tree. it’s money that i love. money to blow.

money for nothing.

this money.if my nose was running money. brick money. money talks.all get about the benjamins. mo money mo problems. for the love of money.

billion dollar babies. time is money. my money. money bought. easy money. blue money.

money maker.

lend you the money.

with plenty of money and you. good for my money. how to be a millionarie. mucho money.

take the money and run. money can’t buy me love. material girl. big money. money in my pocket. love ain’t money.life is a lemon and i want my money back. money honey.

time & money.

cash rules everything around me.

baby i got your money.

what do you do for money honey?

money, money, money.

in-depth

THE PROSPECTOR

Unearthing our school and students’ fiscal roots.

Funding 101: The path money travels to get to our school HARINI JAGANATHAN news editor

O

ur school procures funds from a myriad of sources, but ultimately, money for this school comes from taxes. The issue of school funding in California goes back to 1978 when Proposition 13 was passed in the state of California. The proposition was a result of a ruling in the California Supreme Court that decreed that funding public schools entirely based on property taxes is unconstitutional. The state sets a standard based on property taxes paid by homeowners and business owners. If property taxes in a certain district do not meet that bar, then the state fills in the gap with additional funding per pupil. These districts are known as Revenue Limit districts and employ a principle called Average Daily Attendance in which pupil attendance directly affects how much the school is funded. The nearby Cupertino Union School District, which the feeder middle schools Hyde and Lawson are a part of, is one such district. Contrary to popular belief, Average Daily Attendance does not play a role in our school’s budget. The Fremont Union High School District falls under a different category called Basic Aid. Property taxes in Basic Aid districts exceed the bar set by the state; thus, these districts are primarily locally funded. 97% of this school’s budget comes from local property taxes and is granted to

the school by the district based on the number of students attending in a given year and is fixed for that particular year. This money is subdivided into several categories including a General Fund, which can be likened to a household budget that pays for maintenance, safety and basic supplies like paper. The Measure B parcel tax passed by voters last year also falls under the portion of money granted to our school by the district. This provides 5000000 dollars and has been used towards keeping teachers from being laid off or put on furlough, as other schools have had to do during the past recession. The Measure B bond provides money for projects like the renovations that are currently underway. In addition to the money provided by the district, the state and federal governments allot money for specific uses. The federal government provides money specifically for English language learners. This money allows for smaller class sizes so that students in these programs can learn English faster. Another such categorical fund is for Gifted and Talented students, which provides supplemental money for AP classes. This fund allows AP teachers to attend College Board conferences, as well as provides additional money for more sophisticated equipment. The state provides an instructional materials fund which goes towards the purchases of textbooks and online database subscriptions. Principal Kami Tomberlain works with the School Site Council and

AS CA SAL

academic department heads to establish priorities in spending. Most spending is standard from year to year, said Tomberlain, but some years there are certain priorities, for example, Challenge Day is a priority this year. “These are taxpayer dollars, no matter how you slice it, so as schools and school leaders, you have to be responsible for spending money in a careful way so that it best meets the needs of your students and best attends to the goals you have as a school,” said Tomberlain. Local, state and federal funds provide the money needed for this school to operate. These funds are often restricted for specific uses, and it is the duty of the district, administration, and individual departments to ensure that money is spent wisely.

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Follow our roots:

bottom line:

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T in he c PE P NS fo lud RO e ES r o s p SP :$ u u E 60 r s bl CT 00 ch ica O .00 oo tio R: / $ l pa ns Th 55 pe fee is 67 r. s .00 T h in cl e N fe ud U es ed G EX fo s GE PE NS ye r o pub T: ES arb ur lic Thi : $ oo sch at s 60 k o ion 0 . ol EX

/ $ 38 40 35 31 .37 6.3 1

A ad TH EX fi m LE P c T IN EN ials issio ICS CO SE , s n : M S: $ up sa Th E: 4 pl les is $3 65 ies , f in 10 00 a ee clu 00 .00 nd s f de .00 / aw or ds / $ $50 ard of28 00 s. SO 05 0.4 cl C 7.6 3 u I cu de AL 2 da sto s E d n fo c di ec VE EX od e l al a ora NT as oc n ti S P IN ENS we ati d s ons : Th CO ES ll on ec , D is M : $2 as t f uity J f in e e E: 1 $3 53 icke es, fe es, 50 2.3 t s a es, 00 2 a n .00 / $ les. d 2

Each root represents a path in which money made from ASB card sales is divided. Follow the roots to find each path. Key to following the ROOTS: Numbers before the slash represent the projected budget for 2009-2010. Numbers after the slash represent the actual money spent. Numbers highlighted in red run over the expected rates. Numbers in green amount to a form of profit.

