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"Proposed budget threatens academic gains"
By M. Magdalena Carrillo Mejia, PhD
The proposed budget
reductions by our Governor threaten the forward momentum of student
success in
Sacramento
Unified School District’s schools. Student progress is due to many
factors: employee commitment to raising student achievement; strong
family and community partnerships; and excellent leadership by our
Board of Education, which maintains its focus on ensuring the Success
of Every Student by Name. With much creativity and hardship, we have
weathered cuts to our general fund of more than $70 million over the
past six years.
Despite these cuts
we have achieved extraordinary gains. High School enrollment has
increased as a result of the District’s reform initiative which has
created rigorous study options for students to pursue in high school
that are relevant and prepare them for both college and career.
Attendance and graduation rates have increased. Passage rates on the
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) are greater and dropout
rates have also decreased. The numbers of students proficient in
English and Math continue to grow. I am extremely proud that
achievement is increasing for a greater number of our Latino, African
American, and Asian students as we remain steadfast on closing the
achievement gap. This progress is significant. However we are now
facing state budget cuts which threaten all that we have done.
Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger has proposed $4.4 billion in cuts to K-12 education
in the 2008-09
proposed state budget by suspending Proposition 98. Proposition 98,
approved by voters two decades ago, set a minimum level of guaranteed
funding for
California’s schools. Yet even with passage of Proposition 98,
California still ranks 46th nationally in per pupil
spending.
What do those
proposed cuts mean for Sac City? Suspending Proposition 98 would mean
an $18 million loss of funding to our District in 2008-09, compounded
by the loss in revenue due to declining enrollment, and the State not
fully funding mandated programs. The total budget reductions for our
District in the 2008-09 school year is approximately $25 million in
addition to the $70 million already reduced in recent years. A total
of $95 million! These reductions break faith with our children, our
families and the voters who approved Proposition 98.
These funding
losses jeopardize staffing, class size reductions, and co-curricular
activities such as speech and debate, the arts, and sports programs
that engage students, provide positive student/adult interaction, and
foster career and academic interests. If a budget reflects priorities,
what do the Governor’s proposals reveal about his priorities for
California’s children?
In May, after the
state receives actual revenue figures for 2008, the Governor will
revise his proposals, and he will negotiate a final spending plan with
the Legislature. Californians may expect a final budget during the
summer even though school districts across the state have taken, and
must continue to take, precautionary fiscal measures in the coming
weeks should the Governor’s proposed reductions be ratified. During
these difficult months, please know that we will remain focused on our
goal of ensuring the success of every student by name. We will seek
public input for new ideas to secure new revenue streams for
Sac
City
and continue to look for additional ways to reduce expenditures. We
will continue to work with all of the District’s stakeholders to meet
these challenges.
However, we cannot
let the Governor’s proposals stand, and we are working with other
school districts to lobby the Legislature for approval of a different
spending plan for
California. We want a spending plan that enhances, not
threatens the future of our students. The Board of Education and I are
committed to meeting these challenges as
we stay focused on
the continued progress of our students and District. Please contact
your elected officials to let them know how you feel about the
Governor’s proposed cuts to education funding and the impact his
proposed funding cuts will have on our student’s academic progress.
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