Gary Thomas, Ed.D. County Superintendent

Superintendent's Message

State Budget Situation Goes From Bad To Worse

The news from Sacramento concerning the state budget seemingly gets worse with every headline updating the situation. While California faces a deficit of more than $41 billion by 2010, the consequences of that large shortfall are resonating catastrophically for education funding.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls for the state education budget to take a hit of more than $2.1 billion this fiscal year that runs through June 30, 2009. Then for the 2009-10 budget, he calls on the state education budget to take another $6 billion in reductions as part of more than $17.4 billion in cuts he is proposing to make up the deficit.

As part of his proposed reductions for next year, the governor is calling for a reduction in the school year of five days. Proposing to reduce the school year during a time when schools are working diligently to improve academic achievement sends the wrong message to our staff and students. We can't afford to lose five days of instructional time with our students; and the feasibility of districts across the state negotiating reductions at the local level for a reduced school calendar year is unlikely.

These cuts would be to a system that already ranks 47^th out of 50 states, according to Education Week, in per-pupil funding. They would affect schools already that are overcrowded and have some of the worst student-to-counselor and student-to-school nurse ratios of any state. While California boasts world-class academic standards for its students, its funding leaves much to be desired.

With high percentages of its funds tied into salaries and benefits for employees, districts face the unpopular decisions of where to make cuts in already lean budgets. For students to have to suffer the consequences of politicians who cannot repair the systemic problems that exist with the budget is unconscionable. Lawmakers must put their differences aside and come to agreement on a structural solution to the budget. The solution must include a source of stable revenue for school operations. In addition, there needs to be a fix to the structural deficit, but not on the backs of students. It will be important for all of us as educational stakeholders to be together on this and speak with a common voice for our students.

Time and again, the public has made it clear to our legislators that we need to invest more, not less, in our schools, and we need to do it right.

The fact that California spends $1,900 less per pupil than the national average is shameful. Stanford University did a study called "Getting Down to Facts," where it examined how our state underfunds its public schools. The study found that the state needed to spend 40 percent more so that all students could meet the state's rigorous standards. It also showed how states like New York spent 75 percent more on students than California does.

Certainly, with the uncertain economic climate, it would not be prudent to suggest that additional funding for education is going to make times better, however, California seems to be headed in the opposite direction of supporting education. It is imperative that those with vested interests in education - parents, business leaders, community organizers, as well as those who work in our schools - continue to make their voices heard with their political leaders. Our state needs to find long-term solutions to its budgetary problems so that a stable funding source is dedicated to education, ensuring an environment where the important work of preparing students for the 21^st century workforce can flourish.