total expenses - $154000.00 / $152

OCTOBER 1, 2010

Corner Notes with Lisa Balga

Our school’s financial specialist speaks out about her job and what it’s like handling our school’s finances

Q: What does your job consist of? A: Accounts payable, accounts receivable, (I pay bills for the school, produce bills that go out to members of our community and district), count money, make deposits, monitor cash flow, reconcile bank accounts (make sure financial accounts match up), write purchase orders, sell ASB cards, PE clothes, PSATs, AP tests, manage facility rentals, make and reconcile cash boxes for games, order workbooks and equipment, prom orders, delinquencies, help with committees and budget their funding and track and develop the budget for the entire school. Q: What time does your day start? When does your day end? A: I work from 8 to 4:30. I stay late if there’s a football game or dance. It changes. I stay sometimes until 6, sometimes 7, sometimes 10. Q: What’s your favorite part of your job? A: Working with the kids. Q: How many kids do you see on an average day? A: Sometimes I can see 300 kids a day, especially when I’m selling PSAT tests and tickets to a dance or something. But I would say close to 75 to 100 kids a day. Q: What’s your least favorite part? A: Delinquencies. I hate delinquencies. The lines are incredibly long; the kids get grouchy and irritable. Q: Why did you choose this job in particular as a financial specialist?

SB ARD LES

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top of that, I still have to do all my daily duties too, which at time can become extremely stressful. Q: And what would be the most satisfying part? A: When I get little notes from the kids, or they come in and tell me, “Thank you so much for everything.” This year, there was a group of kids that actually made me dog tags for their dance group. That’s the most rewarding thing. Q: Why did you choose to work at Cupertino? A: You know, when I first applied for this job, I had no idea it would be at Cupertino. I didn’t even know this school existed during my interview! And when I got here and met the people and started working with them, I just fell in love with it. It’s an awesome place to work, with great people to work with. We truly are like a family. I never want to leave. Q: Where did you get your financial skills from? A: My mom. When we were growing up, she taught us about finances, how to bargain, how to pay a WILLIE WANG little and get a lot, how to balance your checkbook and manage our household, all that stuff. I never reQ: What is the most stressful part of ally took too many classes... Well I did take your job. Isn’t dealing with so much some classes because I wanted to be a cormoney a bit scary? porate lawyer. But it really was all my mom. A: [Handling money] can be, but I would Q: Now you are a big country fan, so say the scariest part is when I have a long who is your favorite country singer? line. You want to help the kids as fast as A: It would have to be Zach Brown. I want possible, but it takes a long time. And on to see him in concert so bad.

Lisa Balga

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COMPILED BY ALYA OMAR

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A: I didn’t really choose it, I kind of just fell into it. I’ve always done financing stuff. I previously did a combination of financing, graphic design, part counseling, part student functions. I started here as a college and career counselor in 2002. I had done that for so long and I wanted something different, so when this job was open in 2004, I applied for it!

total income - $155000.00 / $159402.23

COMPILED BY JACKIE BREUER ALL ARTWORK BY EMILY CHENG

in-depth Going gaga for gaga won’t save your moolah

OCTOBER 1, 2010

THE PROSPECTOR

JACKIE BREUER in-depth editor

Lady Gaga may have won six MTV Video Music Awards and she may be the icon for just about everything, but one thing she is not right about is the way she spends her money. Lady Gaga’s song, “ Money Honey,” revolves around the idea that money’s only purpose is to be spent. She even sings, “It’s good to live expensive”. And it seems that not only is the song catchy, but the idea behind it, that money only represents materialism, is as well. Contrary to Lady Gaga’s beliefs, I would like to hope that saving money stands for something more, like security and protection. However, the society I was raised in, a society obsessed with worth and spending, does not take note of my

savings account. Rather it focuses on the activity of my checking account - my daily spending, making it an inhospitable environment for teenagers to learn how to properly handle an income. I grew up receiving a minimum allowance. The amount increased as I aged, but it was always just enough to scrape by, even though I did not have a need for ample spending. For a while, I received forty dollars a month. It did not seem like much at the time, but it taught me how to save, versus how to

33.8%

37.8%

less than $5

less than $15

spend. Yet, recently I acquired a job and my monthly income increased exponentially. Suddenly, I had all this money and had no clue what do with it. I was soon influenced by fellow peers to spend. Instead of saving my money, I shopped. I bought a dress, glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs, whatever I thought at that moment I needed. In reality, I had no need for glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs, but I learned to spend, to waste away my newly found income. Even so,this rampant spending, must have trickled down from the older generation. Our economy is based entirely on credit, allowing people to rack up massive debts in order to achieve the idea of success - materialism. It has led to severe consequences that have now seeped into this generation’s mind and wallet. The mindset of our generation needs to change. Instead of “SPEND, SPEND, SPEND,” we need to “SAVE, SAVE, SAVE”. People should not be judged based on what they are able to buy, but rather what they are able to save. Seeing my savings account grow should make me just as giddy as buying a new dress.

