Save our Schools - California Budget Cuts

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Author: Matt D.

Started: May 5, 2008, 5:18:36 pm

Target: Governor Schwarzenegger

Category: Education

Supporters:

Goal:

100,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

To address the state’s estimated $14 billion deficit, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed the largest reduction to education
funding in California history. For 2008-2009, the Governor has proposed that the Legislature suspend Proposition 98 (the
minimum funding guarantee for schools) and cut $4.4 billion (more than (9%) in education funds. The Governor has also
proposed $400 million in education funding reductions in the current 2007-08 budget year. When spread across the 6 million
students enrolled in California’s public schools, $4.8 billion in cuts equates to $800 per student or:
• $24,000 for a classroom of 30 students
• $500,000 for an elementary school of 625 students
$2 million for a high school of 2500 students
The County Office of Education estimates that these cuts will force half of San Diego’s school districts to file a qualified or
negative certification stating they cannot meet their financial obligations. School districts are required by law to provide layoff
notices by March 15. If these cuts go through as proposed, we can expect:
• Class sizes to increase by as much as a third
• The loss of reading specialists and other interventions
• Fewer counselors and class selections for middle and high school students
• Significant cuts in transportation, music and art programs.

Despite having high accountability standards, California already spends almost $1,900 less per student than
the national average, and our student-to-staff ratio is one of the highest in the country. How can a state with
the 8th largest economy in the world be content to rank 46th nationally for education funding? Expecting our
schools to do more with less simply defies logic and is fundamentally inconsistent with the state’s goal of
improving student achievement.
It doesn’t take a budget expert to know that at an estimated $800 per student, these cuts will have a
profoundly negative impact on our children. In February, the County Superintendent of Schools announced
that the Governor’s proposal would force at least half of the school districts in San Diego to file a qualified or
negative certification because they won’t be able to meet their financial obligations. At PUSD that will mean
increased class sizes, the elimination of many AP classes, the elimination of many extra curricular and sports
programs, and devastating cuts to art and music programs.
While it is clear there are extraordinary challenges in balancing the state’s budget, our students and schools
did not create this budget problem, and their progress should not be undermined because of it. The governor’s
proposal for across-the-board cuts and the suspension of Proposition 98 contradicts California voter’s
unwavering support for this minimum funding guarantee and their consistent ranking of public education at the
top of their priority list.
A state budget proposal that looks at cuts alone is not a real solution. All options need to be on the table,
including revenue enhancements. The Legislature must find a long-term solution to California’s roller coaster
system of financing and the chronic under-funding of our schools. Until we confront the downward spiral of our
public education funding system we risk not only the future of our children, but the future of our state's
economy and its ability to compete in an increasingly competitive global environment.
When you campaigned for election, you expressed to your constituents that education was one of your top
priorities. Now we need your help in keeping that promise to our children and the six million children attending
California’s public schools.