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Education Coalition Says "No More Cuts"
Members of the Education Coalition and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell held a press briefing on Oct. 20 to discuss the impact of current budget cuts on school programs, and to urge legislators and the governor not to make any further reductions in funding. Representatives of school boards, teachers and the California State PTA described how schools are already dealing with the severe cuts that were signed into law as part of the recently adopted state budget. With state revenues already falling below projections in that budget, there is talk of a special session being convened to consider more cuts.
Barbara Ledterman, California State PTA Vice-President for Education, said parents across the state are seeing firsthand how children are suffering because of the state's budget cuts to public schools. "More and more, our parents are being asked to foot the bill for basic services and supplies," Ledterman said. "From pencil sharpeners, copy paper, paper clips and LCD bulbs to computers, art programs, librarians, counselors and health clerks - our public schools are being forced to lean on parents and PTAs to fund basic necessities. Parents have always been wiling to help out and to pitch in as best they can, but public education is the top priority of our state's constitution - and when parents are asked to help fund basic programs and services at our school, it's a clear sign we have cut too deeply."