5.7%

20.6%

2.1%

less than $50

less than $30

more than $50

How much money do you spend per week? 296 students were polled about how much money they dole out each week. Find where you fit in. Are you a stingy spender or do you show ya’ money like T-Pain?

COMPILED BY AMAR KANTIPUDI

Do you think you know your money?

A penny yearned is a penny earned The thought of taking on adult responsibilities and owning their own business is something teenagers would usually avoid. However, this is not the case for senior Belinda Ha. In the span of a year, Ha has started her own business, created an original clothing line and already has her potential dream career waiting for her after high school. “The initial idea started during my early sophomore year when I wanted to make custom ‘Girls on the Dance Floor’ shirts for Far East Movement at the ISA concert,” said Ha. From there she continued to stencil and spray paint more designs for sports teams and clubs. In November of 2009, she finally decided to launch her own clothing line, Aholics Royale. “I wanted to use this apparel line as a method of sharing my art with the masses. It’s honestly one of the most effective ways of getting [my artwork] out there,” said Ha. “I’m currently trying to gain more knowledge of this industry through a design internship.” Ha takes care of everything, from the initial designs to shipping and processing. With the money she earns from this business, she keeps to keep her clothing line going. “However, in the future, when I become a business tycoon, I hope to use profits to

fund charitable causes, especially the ones that target third world countries,” said Ha. Her dream career of designing clothes and owning a business is close to becoming reality. Although Ha’s parents would rather have her pursue a medical career, she remains hopeful. “I would love to work for a larger mainstream company or, if possible, establish my own company that would obviously rival the big names.” Said Ha.“When you see a company like Breezy Excursion make it in the industry starting off of only $800, you definitely have a lot of respect for how much they accomplished with such a small amount of seed money.” The combination of experiencing the stress involved to make profit in a business and learning to handle money on her own has made Ha realize that if people have to work this hard to make profit, they might as well do something they love. As for the moment, Ha has Aholics Royale currently on the back burner with a mentor’s company helping her out with sales. “For now,” Ha said, “I’m just doing my internship and trying to get a foot in the door. Hopefully somewhere in the near future, this industry will become my life.” And Ha is correct- with her experience and prowess, clothing design will quickly become her life.

Find answers at bootom. COMPILED BY TESS WU

1] The DOLLAR SIGN ($) orginated from writing a U on to of an S, representing the United States.

TRUE or FALSE

2] The ink used on bills is magnetic, a characteristic that vending machine uses to determine authenticity.

TRUE or FALSE

3] One million dollars in single dollar bills would weigh about a ton.

TRUE or FALSE

4] A $1 bill lasts 18 months; $5 bill, two years; $10 bill, three years; $20 bill, four years; and $50 and $100 bills, nine years. Worn or damaged bills are taken out of circulation and replaced.

TRUE or FALSE

CHS Speaks Up ‘

5] Coins have ridges because people in the past would take advantage of coins’ irregular shapes to shave off some metal to save for later. Ridges prevented that from happening.

TRUE or FALSE

6] According to the Treasury Department, money is green because: 1) Green ink was available in large quantities back when paper money was first being printed, 2) It is more impermeable to chemical and physical changes and 3) Green gives people the sense of “good, stable credit”.

TRUE or FALSE

7] Martha Washington is the only woman ever to appear on a U.S. bill.

TRUE or FALSE

Answers: True, True, True, True, True, True, True

MICHELLE CHEUNG lifestyle’s assistant

Take this quiz and find out how well you know your good ole’ Uncle Sam.

How do you feel ASB spends their money?

I really don’t know how the school spends its money. Its the fact that I don’t know that says something.

SENIOR Chelsea Voss

I think they’ll do better if they supply clubs with the money or build a new gym or something, something that’ll last longer.

JUNIOR

Ajay Yalamchi

“I think some of it is a little unreasonable, and some of their money could be spent maybe on better uniforms for the teams, but otherwise it is benefitial.”

SOPHOMORE

Prachi Joshi

I think we are a bit too frivolous in our rallies, because there is so much paint, but otherwise ASB is very accurate with its money.

FRESHMAN Julia Jung

COMPILED BY NIKHIL KANTHI PHOTOS BY WILLIE WANG