Education Coalition Discusses Impact of Ongoing Cuts to Schools, Why Extended Revenues Are Necessary
Sacramento, Calif. --The California School Boards Association and other members of the Education Coalition held a press briefing on Tuesday, February 1 to outline and explain the $18 billion in state budget cuts and deferrals to public education over the last three years, the impact these unprecedented levels of cuts are having on our schools, students and education programs, and why revenues are necessary.
California’s investment in education is among the lowest compared to other states. In the last three years alone, funding for schools has been cut and deferred by more than $18 billion, or about $1,900 per student.
Governor Brown’s budget proposal provides a balanced approach to solving the deficit by proposing an extension of temporary revenues our students need and deserve. Brown’s budget also acknowledges that during the last decade other areas of the budget have grown while education funding has suffered.
While the budget proposal limits cuts to schools in 2011-12, it defers more than $2 billion in funding owed to schools and students until 2012-13. Over the last several years, more than $7 billion in funding owed to K-12 students has been deferred. Schools now receive about 80 cents for every dollar promised under state law.
Schools and students face ongoing cuts as a result of these deferrals. This comes on top of the loss of approximately $7 billion in one-time federal stimulus funding that has helped districts avoid the most severe cuts to schools and students.
Governor Brown says education is a priority, and we expect lawmakers to work with him to protect schools from further cuts and to ensure the continued investment our students deserve.
Press Briefing Participants:
- Bob Wells, Association of California School Administrators
- Rick Pratt, California School Boards Association
- Estelle Lemieux, California Teachers Association
- Steve Henderson, California School Employees Association
- Debbie Look, California State PTA
Click here to download the Press Briefing Information Packet.