Gary Thomas, Ed.D. County Superintendent

Superintendent's Message

May Revise By Governor Means More Budget Cuts For Education

While there were no big surprises in the state budget May revisions announced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, there also was little good news to report for public education. With the state facing a $19.1 billion shortfall in revenues, school districts around the state have been bracing for another round of cuts to public education.

Those most certainly are going to be taking place for the next fiscal year in 2010-11, as the state legislature prepares to pass a budget that goes into effect on July 1. Districts in San Bernardino County, as well as those around the state, have been bracing for more cuts, whether it be in the form of layoffs to certificated or classified staff, program cuts or other reductions to their education programs.

After absorbing more than $18 billion in cuts to K-12 public education over the past two years, this has been a tremendously difficult period for schools to assess their financial options. According to the governor's latest budget proposal in May, here are the latest figures and projections:

For the Proposition 98 guarantee for public education, the May revision would provide $49.9 billion for the 2009-10 fiscal year and $48.4 billion in 2010-11 for K-14 programs. Those figures are some $5.5 billion lower compared to the minimum level required by bills signed by the governor as part of the July 2009 budget agreement.

For K-12 funding, the governor has proposed reducing the 2010-11 revenue limit funding by $1.5 billion. Revenue limit funding is the general purpose funding for schools. In addition, the newest proposal would lower funding for K-3 class size reduction by $550 million to reduce revenue limit and categorical funding for school districts and county offices of education by $206 million due to lower cost-of-living adjustments or COLA.

There also is a proposal to eliminate $1.4 billion in funding for child-care programs that includes provisions funded through the CALWORKS program. It would require Stage 2 and 3 child care programs in CALWORKS be funded by the Alternative Payment Program that is capped and based on eligibility.

Because of another state budget crisis, this means our schools will have larger class sizes, fewer programs and services. Extracurricular activities like athletics and the arts are being reduced or cut. We'll have few librarians, custodians, counselors, nurses and teachers.

Earlier this spring, county school districts sent out more than 1,000 layoff notices in March to certificated staff and have been working diligently with classified, certificated and management staff on concessions to hopefully elevate large numbers of layoffs. Even so, 10 of our county's 33 districts have "qualified" interim budgets, which means they are having difficulties meeting their financial obligations over the next three budget years.

Our County Schools' office will be working closely with all the districts in the county to provide guidance and service to help them through these difficult economic conditions. The state's budget crisis, coupled with the national economic downturn, has severe consequences for all Californians, but the consequences to our schools will have long-term effects. If we are going to secure the future economy of this state and nation, our funding of public schools is an investment we cannot afford to cut.

As the discussions on the budget take place in Sacramento, it's vital that parents of students and communities that back public education make their voices heard with legislators. Short-changing our students' educations will have a profound effect on the long-term economic viability of our region and state.