Help Save California's Schools

[SoonerShankle]

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts are wreaking havoc in our state's schools. Approximately 60% of the districts in the state will be insolvent without drastically cutting their current budgets. For the next school year, school districts have to base their budgets on the current budget proposal with 10% across the board cuts -- nearly $5 Billion (yes, with a B). My local district is in the process of cutting over $9 Million for next year. To put that in real terms, think over $9,000 per classroom. We are laying off over 90 teachers, but keeping the same number of kids. We are dropping vital arts, music, and career technical classes. The district is even laying off administrators. We are a low wealth district that already has administrative and teacher retention problems because we pay less than surrounding districts, but now we have to cut quality teachers who won't have education related jobs to go to. So when the money situation finally begins to rebound, my son won't have the same quality of teacher candidates to fill those positions in his classrooms because they will have moved on to other states or other professions. This budget devastates California, bumping us from 46th nationally in per pupil expenditures to 49th in the nation. We are racing to last place! Way to go, Sacramento!

Please write to your local legislators, especially the Republicans who are holding out for the budget to balance strictly with cuts. Let them know that if they are Dems they must show the backbone they need to protect vital state services (schools are only one facet affected--1 in 5 beaches and state parks will close, Medi-Cal is in for deep cuts, nonviolent offenders will be released from prison without serving their prison terms, etc.). We must let Sacramento know that they must do the right thing by Californians. Invest in the people of California--its kids, its elderly, its hard workers. Invest in the infrastructure--schools, roads, mass transit. Invest in correcting decades of tangled, misguided budget laws. Find the solutions you were hired to find!

For more information visit: http://www.protectourstudents.org

[Kerrytravelers]

1. I am a teacher in California.

We have already been told not to expect any kind of pay raise or step increase next year due to budget cuts.

[proud patriot]

2. We are looking at a massive crisis in our district

lots of layoffs etc...

I'm a SEA

[SoonerShankle]

3. Unfortunately, this will be the story for a majority of the school...

districts across the state. People won't react until they feel the pain. I've written four letters so far, and am writing more and more each day. I've spearheaded educating the teachers in my district by working with the superintendent, who is equally mortified, to create talking points, phone scripts, and sample letters. The PTA, CSEA, SEIU, ACSA, and other local unions are posting and promoting the letter writing as well. I have a student at my site who will be hand delivering letters to Sacramento in early March. We are trying desperately to engage people because this is a crisis of unparalleled proportions.

A friend of mine says that layoffs are eminent in her district in Temecula Valley. Here in Torrance we are laying off over 90. Riverside is sending pink slips to over 300 teachers. Palos Verdes has already voted to layoff over 30 teachers. This list is only going to grow, especially as a second round of cuts will probably accompany the Governor's May Revise.

It's definitely time for action!