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PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND OTHER EDUCATORS DETAIL DEVASTATING IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Coalition Calls on Legislature to Reject Education Funding Cuts, Uphold Prop. 98
 RIVERSIDE – Today (February 13, 2008) a local coalition of parents and educators held a press conference to discuss the real impact on local schools of the Governor’s proposed $4.8 billion cut to education funding, including $320 million in cuts to Riverside County schools. They called upon members of the Legislature to uphold Prop. 98, the minimum school funding guarantee, and reject the draconian proposed cuts to schools and students. (View video - QuickTime. More budget information - pdf)
“The Governor’s proposal passes the state’s budget problems onto local students and schools and holds them accountable for a problem they didn’t create,” said Mimi Badura, president of the 23rd District of California State PTA, Riverside County. “We believe our students deserve better, and that the future of our state depends on the investments we make now in education.”
The proposed cuts are the equivalent of cutting more than $7.76 million per school district, or more than $24,000 per classroom.
“This budget is a giant step backward for our students and our schools,” said Mark Lawrence, President of the Riverside City Teachers Association. “How can we expect to improve student learning if leaders undermine Prop. 98 and turn back the clock on school funding? Our legislators need to reject this short-sighted proposal.”
Locally, the proposed cuts could mean laying off teachers, bus drivers, janitors, food service workers, maintenance workers and other education support professionals. It could also result in increased class sizes, shortening the school year, or eliminating music, art and career technical education programs.
In addition, by passing the problem onto local school districts and county offices, many will incur higher borrowing costs and reduced credit ratings for the future. That means even less money will be available to schools for basic needs.
“The resources being provided to our schools do not match the expectations we have set for them,” said Riverside County Superintendent Kenneth M. Young. “The state cannot continue to shortchange California’s schools and expect them to make gains in student achievement. Our state leaders need to give their full support for California's future and stop cutting education funds.”
According to Education Week, in the last two years, California has dropped from 43rd to 46th in per-pupil spending, which is nearly $1,900 below the national average.
“When the state makes cuts to our schools, far too often vital employees like school bus drivers, custodians and food service workers are the first to be let go,” said Fran Stevens of the Menifee Council of Classified Employees, AFT. “It’s bad for California’s students when the jobs of educators and school employees are jeopardized.”
“Education is an investment we cannot afford to cut,” said Maggie Little, Corona-Norco Unified Board member and President of the Riverside County School Boards Association “Cutting education is fundamentally inconsistent with the state's goal of improving student achievement.”
“Voters passed Prop. 98 almost 20 years ago to ensure our students and schools receive minimum funding,” said Barbara Tooker, Temecula Valley USD Board Member and CSBA Regional Director. “They strongly reaffirmed their support for the minimum funding law in 2005. Proposals to suspend Prop. 98 conflict with the will of the voters and jeopardize the minimum education funding levels Prop. 98 provides for students and schools.”
“Every child deserves to receive the best possible education—nothing less,” said Kasey McCall, president of California School Employees Association Riverside County Office of Education Chapter 693. “The governor’s proposed budget does exactly the opposite.”
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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